Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy there are carefully graded beans. These beans are graded on size, color and shape.

The AA grade is assigned to coffee beans that satisfy all of the above requirements, except they shouldn't have more than three defective qualities (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most coveted coffee bean in the world. The legend says that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when the goat herder saw his herd dancing with more energy after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the drink we know and love to this day.

There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used in the production of our favorite brews - arabica and robusta. The flavor of the final drink is usually more appealing with the former.

There are a number of varieties of arabica cultivars, each each having its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon from which all other varieties of arabica have been developed, either through natural mutations or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for coffeee.uk example, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The flavour of a given arabica variety will depend on the conditions under the area it is grown as well as the way it is treated and roasted. The shade the tree gets can have a significant effect on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most sought-after variety of coffee. They are the beans used in most instant coffees and have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make many blends of espresso including cappuccino, caffe latte, and other coffee drinks.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since then. It is able to grow at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more suited to farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits however, it's not as adored by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. It's usually regarded as a poorer quality coffee, and many large coffee producers make use of arabica beans to create premium products.

The demand for gourmet coffees is increasing and small roasters are experimenting to take advantage 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 between flavor and strength. These coffees are obtained from Uganda, where robusta has been grown for many centuries. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are scarce and are rarely used around the globe. They account for less than 2% of world's coffee bean consumption and are often overlooked because they don't contain the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans possess an unique flavor that many coffee lovers find irresistible.

Liberica coffee beans, although extremely rare, are still quite popular in certain parts of Asia. They are especially common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is large Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been very strong for many years. A cup of coffee after a prayer is an integral part of their culture.

The history of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s when a worldwide epidemic of coffee leaf rust killed the majority of the world's arabica crop. This triggered coffee producers to discover a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases which makes them a great replacement for the depleted 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. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production 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 unique beans are beginning to gain the reputation of having a distinct 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-like shapes but are smaller in size." It is important to note that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica however, spectshop.com this species is not a separate one.

It's a bit hazy as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. classified and it's this confusion that has been the cause of the beans' insignificant presence in the modern world of coffee. Due to this, many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to grow and utilize these beans properly.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to decide what they prefer about the taste of the coffee excelsa and it could take a longer to find a blend that fits your preferences. The key is to be open-minded and give each type of coffee a try until you find one that you truly love. You'll be able to explore the full range of possibilities the unique beans provide. It's a journey worth the trip.