Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we drink there are beans that have been carefully graded. These beans are graded on color, size and fresh roasted coffee Beans shape.

The AA rating is given to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria mentioned above, with the exception that they are not allowed to contain more than 3 defects (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most coveted coffee in the world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd dancing with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This prompted him to try roasting the seeds before brewing the coffee, resulting in the drink that we love today.

There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used to make our favorite brews - arabica and robusta. The flavor of the final beverage is typically more appealing when you drink the robusta variety.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has its own distinct taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most popular arabica cultivars. The other arabica varieties were derived from these two varieties either by natural mutations or deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya, which is known for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.

The flavor of the arabica variety is contingent on the environment in which it was grown and also on how it was handled and cooked. For instance, the type of shade a plant receives, its altitude and soil composition can all play a part in the final flavor.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most widely used kind of light roast coffee beans beans. They are the beans that are used in the majority of instant drinks and have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in the making of many espresso blends including cappuccino, caffe latte and other coffee drinks.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations and withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant makes a wonderful coffee however it's not a popular choice among cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica bean for their premium products because it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

The demand for gourmet coffees is increasing, and small roasters are trying to capitalize on its outstanding qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With fresh roasted coffee beans (listen to this podcast) are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of flavour and strength. The coffees are carefully procured from Uganda, where robusta has been cultivated for centuries. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and rarely used throughout the globe. They are less than 2% of world's coffee bean consumption and are often overlooked due to the fact that they don't contain as much caffeine as Arabica and Robusta do. However, they do have distinct flavor that a lot of coffee lovers find irresistible.

Liberica coffee beans, although extremely rare they are still very well-loved in a few parts of Asia. The most common place for these beans is in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been extremely strong and the cup of coffee after prayer is part of the tradition.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s which was the time when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust decimated the arabica crop. This event spurred coffee producers to find an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them an ideal alternative to the ruined arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, which allowed it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is the reason why, today the majority of coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia originates from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to earn the reputation of having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee beans in chocolate farmer at South India wholesale coffee beans uk Co. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species with similar teardrop shapes, but are smaller in size." But, despite this family resemblance, it's important to note that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

In this way, it's a bit hazy as to how excelsa beans should be classified. It's this confusion that has been the reason for the beans' lack of presence in the world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, growers, and brewers aren't sure how to cultivate and utilize these beans in a proper manner.

Ultimately, it's up to the individual to determine whether they enjoy the flavor of the coffee excelsa and it might take a bit of time to discover a blend that is suitable for their preferences. It's important to be open-minded and try different kinds of coffee until you've discovered the one you love. You'll be able to explore the vast array of possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's a journey worth the ride.