Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all of the above criteria, but they shouldn't have more than three defective qualities (quakers). They are typically Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee Bean company beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica, are the most popular kind of bean in the world. Legend has it that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when goat herders noticed their herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the beverage we now know and love to this day.

Although a variety of coffee plants are available, there are only two major species used as the foundation for all our favourite beverages: robusta and arabica. The flavor of the final beverage is typically more appealing with the first.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Two of the most expensive coffee beans famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon, from which all other varieties of arabica have been developed, either by natural mutation or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The flavor of an arabica variety varies on the conditions under which it was grown, and also on how it was handled and cooked. The shade the tree gets can have a significant impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most sought-after variety of coffee. These beans are used in most instant coffees, and contain twice as much caffeine than Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, particularly for cappuccino and caffe latte.

Coffea Canephora is a plant which was discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been grown all over the world since. It can grow at lower altitudes and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits However, it's not adored by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's usually regarded as an inferior coffee and a majority of the major coffee companies employ arabica beans for their premium products.

The demand for specialty coffees is increasing, and small roasters are exploring to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that are blended with arabica for the perfect balance between strength and flavour. These are coffees from Uganda which is a nation where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and are rarely used around the globe. They comprise less than 2% of global coffee consumption and are often overlooked because they don't contain the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans possess distinctive flavor that many coffee lovers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce they are still very popular in certain parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a significant Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has historically been very robust and drinking coffee during prayer is a part of the culture.

The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a global epidemic of coffee leaf rust destroyed the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee makers to search for an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests, making them a perfect alternative to the ruined arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to thrive in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, allowing it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

While it's not usual for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to earn a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation farmer of coffee the beans have a similar teardrop shape, however they are smaller. It's important to remember that despite the resemblance in family between excelsa and liberica however, this species is not an individual one.

It's not clear how to classify excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the lack of their presence in the current coffee industry. Many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

Ultimately, it's up for the individual to decide if they like the taste of the coffee excelsa and it may take a little longer to find a blend that suits their tastes. It's crucial to be flexible, and try each type of coffee until you discover the one you enjoy. By doing so, you'll be able to explore the entire potential these unique beans can offer. It's a trip worth taking.