Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa
You've probably heard that different varieties can produce distinct flavors. Find out about four of the most well-known varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.
Excelsa beans are a variety of Liberica that is grown exclusively in Southeast Asia. They have a fruitier, more tart flavor profile and are frequently used in blends of coffee to add depth.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are responsible for 75% of global production. Arabica beans are milder and sweeter than Robusta and are available in a variety of flavours. The aroma and taste of a particular coffee can vary widely depending on the growing conditions and processing methods employed to make it.
The word 'coffee' actually is derived from the Arabic word for berry, and coffee beans are fruit seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds found that their goats were invigorated by eating the berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly across the globe.
Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes, and are capable of thriving when exposed to cool temperatures and plenty of rain. This is the reason Arabica coffee is thought to be the best tasting type of coffee.
Many specialty coffee shops and roasters concentrate on ethically sourced arabica beans, focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable farming practices. These companies often blend arabica beans to make distinctive coffees that work well with many different brewing methods. Blending is a way to control the flavour, aroma as well as body and acidity of the coffee and is often preferred in order to create an even and consistent taste that appeals to a larger market.
Robusta
Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most commonly used variety of
coffee bean grown in the world. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to pests and disease. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids that are antioxidants naturally found in. These acids can cause oxidation during the brewing process of
speciality coffee beans and create undesirable flavors.
The plant itself is more robust than arabica, able grow in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It can withstand warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, making it a cheaper crop to cultivate.
While it may seem counterintuitive Robusta beans are frequently combined with arabica to create coffee blends. If you find names such as Uganda or Kenya on the coffee bags it's possible that there's also some robusta.
The majority of roasters utilize a mix of arabica and coffee beans to cut costs while maintaining the quality. To maintain the integrity of the flavor, it's important to select a top-quality beans from a source you are confident in. This can be accomplished by purchasing your beans directly from a farmer.
Liberica
Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped that makes them different from other coffee bean varieties. They have a unique aroma that is fruity and floral with smokey undertones. They are often added to other bean varieties to add an extra, stronger flavor.
Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as and in Southeast Asia. They can be grown at low altitudes and tolerate hot, humid climates. They are also more resistant to disease than Arabica or Robusta.
These qualities make them ideal for home cultivation. You can purchase seeds on the internet from a variety of sources, however it is best to purchase them from local producers to ensure the quality of the beans. The ideal conditions for the cultivation of Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils with a pH that is moderately acidic and sufficient annual rainfall.
Excelsa is another type of coffee bean. It was previously classified as a separate species, but has since been classified as a Liberica variant. These
500g coffee beans beans are elongated ovals that grow on large 20-30 foot coffee plants at medium altitudes. They have a distinct taste that is both tart and fruity that has made them a popular choice in house blends. They have a lighter aroma and higher caffeine levels than Arabica or Robusta but they do have a distinctive depth of flavor.
Excelsa
Although they're the fourth most sought-after type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't as easily accessible as Arabica or Robusta. They were considered to be a different coffee plant species until 2006 when they were reclassified to become a synonym for Coffea Liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's production of
coffee bean Shop near Me. The coffee beans are shaped like teardrops and are
dark roast coffee beans and mysterious in taste. They're frequently used in blends to add body and a luscious, tart, ripened fruit flavor.
Arabica beans are the most popular, and are renowned for having a the most delicious taste. They thrive best at high altitudes, and they thrive in warm tropical climates. They also have a bit of acidity. When roasted and brewed correctly they may have notes like nuts, chocolate or even fruit.
Robusta is the second most sought-after coffee in the world and is responsible for 40% of the coffee consumed around the world. Robusta beans are smaller and rounder but they have twice as much caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and are more likely to have earthy and woody undertones.
After learning about the four most commonly used types, it's now time to choose your favorite brew. If you want a smooth soft, delicate flavor, go for an arabica or a blend of arabica and robusta beans.