Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we drink there are beans that have been carefully graded. The beans are evaluated according to their size, color, shape and density.

The AA grade is assigned to coffee beans that meet all the above criteria except they must not have more than three defective qualities (quakers). Typically these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most popular coffee beans in the world. According to the legend, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goatherder Ethiopia after he noticed that his herd was more full of energy when they ate the fruits of the plant. This led him to try roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the drink we know and love today.

While many types of coffee plants are available There are only two species that are used to create the basis for all our favorite coffees: robusta and arabica. The former is generally considered superior to the latter and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are many different arabica cultivars, with each having its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which all other varieties of arabica have been developed, either through natural mutation or through deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.

The taste of an arabica variety is determined by the environmental conditions in which it is cultivated, as well as how it is handled and cooked. The shade trees receive can have a significant effect on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee beans. They are the beans used in the majority of instant coffees and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, especially for cappuccino and caffe latte.

The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been grown all over the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations and is able to withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a better crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is a great coffee however it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. It is often considered to be a lower quality coffee and a majority of the major coffee companies utilize arabica beans to make their top-quality products.

However the demand coffeee.uk for premium coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are exploring robusta varieties that are high-end to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With bulk coffee beans are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees that are blended with arabica to provide the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees come from Uganda which is a nation where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are scarce and aren't used much around the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked because they don't contain as much caffeine. However, these beans possess an unique flavor that many coffee lovers find appealing.

Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still fairly popular in parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia, which have an extensive Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been very robust for a long time. Drinking a cup coffee after a prayer is an integral part of their culture.

The history of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when an epidemic of coffee leaf rust killed the majority of the world's arabica crop. This event spurred coffee producers to find a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to disease and pests which makes them the perfect replacement for the depleted 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 used to produce most of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it is not common for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans, they are quickly gaining the reputation of having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. These beans are "a variation of the liberica species and have similar teardrop-like shapes but are smaller in size." However despite this family resemblance it's important to know that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

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

It is ultimately up to each individual to decide if they like the taste of excelsa. it can take a while to find the right blend. The most important thing is to remain open-minded and give every type of coffee a try until you find one you truly love. By doing so you'll be able to discover the wide possibilities that these unique beans can offer. This is a journey worth taking.