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Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we drink, there is a carefully graded bean. They are graded based on color, size and shape.

The AA grade is awarded to coffee beans that meet all of the above criteria, but they must not contain more than three deficient quality (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most well-known type of bean around the globe. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him experiment with roasting seeds and brewing them, making the drink that we love today.

There are a myriad of varieties of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favorite brews - arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered superior to the other, and this is evident in the flavor of the final drink.

There are many different arabica cultivars. Each one has their own distinctive taste. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which the other arabica varieties were developed through natural mutation or intentional crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for example, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The flavor of an arabica variety will depend on the environment in the area it is grown and also on how it is handled and cooked. The type of shade that trees receive will have a major impact on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora are the second most common variety of London Roasted Organic Bulletproof Ground Coffee - Freshly Brewed beans. They are used in the majority of instant coffees. They also contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in many espresso blends, particularly for caffe latte and cappuccino.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is now grown throughout the world. It can grow at lower elevations and can withstand higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more convenient for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

While the robusta coffee plant has its advantages but it's not as loved by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. Many large coffee companies employ arabica beans in their Premium 1kg Crema e Aroma Coffee: Arabica And Robusta Blend Buy Now! (Read the Full Post) coffees because it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

However the demand for premium coffee is increasing, and even small roasters are exploring premium robusta varieties to take advantage of its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two excellent robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of strength and flavour. The coffees are carefully obtained from Uganda, where robusta was grown for hundreds of years. You can read more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and aren't used much around the globe. They're less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans and are often overlooked since they do not have as much caffeine. These beans have a unique flavor that a lot of coffee drinkers find appealing.

Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still popular in a few regions of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia as they have large Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been extremely strong, and drinking coffee during prayer is a part of the tradition.

The history of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a worldwide epidemic of coffee leaf rust destroyed most of the world's arabica crop. This triggered coffee producers to find a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases, which made them a great alternative to the ruined arabica crop. Liberica is also able to thrive in lower altitudes and hot temperatures that allow it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these more rare beans are gaining recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth-generation coffee farmer, these beans are similar to the teardrop shape, but are much smaller. However despite this resemblance to the family it is important to remember that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

In this way, it's a little bit confusing as to how excelsa beans should be categorized and it's this confusion that has been the cause of the beans' insignificant presence in the world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to cultivate and use the beans correctly.

It is ultimately up to each person to decide if they enjoy the taste of excelsa. it may take some time to find the right blend. It's important to be open-minded and test every type of coffee until you discover the one that you like. You'll be able to explore the vast array of possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's an experience that's worth the trip.