How Do You Explain Types Of Coffee Beans To A Five-Year-Old

Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we enjoy, are carefully graded beans. These beans are analyzed based on their size and shape, color, shape and density.

The AA rating is given to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria above, with the exception that they are not allowed to contain more than 3 defects (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most coveted type of bean in the world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when goat herders noticed their herd dancing with more energy after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him to experiment with roasting the seeds and then brewing the coffee, resulting in the drink that we love today.

There are many varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used to make our favourite brews - arabica and robusta. The taste of the final beverage is usually better when you drink the earlier.

There are many varieties of arabica cultivars, each every one having their own distinct flavor profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most popular arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolatey flavor.

The taste of an arabica variety will be determined by the climate in which it is cultivated, and also how it is treated and roasted. For instance, the type of shade a tree gets as well as its altitude and soil composition can all play a impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular variety of coffee beans. They are the beans that are used in most instant coffees and have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make many blends of espresso particularly for cappuccino, caffe latte and various other coffee drinks.

The Coffea Canephora plant was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated around the globe. It is able to grow at lower elevations, and can withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is the world's biggest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits but it's not as loved by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's generally regarded as a poorer quality coffee, and many large coffee producers utilize arabica beans to make their premium products.

The demand for specialty coffees is growing, and small roasters are trying to benefit from its superior 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 strength and flavour. These are carefully sourced from Uganda where robusta was grown for many centuries. Read more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are an uncommon variety that is seldom used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee bean s, and are often overlooked as they do not have the same amount of caffeine. But, they have an unique flavor that coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite being very rare, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee industry has been very active for many years. Drinking a cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their tradition.

The history of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s, when a global outbreak of coffee leaf rust destroyed most of the world's arabica crop. This event prompted coffee producers to search for a more robust plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to pests and diseases which makes them an ideal substitute for the ruined arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes, which enabled it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why today the majority of coffee that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it is rare for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans, they are gaining the reputation of having a unique flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variant of the liberica species that has a similar teardrop shape but a smaller size." It is important to note that, despite the resemblance of family between excelsa and liberica, this species is not an individual one.

It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the lack of presence of these beans in the modern coffee world. Because of this, a lot of growers, roasters, and brewers don't know how to grow and utilize these beans properly.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to decide if they like the taste of excelsa coffee and it may take a amount of time to find a blend that matches your preferences. It's crucial to be flexible and test every type of coffee until you've found the one you like. You'll discover the many possibilities the unique beans provide. This is an adventure worth the effort.