Solutions To Problems With Types Of Coffee Beans
Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy, there are carefully graded beans. These beans are graded on the size, color and shape.
The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that fulfill the above criteria, with the exception that they must not contain more than three defects (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most sought-after bean in the entire world. Legend has it that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds into the drink we all know and cherish today.
There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally considered to be superior to the other, and this is reflected in the flavor of the final beverage.
There are a variety of different cultivars of arabica, each each one possessing its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which the other arabica varieties have been created, either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya and is renowned for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.
The flavor of a particular arabica variety is determined by the environment in the area it is grown and also how it is handled and roasted. The type of shade a tree gets can have a significant effect on the final product.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee. They are the beans used in the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used to make many blends of espresso specifically for cappuccino caffe latte, and other beverages that are coffee-based.
The Coffea Canephora plant was originally discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated around the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations and can 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.
The robusta plant is an excellent coffee however it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber notes. Many large coffee companies employ arabica beans in their top-quality products since it is considered a lower-quality coffee.
The demand for premium coffees is increasing and small roasters are exploring to benefit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of the strength and flavor. These coffees are procured from Uganda where robusta has been grown for centuries. coffeee.uk can read more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are rare and are not used in the world. They are less than 2% the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked because they don't contain as much caffeine. These beans have a unique taste that many coffee drinkers find appealing.
Liberica coffee beans, although extremely rare and extremely scarce, are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is large Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been very robust, and drinking coffee during prayer is a part of the culture.
The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when an outbreak of coffee leaf rust killed most of the world's arabica crop. The event spurred coffee producers to look for a robust plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica.
Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases which makes them an ideal replacement for the depleted arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes. This allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Excelsa
Although it's not common for coffee enthusiasts to find excelsa beans, they are now gaining recognition for their 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." But, despite this family resemblance, it's important to note that excelsa is technically not a separate species.
It's not easy to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely reason for the insufficient existence of these beans in the current coffee industry. Many roasters, growers and brewers are unaware of how to properly cultivate and use these beans.
It is ultimately up the individual to determine whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee and it could take a bit of time to find a blend that suits your preferences. The key is to be open to new ideas and give every kind of coffee you can until you find one you really enjoy. By doing so you'll be able experience the full possibilities that these unique beans can provide. It's a journey worth the effort.