Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee that we drink, there is a carefully graded bean. The beans are evaluated by their size color, shape, and density.

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

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after kind of bean around the globe. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder observed his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and making the seeds, resulting in the beverage we know and love today.

Although a variety of coffee plants exist, there are only two primary species used to create the basis for all of our favorite brews: arabica and robusta. The taste of the final beverage is typically better with the first.

There are a number of different cultivars of arabica, each every one having their own distinct flavour profile. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon and from which the other varieties of arabica were developed either by natural mutation or deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya, which is known for its distinctive chocolaty flavour.

The flavour of a given arabica variety will vary based on the environmental conditions in which it is grown, and also on how it is handled and roasted. The kind of shade a tree receives can have a significant effect on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the second most common kind of coffee gift. They are used in the majority of instant coffees, and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in numerous espresso blends, especially for caffe latte and cappuccino.

Coffea Canephora is a plant that originated in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated all over the world since then. It can be grown at lower elevations and can withstand 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 an excellent coffee, but it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt rubber notes. It's usually regarded as to be a lower quality coffee and a majority of the major coffee companies use arabica beans for their top quality products.

The demand for premium coffees is growing, and small roasters are also experimenting to take advantage its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two excellent robusta coffees that are mixed with arabica to give the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees originate from Uganda in a country where robusta has long been cultivated. You can learn more about them here.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and are not often used in the world. They account for less than 2% of worldwide coffee consumption. They are often overlooked since they don't contain the same amount of caffeine as Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans have an unique flavor that many coffee lovers find irresistible.

Despite being very rare, Liberica coffee beans are still fairly popular in parts of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee industry has been strong for many years. The consumption of a cup of coffee after prayers is a part of their culture.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by coffee leaf rust destroyed the arabica crop. This event spurred the coffee industry to seek out a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to pests and diseases, which made them an ideal substitute for the ravaged arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in temperatures that are hot and lower altitudes, which allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, today, most of the coffee that is produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is derived from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee drinkers to see excelsa coffee near me beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to earn a reputation for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variation of the liberica species with similar teardrop shapes, but a smaller size." However despite the family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a distinct species.

It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely responsible for the lack of existence of these beans in the contemporary coffee world. Many roasters, growers and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and use these beans.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to decide whether they enjoy the flavor of excelsa coffee and it could take a longer to find a blend that matches their tastes. It's crucial to be flexible and test every type of coffee until you discover the one that you like. You'll get to explore the full range of possibilities the unique beans have to offer. This is an adventure worth the effort.