11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Types Of Coffee Beans
Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of coffee we sip there are carefully graded beans. They are graded based on the size, color and shape.
The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet the criteria mentioned above, with the exception that they can't have more than 3 defects (quakers). They are typically 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 legend coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goatherder Ethiopia after he observed that his herd had more energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This prompted him to try roasting the seeds and brewing them, making the drink that we drink today.
There are many varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used in the production of our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The taste of the final beverage is usually more appealing when you drink the former.
There are many varieties of arabica cultivars, each each one possessing its own unique flavour profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon from which the other varieties of arabica were developed through natural mutation or deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya and is renowned for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.
The flavour of a given arabica variety will be determined by the conditions under which it is planted, as well as the way it is handled and cooked. The shade the tree gets will have a major impact on the final product.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most sought-after variety of coffee beans. They are used in the majority of instant coffees, and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make a variety of espresso blends including cappuccino, caffe latte, and other coffee drinks.
Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated from Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since. It is able to grow at lower elevations and is able to withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a more convenient crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the largest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
Although the robusta plant has its merits, it's not as well-loved by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. Most large coffee companies use arabica beans in their top-quality products since it is considered a lower-quality coffee.
However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are trying out premium robusta varieties to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that are blended with arabica to achieve the perfect balance between strength and flavour. These coffees are procured from Uganda, where robusta is cultivated for centuries. You can read more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are rare and are rarely used in the world. They make up less than 2% of worldwide coffee consumption. They are often overlooked since they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. These beans have a distinctive taste that a majority of coffee drinkers find irresistible.
Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce they are still very popular in a few regions of Asia. These beans are most common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee industry has been robust for a long time. A cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their customs.
Read More At this website go back to the 1890s which was the time when a global epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust destroyed the arabica crop. This triggered the coffee industry to seek out a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.
Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them a great replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica is also able to thrive in lower altitudes and hot temperatures which allows it to thrive in the Southeast Asian climate. Liberica beans are used to produce most of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Excelsa
While it's not usual for coffee lovers to come across excelsa beans in their cups, these unique beans are starting to gain a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation coffee farmer excelsa beans have a teardrop-like shape, but are smaller. However, despite this family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a distinct species.
It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the absence of existence of these beans in the current coffee industry. Due to this, many growers, roasters, and brewers don't know how to cultivate and utilize the beans correctly.
Ultimately, it's up to the individual to determine if they like the taste of excelsa coffee. It may take a little amount of time to find a blend that suits your preferences. It's crucial to be flexible, and try each type of coffee until you've found the one you love. You'll be able to explore the vast array of possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's a journey worth the trip.