Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of
coffee bean company we sip there are carefully graded beans. These beans are graded on the size, color and shape.
The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all the criteria above, with the exception that they should not contain more than three deficient qualities (quakers). These are typically Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after type of coffee beans in the world. According to the legend coffee was discovered by the goatherder of Ethiopia after he noticed that his animals had more energy when they ate the fruits of the plant. This inspired him to experiment with roasting the seeds before brewing them, which resulted in the beverage that we drink today.
There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought superior to the latter and this is evident in the taste of the final drink.
There are many different arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. The other arabica varieties were developed from these two varieties either by 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 flavour of a given arabica variety will be determined by the conditions under which it is planted, as well as how it is handled and cooked. For instance, the type of shade a tree receives along with its altitude and soil composition may all play a influence on the final outcome.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most widely used variety of coffee. These beans are used in most instant coffees, and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in the making of many espresso blends specifically for cappuccino caffe latte and other beverages that are coffee-based.
Coffea Canephora is a plant which was discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated all over the world since. It can thrive at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more suitable for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
Although the robusta plant has its advantages, it's not as well-loved by cupping enthusiasts for its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. Most major coffee companies utilize arabica beans for their premium products because it's considered to be a less premium coffee.
The demand for specialty coffees is growing, and small roasters are experimenting to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of outstanding robusta coffees. They are blended with arabica to create the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These beans are from Uganda which is a country in which robusta has been cultivated for a long time. Learn more about these coffees.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are rarely used in the world. They comprise less than 2% of world's coffee consumption, and are often overlooked because they don't contain the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. They have a distinctive flavor that a lot of
Coffee Beans Bulk drinkers find appealing.
Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many parts of Asia. They are especially common in Malaysia and Indonesia as they have an extensive Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been very active for many years. A cup of
coffee bean shop after a prayer is an integral part of their customs.
Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. This triggered the coffee industry to seek out a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they soon discovered the Liberica plant.
Liberica plants have a
high quality coffee beans tolerance to diseases and pests, which made them a great alternative to the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to flourish in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, which enabled it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Excelsa
While it's not usual for coffee lovers to see excelsa coffee beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are gaining an image due to their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. These beans are "a variation of the liberica species and have similar teardrop shapes, but smaller size." But despite this family resemblance, it's important to note that excelsa is technically not a separate species.
It's not easy
bean to cup coffee beans categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely to blame for the low existence of these beans in the modern world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to cultivate and use these beans in a proper manner.
Ultimately, it's up the individual to determine whether they enjoy the flavor of excelsa coffee and it may take a little longer to find a blend that matches your preferences. The key is to be open-minded and try every type of coffee a try until you find one you truly love. You'll be able to explore the full range of possibilities the unique beans have to offer. It's an experience that's worth the trip.