Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we drink, there are carefully graded bean to cup coffee beans. These beans are graded on the size, color and shape.

The AA grade is granted to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria mentioned above, with the exception that they can't contain more than 3 defects (quakers). Most often, these are Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known coffee beans in the world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder observed his herd's dancing more vigorously after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This inspired him to experiment with roasting seeds and brewing them, which resulted in the beverage that we drink today.

There are many varieties of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our most popular brews: arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered superior to the latter and this is evident in the taste of the finished beverage.

There are many different cultivars of arabica, with each having its own unique flavour profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. The other arabica varieties were derived from these two varieties, either through natural mutations or through deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The flavor of a particular arabica variety will be determined by the conditions under which it is grown, as well as the way it is processed and roasted. The kind of shade the tree gets will have a major impact on the final product.

Robusta

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

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

While the robusta coffee plant has its merits, it's not as well-loved by cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. It's often regarded as inferior quality coffee and the majority of large coffee companies employ arabica beans for their premium products.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing, and smaller roasters are experimenting with high-end robusta varieties to take advantage of its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of outstanding robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These coffees come from Uganda, a country where robusta has long been cultivated. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are rarely used in the world. They comprise less than 2% of world's coffee consumption, and are often overlooked because they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. These coffeee beans (visit the next document) have a distinctive taste that many coffee drinkers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce and extremely scarce, are still quite well-loved in a few parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. In these countries the coffee industry has been steady for a number of years. The consumption of a cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their customs.

Liberica coffee's history dates back to 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf devastated the arabica crop. The event prompted the coffee industry to seek out a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to disease and pests, making them a perfect replacement for the depleted arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower elevations and higher temperatures, which allows it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. This is why, today the majority of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these rarer beans are beginning to earn an image due to their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth-generation farmer of coffee beans delivery the beans have a similar teardrop-shaped shape, but are smaller. It is important to note that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica the species isn't an individual one.

It's a little ambiguous as to the best way to classify excelsa beans. classified. It's this confusion that has been the reason for the beans' insignificant presence in the modern world of coffee. Many growers, roasters and brewers don't know how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

Ultimately, it's up the individual to determine whether they enjoy the flavor of the coffee excelsa and it may take a little longer to find a blend that fits your preferences. The most important thing is to remain open-minded and give every type of coffee beans bulk buy a try until you find one you truly enjoy. You'll get to explore the many possibilities these unique beans can offer. It's a journey that's well worth the trip.