Types of Coffee Beans

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

The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet all the criteria above, with the exception that they should not contain more than three deficient quality (quakers). Typically these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after kind of coffee bean in the world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd dancing with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to study roasting and making the seeds into the drink we all know and love today.

There are many varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favorite brews - arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered to be superior to the other, and this is reflected in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each has its own unique taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties, either by natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The flavour of a given arabica variety will be determined by the environmental conditions in which it is planted, as well as how it is treated and roasted. The shade a tree gets will have a major impact on the final product.

Robusta

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

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

Although the robusta plant has its benefits but it's not as loved by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. The majority of large coffee beans uk companies use arabica beans in their top-quality products since it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

The demand for premium coffees is increasing and small roasters are also experimenting to take advantage its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are excellent robustas that are blended with arabica to achieve the perfect balance between the strength and flavor. These coffees originate from Uganda, a country where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. Read more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are seldom used around the globe. They make up less than 2 percent of the total 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 irresistible.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce they are still very popular in certain parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia with an extensive Muslim population. In these countries, the coffee industry has been active for many years. Drinking a cup coffee after a prayer is an integral part of their culture.

Liberica coffee's history dates back to 1890s, when a global epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf destroyed the arabica crop. This caused coffee producers to search for a more resilient plant that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica.

Liberica plants are resistant to disease and pests which makes them the perfect replacement for the destroyed arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes. This allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is the reason why, today the majority of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia originates from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's rare for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to gain a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation bulk buy coffee beans farmer at South India Coffee Co. They are "a variation of the liberica species, and have the same teardrop shape, but smaller size." It is important to note that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica but this is not distinct from either.

It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the absence of existence of these beans in the contemporary coffee world. Many growers, roasters and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

It's the individual's responsibility to decide if they enjoy the taste of excelsa and it could take a while to find the right blend. The key is to be open-minded and give every type of coffee a try until you find one that you really enjoy. If you do this you'll have the chance to experience the full range of possibilities that these unique beans can provide. It's a trip that's worth the ride.