Types of Coffee BeansBehind every cup of coffee we enjoy there are beans that have been carefully graded. These beans are graded on the size, color and shape.
The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, except that they can't have more than 3 defects (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica, are the most popular kind of bean in the world. According to the legend, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goatherder Ethiopia after he noticed that his livestock had more energy when they consumed the fruits of the plant. This led him to try roasting and making the seeds into the drink we all know and love to this day.
There are a variety of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favourite brews - arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered superior to the latter, and this is evident in the taste of the finished beverage.
There are many different arabica cultivars. Each one has its own distinct taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most popular arabica cultivars. All other arabica varieties were developed from these two varieties either through natural mutations, or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolate flavor.
The flavor of an arabica variety depends on the conditions in which it was planted, and also the way it was handled and roasted. The shade trees receive will have a major impact on the final product.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most well-known variety of coffee beans. They are utilized in the majority of instant coffees, and they contain twice as much caffeine than Arabica
barista coffee beans Beans. They also are used to make many blends of espresso - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte, and many other beverages that are coffee-based.
The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated around the globe. It is able to grow at lower altitudes and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a more convenient crop for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
The robusta plant is an excellent coffee, but it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica bean for their top products since it's considered to be lower-quality coffee.
However, the demand for gourmet coffee is increasing and small roasters are trying out robusta varieties that are high-end to profit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance of the strength and flavor. These are carefully obtained from Uganda where robusta was grown for hundreds of years. You can learn more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica
barista coffee beans beans are rare and are not often used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the total consumption of coffee beans and are often overlooked as they do not have the same amount of caffeine. However, these beans possess an unique taste that many coffee enthusiasts find irresistible.
Despite their rarity, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia with large Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been very robust and drinking a cup of joe after prayer is a part the culture.
The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when an epidemic of coffee leaf rust destroyed most of the world's arabica crop. This event spurred coffee makers to search for a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.
Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases which makes them an ideal replacement for the destroyed arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to flourish in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, which allowed it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, in the present the majority of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is derived from Liberica beans.
Excelsa
While it's not usual for
specialty coffee beans drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these rarer beans are beginning to gain a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation coffee farmer These beans have a similar teardrop-shaped form, but are smaller. However despite this resemblance to the family it's important to know that excelsa is technically not a separate species.
So, it's bit confusing the best way to classify excelsa beans. categorized and it's this confusion that has largely been the cause of the beans' absence in the modern world of coffee. Many roasters, farmers, and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.
It is ultimately up to each person to decide if they like the flavor of excelsa. it may take some time to find the right blend. The key is to be open-minded and try every type of coffee a go until you discover one you really enjoy. When you do this, you'll be able to enjoy the full variety of possibilities these unique beans can provide. It's a trip worth taking.