Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we drink, there is a carefully graded beans. 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 requirements, except they cannot contain more than three deficient quality (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known coffee beans in the world. According to the legend, coffee was discovered by the goatherder of Ethiopia after he noticed that his livestock had more energy when they ate the fruit of the plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds into the beverage we know and cherish today.

There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favorite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought superior to the latter, and this is reflected in the flavor of the final beverage.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has its own unique taste profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which all other arabica varieties have been developed, through natural mutation or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour.

The flavor of an arabica variety varies on the environment in the conditions it was cultivated, as well as the method by which it was handled and cooked. For example, the type of shade a plant receives, its altitude and soil composition may all play a influence on the final outcome.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the coffee bean shop second most used variety of coffee. They are the beans that are used in the majority of instant coffees and contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, notably for cappuccino and caffe latte.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been grown all over the world since. It can thrive at lower elevations and withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more suitable for farmers. Vietnam is the world's biggest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its benefits However, it's not adored by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. It is often considered an inferior coffee and many large coffee producers employ arabica beans for their premium products.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing and small roasters are experimenting with high-end robusta varieties in order to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of outstanding robusta coffees. They are mixed with arabica for the perfect balance of strength and flavour. These are carefully procured from Uganda where robusta has been cultivated for many centuries. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are seldom used around the globe. They comprise less than 2% of global coffee consumption and are often overlooked because they don't contain as much caffeine as Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans have distinctive taste that many coffee enthusiasts find irresistible.

Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many 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 steady for a number of years. A cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their culture.

Liberica coffee's history dates back to the 1890s which was the time when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust decimated the arabica crop. This event spurred coffee producers to find an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to diseases and pests, which made them a great alternative to the ravaged arabica crop. Liberica can also thrive in lower altitudes and high temperatures that allow it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are used to produce most of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

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

So, it's little bit confusing as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. categorized and it's this confusion that's been the reason for the beans' insignificant presence in the world of coffee. Due to this, many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to cultivate or utilize these beans in a proper manner.

It's up to each individual to decide if they like the taste of excelsa. it may take some time to find the right blend. It's crucial to be flexible and test every type of coffee until you've discovered the one you enjoy. You'll have the chance to explore the vast array of possibilities the unique beans have to offer. This is an adventure worth the effort.