Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

You've probably heard that different types produce distinct flavors. Find out about four of the most well-known varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a variety of Liberica that is only grown in Southeast Asia. They have a fruitier and tarter flavor, and are often used in blends of coffee to enhance the flavor.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans make up 75% of the world's production. Arabica beans are more mild and sweeter than Robusta and come in different flavour profiles. The aroma and taste of a particular coffee can vary in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and methods of processing employed to make it.

The word "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds which grow within bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats were energized by eating the fruit berries. The cultivation of coffee grew rapidly around the world.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes, and thrive in cold temperatures and lots of rain. This is one of the main reasons why Arabica is regarded as the best-tasting type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters insist on finding their arabica beans in a sustainable manner by focusing on fair compensation for farmers and sustainable cultivation practices. These companies often blend arabica beans to make unique coffees that can be used in a wide range of methods of brewing. Blending is a way to control the flavour, aroma and body of the coffee and is typically preferred to achieve an even and consistent flavor that appeals to a wider market.

Robusta

Robusta beans are the second-most popular kind of coffee bean around the world. They have a higher amount of caffeine per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids, which are naturally-occurring antioxidants. However, these acids may cause oxidation during the process of brewing coffee and may result in undesirable flavors.

The plant itself is more resilient than arabica, able to thrive in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It is able to withstand higher temperatures and does well in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, making it a cost-effective crop to cultivate.

Although it may sound contradictory, Robusta and arabica beans are often blended to make coffee blends. If you see names such as Uganda or Kenya on the coffee bags it's possible that there is also some robusta.

Most roasters use a mixture of arabica and unroasted coffee beans beans to cut costs and preserve quality. To ensure the integrity of the flavor, it's essential to select a high-quality bean from a source you can trust. This can be done by purchasing the beans directly from a farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans have a shape similar to a football that makes them different from other coffee beans. They have an aroma that is floral, fruity and smokey. They are paired with other types of coffee beans to give them a deeper, more robust taste.

Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as and in Southeast Asia. They can thrive in low altitudes and can withstand humid, hot climates. They also have a more resistant to diseases than Arabica and Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal to grow at home. You can purchase seeds on the internet from a variety of sources, however it's best to buy locally-owned producers to ensure the good quality coffee beans (https://nerdgaming.science/) of the beans. The ideal conditions to grow Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils, with a pH that is moderately acidic and adequate annual rainfall.

Another kind of coffee bean is Excelsa that was once thought to be a separate species, but was later re-classified to be a variant of Liberica. These coffee beans are ovals that grow on large 20-30 foot highest rated coffee beans plants at moderate altitudes. Their distinctive taste is sweet and tart, making them a popular choice for house blends. They have a milder scent and a lower caffeine content that is lower than Arabica or Robusta but they still have a distinctive depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth-most popular type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't so easy to locate as Arabica or Robusta. They were actually regarded as to be a different species of coffee until 2006 when they were reclassified to be a synonym for Coffea Liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's coffee beans uk production. These coffee beans are distinctive with a teardrop-shaped shape and possess an eerie, dark taste. They're often used in blends to give extra body and a delicious, tart, ripened fruit flavor.

Arabica beans are by far the most sought-after and are renowned for their sweeter flavor. They thrive in tropical, warm environments and at high altitudes. They also have a hint of acidity. If they are brewed correctly and roast properly they can be flavored like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most popular coffee around the world. It makes up around 40% of all coffee consumed in the world. Robusta beans are smaller and more round however they have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They are also more bitter than the other two varieties and have an earthy, woody taste.

Now that you've learned the four most common types of coffee beans you can now choose your ideal coffee. If you're looking for a silky, delicate flavor, opt for an arabica bean or a blend of robusta and arabica beans.