A Provocative Rant About Types Of Coffee Beans
Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of coffee we drink there are beans that have been carefully graded. These beans are evaluated by their size as well as color, shape, and density.
The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all the criteria above, with the exception that they shouldn't contain more than three deficient quality (quakers). They are typically Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after type of coffee beans in the world. According to legend, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goatherder Ethiopia after he observed that his livestock had more energy when they consumed the fruit of the plant. This led him to try roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the beverage we know and love to this day.
There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally considered to be superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the final beverage.
There are many different arabica cultivars. Each has its own unique taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica varieties were derived from these two varieties either through natural mutations, or through deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour.
The flavor of an arabica variety will be determined by the conditions under which it is planted, and also on how it is handled and roasted. The type of shade trees receive can have a significant impact on the final product.
most expensive coffee beans , also referred to as coffee canephora are the second most used variety of coffee beans. These beans are used in the majority of instant coffees. They also contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make many blends of espresso including cappuccino, caffe latte, and many other beverages that are coffee-based.
The Coffea Canephora plant was initially discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the globe. It can grow at lower elevations and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the largest producer of robusta coffee followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
The robusta plant is a good coffee however it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber aroma. It's usually regarded as an inferior coffee and the majority of large coffee companies utilize arabica beans to make their top-quality products.
The demand for specialty coffees is growing, and small roasters are exploring to capitalize on its outstanding qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance between flavor and strength. These coffees are obtained from Uganda where robusta was grown 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 the global coffee consumption and are often overlooked because they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans have a unique taste that many coffee enthusiasts find irresistible.
Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce, are still quite well-loved in a few parts of Asia. They are especially common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is an extensive Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has always been extremely strong and drinking coffee following a prayer is part of the tradition.
The history of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when a global outbreak of rusty coffee leaves killed most of the world's arabica crop. This event prompted coffee producers to look for a robust plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica.
Liberica plants have a high tolerance for diseases and pests, which made them a perfect replacement for the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica is also able to thrive in lower elevations and higher temperatures that allow it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is the reason why, today the majority of coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia originates from Liberica beans.
Excelsa
While it's not common for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are gaining an image due to their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth-generation coffee farmer excelsa beans have a teardrop-like shape, however they are smaller. It's important to remember that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica but this is not distinct from either.
It's a bit confusing how excelsa beans should be classified, and it's this confusion that has largely been at the root of the beans' lack of presence in the modern world of coffee. Due to this, many roasters, farmers, and brewers aren't sure how to cultivate and use these beans effectively.
In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to decide what they prefer about the taste of excelsa coffee. It may take a little bit of time to find a blend that matches their tastes. It is important to be open and try every kind of coffee until you've found the one that you like. You'll have the chance to explore the many possibilities the unique beans provide. It's a journey worth the journey.