Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we drink, there is a carefully graded bean. These beans are graded on color, size and shape.

The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, with the exception that they must not have more than 3 defects (quakers). These beans are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known coffee bean in the world. Legend has it that best fresh coffee beans was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd dancing with more energy after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and making the seeds into the beverage we know and love today.

Although a variety of coffee plants exist, there are only two primary species used to create the basis for all of our favorite beverages: robusta and arabica. The flavor of the final beverage is typically more appealing with the earlier.

There are a variety of different cultivars of arabica, each each one possessing its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which all other arabica varieties were developed either by natural mutation or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour.

The flavor of an arabica variety depends on the environment in which it was planted, and also how it was handled and cooked. For instance, the type of shade a plant receives in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition may all play an important impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most widely used kind of coffee. They are the beans used in the majority of instant drinks and have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, specifically for caffe latte and cappuccino.

The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated all over the world. It can thrive at lower elevations, and can withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more convenient 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 aroma. It's usually regarded as to be a lower quality coffee and many large coffee producers make use of arabica beans to create premium products.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is increasing, and even small roasters are exploring robusta varieties that are high-end to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees, which are mixed with arabica to provide the perfect balance of strength and flavour. The coffees are carefully obtained from Uganda where robusta has been cultivated for hundreds of years. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are rarely used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans, types of coffee beans and are often overlooked as they do not have the same amount of caffeine. However, they do have distinctive flavor that coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia with a large Muslim population. The coffee beans near me industry in these countries has always been extremely strong and the cup of coffee after prayer is a part the tradition.

Liberica coffee's history dates back to 1890s which was the time when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust decimated the arabica crop. This event spurred coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases and pests, making them an ideal substitute for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica is also able to thrive in lower altitudes and high temperatures which enables it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it's not common for coffee lovers to come across excelsa beans, they are gaining an image for their distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species that has the same teardrop shape, but smaller size." But despite the family resemblance it is important to remember that excelsa is technically not a distinct species.

It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely responsible for the absence of presence of these beans in the modern coffee world. Many roasters, growers and brewers aren't aware of how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

It is ultimately up for the individual to decide whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee beans best. It may take a amount of time to find a blend that fits their tastes. It's important to be open-minded and try every kind of coffee until you find the one you like. You'll get to explore the many possibilities these unique beans offer. It's a trip that's worth the effort.