Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is assigned to coffee beans that satisfy all the criteria above, with the exception that they shouldn't have more than three deficient qualities (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after kind of bean around the globe. According to legend, coffee was discovered by the goatherder of Ethiopia after he observed that his herd had more energy when they consumed the fruits of the plant. This prompted him to try roasting seeds and brewing them, making the drink which we enjoy today.

There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used in the production of our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought to be superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are a number of different cultivars of arabica, with each one possessing its own unique flavour profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon which are the basis for the other varieties of arabica have been developed, either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The taste of an arabica variety depends on the conditions in which it was planted, as well as the method by which it was handled and roasted. For example, the type of shade a tree gets along with its altitude and soil composition may all play an important part in the final flavor.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora are the second most widely used kind of coffee. They are the beans used for the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in numerous espresso blends, specifically for caffe latte and cappuccino.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been grown all over the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations, and can withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

The robusta plant is a great coffee, but it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber notes. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica beans to make their premium coffees because it's regarded as a lower-quality coffee.

The demand for specialty coffee beans coffees is growing and small roasters are also experimenting to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee light Roast coffee beans are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees originate from Uganda which is a country in which robusta has been grown for a long time. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica specialty coffee beans beans are scarce and rarely used throughout the globe. They comprise less than 2% of world's coffee consumption, and are often overlooked due to the fact that they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. These beans have a unique taste that many coffee drinkers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, despite being extremely rare however, are quite popular in certain parts of Asia. These beans are most common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has historically been very robust and an espresso after prayer is part of the culture.

Liberica coffee's history dates back to the 1890s in the 1890s, when a global outbreak caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. This caused coffee producers to look for a robust plant that could flourish in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them an ideal replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes, which allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, in the present, most of the unroasted coffee beans grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

While it's not usual for coffee lovers to see excelsa beans in their cups, these more rare beans are beginning to gain recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth-generation farmer of coffee excelsa beans are similar to the teardrop shape, but are much smaller. It's important to understand that, despite the resemblance of family between excelsa and liberica, this species is not distinct from either.

It's a bit hazy as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. classified and it's this confusion that's been the reason for this beans' minimal presence in the world of coffee. Many roasters, farmers, and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these coffeee beans.

It is ultimately up to each person to decide if they enjoy the taste of excelsa. it could take a while to find the right blend. It's crucial to be flexible, and try each type of coffee until you find the one that you like. You'll discover the vast array of possibilities these unique beans can offer. This is a journey worth taking.