The Most Significant Issue With Types Of Coffee Beans, And How You Can Resolve It
Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of coffee that we drink there are carefully graded beans. The beans are evaluated by their size, color, shape and density.
The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all of the above criteria, but they should not have more than three defective quality (quakers). They are typically Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after kind of coffee beans in the world. Legend has it that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder observed his herd's dancing more vigorously after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the beverage we know and love to this day.
While many types of coffee plants exist however, there are two species that are used as the base for all our favorite brews: arabica and robusta. The former is generally thought to be superior to the other, and this is evident in the taste of the finished beverage.
There are a number of different cultivars of arabica, with each having its own unique flavor profile. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon which are the basis for all other arabica varieties were developed either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya, which is known for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.
The taste of an arabica variety will vary based on the environment in which it is cultivated, and also how it is handled and roasted. For instance, the kind of shade that a tree receives as well as its altitude and soil composition may all play a major influence on the final outcome.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee. They are the beans used to make the majority of instant drinks and have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in a variety of espresso blends, notably for cappuccino and caffe latte.
The Coffea Canephora plant was initially discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated all over the world. It is able to grow at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, which makes it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is the largest producer of robusta, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
The robusta plant is a great coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. The majority of large coffee companies use arabica beans to make their top-quality products since it's considered to be lower-quality coffee.
The demand for gourmet coffees is growing and small roasters are trying to take advantage its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance between quality and flavor. These beans are from Uganda in a country where robusta has been cultivated for a long time. You can read more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are not often used in the world. They are less than 2 percent of the world's total consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked as they do not contain the same amount of caffeine. They have a distinctive taste that a majority of coffee drinkers find appealing.
Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many parts of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. In these countries the coffee industry has been active for many years. A cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their culture.
Liberica coffee's history dates back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. The event spurred coffee producers to search for a more resilient plant that could thrive in tropical climates. specialty coffee beans found the Liberica.
Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases, making them a perfect replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and high temperatures which enables it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Excelsa
While it isn't common for coffee lovers to come across excelsa beans, they are now gaining recognition for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation farmer of coffee excelsa beans have a similar teardrop shape, but are much smaller. It's important to understand that despite the resemblance in family between excelsa and liberica the species isn't an individual one.
In this way, it's a little bit confusing as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. 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. Many roasters, growers, and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.
In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to determine whether they like the flavor of the coffee excelsa and it might take a amount of time to find a blend that matches their tastes. It's important to be open-minded and try different kinds of coffee until you've discovered the one you love. You'll discover the many possibilities these unique beans offer. This is a journey worth the effort.