Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, except that they can't contain more than three defects (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most coveted bean in the entire world. The legend says that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to experiment with roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the beverage we now know and love today.

While a myriad of coffee plants exist but there are only two major species used as the base for all our favorite drinks: arabica and robusta. The former is generally thought to be superior to the latter and this is evident in the flavor of the final beverage.

There are many different arabica cultivars. Each one has its own unique taste profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon, from which the other arabica varieties have been created, through natural mutation or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The taste of the arabica variety is contingent on the conditions under which it was grown and also on how it was handled and cooked. For instance, the kind of shade a tree gets, its altitude and soil composition could all play a part in the final flavor.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most sought-after variety of coffee beans. They are the beans coffee that are used in most instant coffees and have 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 made from coffee.

Coffea Canephora is a plant which was discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since then. It is able to grow at lower elevations and can tolerate higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its benefits but it's not as loved by cupping enthusiasts for Highest rated coffee beans its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. It is often considered a poorer quality highest Rated Coffee Beans, and the majority of large coffee companies 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 take advantage of its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance between strength and flavour. These beans are from Uganda which is a nation where robusta has been cultivated for a long time. Read more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are rarely used in the world. They're less than% the world's consumption of coffee beans and are often overlooked as they do not have the same amount of caffeine. But, they have an unique flavor that coffee lovers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, even though they are extremely scarce, are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia as they have large Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been steady for a number of years. Drinking a cup of coffee after prayer is a part of their customs.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s, when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust devastated the arabica crop. This caused coffee producers to discover a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for diseases and pests which makes them a perfect replacement for the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica can also be grown in lower altitudes and high temperatures which enables it to thrive in the Southeast Asian climate. Liberica beans are used to produce most of the coffee beans shop in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it's not common for ground coffee beans lovers to come across excelsa beans, they are quickly gaining a reputation for having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species with similar teardrop shapes, but a smaller size." However, despite this family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a distinct species.

It's not easy to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely responsible for the lack of their presence in the current coffee industry. Many roasters, growers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

In the end, it's entirely up for the individual to decide what they prefer about the taste of the coffee excelsa and it may take a little amount of time 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 discover one you truly love. By doing so, you'll be able to enjoy the full potential these unique beans have to offer. This is a trip worth taking.