gourmet coffee beans Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

If you're a coffee enthusiast you're probably aware that different kinds of beans can produce different flavors. Learn about four of the most common varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a kind of Liberica is grown exclusively in Southeast Asia. They have a more fruity and tarter flavor, and are often added to blends of beans to enhance the flavor.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans comprise 75% of all global production. Arabica beans are milder and have a sweeter flavor than Robusta and are available with a variety of flavor profiles. The taste and aroma components of a coffee can vary in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and processing techniques used to make it.

The word "coffee" originates from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow in bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds noticed that their goats were energy-rich after eating these fruit, and the cultivation of coffee soon was a global phenomenon.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes and flourish in cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is one of the reasons for why Arabica is regarded as the best tasting coffee.

Many specialty coffee roasters and shops focus on sourcing their arabica beans ethically by focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable cultivation practices. These companies blend arabica beans to create unique signature coffees, which can be used in various brewing methods. Blending can be used to control the flavour, aroma as well as body and acidity of the coffee and is typically preferred to achieve a balanced and consistent taste that appeals to a larger market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most commonly used variety of coffee bean that is grown worldwide. They have a higher amount of caffeine per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to disease and pests. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids that are antioxidants that naturally occur. These acids can cause oxidation during the coffee's brewing process and cause undesirable flavors.

The plant is more durable than the arabica, and can grow in less favorable environments. It is tolerant of warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, making it a more cost-effective plant to cultivate.

Although it might seem odd it's true that Robusta beans are often combined with arabica to create coffee blends. If you see the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya listed on a bag of coffee and you can be sure that there's some robusta as well.

The majority of roasters make use of a mix of arabica and coffee beans to lower costs and preserve the quality. To ensure the quality of the flavor, it is essential to select a top-quality bean from a supplier you can trust. The best way to do this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped that makes them different from other types of coffee beans. They have a distinctive scent that is floral and fruity with subtle smoky undertones. They are often added to other types of coffee beans to give them a more rounded and more robust flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as and in Southeast Asia. They can grow in low altitudes and withstand hot, humid climates. They also have a better resistance to disease than Arabica and Robusta.

These attributes make them ideal to grow at home. Online, you can purchase the seeds from many sources. However, it's best to purchase the beans from local producers in order to ensure quality. The ideal conditions for the cultivation of Liberica coffee plants are fertile deep volcanic soils with moderately acidic pH and sufficient annual rainfall.

Another kind of coffee bean is Excelsa that was once thought to be a separate species, but was re-classified as a variation of Liberica. The coffee beans that are oval in shape grow on large coffee plants, which can grow to 20-30 feet in height at moderate altitudes. Their distinctive flavor is tart and sour, which makes them a popular option for blends that are house-made. They have a less pronounced aroma and caffeine content than Arabica or Robusta but they still possess a distinct depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most coveted kind of coffee beans Excelsa beans aren't as easily accessible as Arabica or Robusta. In fact, they were considered an individual species of coffee plant until 2006 when they were changed to a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's production of coffee. These beans are distinctive with a teardrop shape and have a dark, mysterious taste. They're frequently used in blends to provide extra body and a full, tart, ripened fruit flavor.

Arabica beans are by far the most sought-after and are known for their sweeter taste. They thrive best at high altitudes and enjoy warm, tropical climates. They have a little acidity. If brewed and roasted correctly they may have notes like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most popular coffee in the world and is responsible for around 40% of all coffee consumed in the world. Robusta is rounder and smaller, but contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and tend to have earthy and woody overtones.

After you've learned about the four most popular types of coffee beans and the four most popular types of coffee beans, it's time to select your ideal coffee. If you're looking for a smooth and delicate taste, go for an arabica or a blend of robusta and arabica beans.

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