Your Worst Nightmare About Coffee Beans Types Come To Life

Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

You've probably heard that different varieties produce different flavors. Learn more about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans, a variety of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a sweeter and tarter flavor profile, and are often used in blends of coffee to add depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the most sought-after coffee in the world and accounts for 75% of global coffee beans produced. Arabica beans are milder and have a sweeter flavor than Robusta. They are available in a variety of flavor profiles. The aroma and taste of a coffee may vary in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and processing methods employed to make it.

The word "coffee" originates from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop in bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds found that their goats were stimulated by eating the fruit berries. The cultivation of coffee quickly spread around the world.

Coffee beans can flourish at high altitudes and flourish with cool temperatures and lots of rain. This is one of the main reasons for why Arabica is regarded as the best tasting type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters concentrate on sourcing their arabica beans ethically by focusing on fair wages for farmers as well as sustainable growing practices. These companies often blend arabica beans to make unique coffees that are well-suited for various brewing methods. Blending is a way to control the aroma, flavor, body, and acidity of the coffee and is frequently preferred to create a balanced and consistent taste that appeals to a larger market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of coffee bean that is grown worldwide. They contain more caffeine per bean and are more resistant against diseases and pests. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants found naturally. These acids can cause oxidation during the coffee brewing and produce undesirable flavors.

The plant is more resilient than the arabica, and can be grown in less favorable climates. It can tolerate higher temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and is growing faster than arabica. This makes it a efficient crop to grow.

While it might seem contradictory it's true that Robusta beans are often mixed with arabica to create coffee blends. If you've seen the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya listed on a bag of coffee it's likely there's some robusta in there as well.

Although some roasters only use arabica beans, most do mix the two varieties to cut costs and preserve the quality. To ensure the integrity of the flavor it is recommended to select the highest quality beans from a trusted source. Coffeee to achieve this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped that makes them different from other coffee bean types. They have a scent that is fruity, floral and smokey. They are often paired with other coffee bean varieties to add a more intense, fuller flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They are resistant to hot, humid climates and are able to grow at low altitudes. They are also more resistant to diseases than Arabica or Robusta.

These qualities make them ideal for home-growing. It is possible to purchase the seeds online from many sources, however it is best to purchase them locally-owned producers to ensure the quality of the beans. The ideal conditions for the cultivation of Liberica coffee include fertile, deep volcano soils with moderately acidic as well as sufficient annual rainfall.

Excelsa is a different variety of coffee bean. It was initially classified as a distinct species, but has since been classified as a Liberica variant. These oval-shaped coffee beans are found on large coffee plants, which can grow to 20-30 feet in height at medium altitudes. Their unique taste is both tart and sour, making them a popular option for blends that are house-made. They are also lighter on the aroma and caffeine compared to Arabica and Robusta however they still have a distinct depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most coveted type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite so easy to locate as Arabica or Robusta. In fact they were regarded as a distinct coffee plant species until 2006 when they were reclassified to an alternative to Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. They are produced in Southeast Asia today and account for 7% the world's production of coffee. The coffee beans have the shape of a teardrop and possess a dark, mysterious taste. They are often blended to provide extra body and a luscious tart, ripe fruit flavor.

Arabica beans are the most popular and are renowned for having a more sweetness. They thrive in tropical, warm climates and high altitudes. They have a slight acidity. If brewed and roasted correctly they may impart notes like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most sought-after coffee in the world, and accounts for about 40% of all coffee consumed around the world. Robusta beans are more round and smaller, yet contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They are also bitterer than the other two types and have a woody, earthy taste.

Once you've mastered the four most popular types of coffee beans, it's time to choose your perfect brew. If you're looking for a smooth soft, delicate flavor, go for an arabica bean or a blend of arabica and robusta beans.