Types of Coffee Beans

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

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

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known coffee beans in the world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder observed his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him experiment with roasting the seeds and then brewing them, creating the drink that we love today.

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

There are a number of varieties of arabica cultivars, each each having its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon from which all other arabica varieties have been created, either by natural mutation or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour.

The taste of an arabica variety varies on the conditions in which it was grown and also the way it was handled and roasted. The shade a tree receives can have a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee beans. They are the beans that are used in the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, specifically for caffe latte and cappuccino.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated all over the world since then. It is able to grow at lower elevations, and can withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more suitable for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its merits, it's not as well-loved by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It is often considered an inferior coffee and many large coffee beans near me producers employ arabica beans for their top quality products.

The demand for specialty coffees is growing and small roasters are also experimenting to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees. They are blended with arabica to give the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees are expertly procured from Uganda where robusta has been grown for hundreds of years. Find out more about these coffees.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and are not often used in the world. They're less than percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans and are often overlooked because they don't contain as much caffeine. These beans have a distinct taste that a majority of coffee drinkers find irresistible.

Liberica coffee beans, although extremely rare they are still very well-loved in a few parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a significant Muslim community. In these countries the coffee industry has been very steady for a number of years. The consumption of a cup of coffee after prayer is a part of their culture.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s, when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust devastated the arabica crop. This event spurred coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases, making them a perfect replacement for Coffeee the depleted arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and high temperatures which allows it to thrive in the Southeast Asian climate. This is the reason why, today the majority of coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

While it's not common for coffee drinkers to see excelsa beans in their cups, these unique beans are beginning to earn a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co. They are "a variant of the liberica species and have similar teardrop-like shapes but a smaller size." However despite the family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

As such, it's a little ambiguous as to how excelsa beans should be classified and it's this confusion that has largely been at the root of this beans' minimal presence in the contemporary world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, farmers, and brewers aren't sure how to grow and utilize the beans correctly.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to determine whether they enjoy the flavor of excelsa coffee and it may take a little time to find a blend that suits your preferences. The key is to be open to new ideas and give every kind of coffee you can until you find one that you really enjoy. In this way you'll be able experience the full variety of possibilities these unique beans can offer. This is an adventure worth taking.

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