Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA rating is given to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, with the exception that they can't contain more than three defects (quakers). Typically these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most popular coffee bean in the world. According to legend coffee was discovered by the goatherder of Ethiopia after he observed that his herd was more full of energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the beverage we now know and love today.

There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favorite brews - robusta and arabica. The taste of the final drink is usually more appealing with the earlier.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon, from which the other arabica varieties have been created, either through natural mutations or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The flavor of an arabica variety varies on the environment in which it was grown, and also on how it was handled and roasted. The type of shade that trees receive can have a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the second most popular kind of coffee. These beans are used in most instant coffees, and they contain twice as much caffeine than Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, notably for cappuccino and caffe latte.

Coffea Canephora is a plant which was discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since then. It can thrive at lower elevations and withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it a better choice for farmers. Vietnam is the world's biggest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is an excellent coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber aroma. Most major coffee companies utilize arabica bean for their top-quality products since it's considered to be lower-quality coffee.

The demand for gourmet coffees is increasing, and small roasters are exploring to capitalize on its outstanding qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees. They are blended with arabica to create the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These coffees are expertly obtained from Uganda where robusta has been grown for hundreds of years. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are scarce and aren't used much around the globe. They are 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 have an unique flavor that coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still fairly popular in parts of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has always been very strong, and drinking an espresso during prayer is a part of the culture.

The history of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s, when an epidemic of coffee leaf rust destroyed the majority of the world's arabica crop. This event spurred the coffee beans to buy industry to seek out a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for diseases and pests which makes them a great alternative to the ravaged arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and hot temperatures that allow it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it is not common for coffee enthusiasts to find excelsa beans, they are now gaining an image for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation farmer of coffee the beans have a similar teardrop-shaped shape, but are much smaller. It's important to keep in mind that despite the close resemblance between excelsa and liberica, this species is not a separate one.

It's unclear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the lack of existence of these beans in the contemporary coffee world. Many roasters, farmers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

In the end, it's entirely up the individual to determine whether they like the flavor of the coffee excelsa and it might take a amount of time to find a blend that fits their tastes. The most important thing is to remain open-minded and give each type of coffee a try until you find one you truly enjoy. 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 journey.

좋아요 0