Coffee Beans Types: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

If you're a coffee lover, you likely already know that different beans have distinct flavor profiles. Learn more about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a type of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a fruitier and tarter flavor profile, and are often added to coffee blends to enhance the flavor.

Arabica

Arabica is the most sought-after coffee worldwide accounting for 75% of the world's coffee bean production. Arabica beans are milder and sweeter than Robusta. They also come in various flavour profiles. The aroma and taste of coffee are affected by the conditions under which it is grown as well as the processing methods used.

The word "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word that means berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that sprout within bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats were energy-rich after eating these fruit, and the cultivation of coffee quickly was a global phenomenon.

Coffee beans can grow at high altitudes and flourish in cool temperatures and lots of rain. This is one of the reasons why Arabica is regarded as the best-tasting type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters are focused on using ethically-sourced arabica beans by focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable cultivation practices. These companies blend arabica beans to create unique specialty coffees, which can be used in different brewing methods. Blending allows for control over the flavour, aroma and body of the coffee. It is often preferred in order to achieve a balanced and consistent taste that appeals to a larger market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most commonly used variety of luxury coffee beans (lovewiki.faith) bean cultivated worldwide. They contain more caffeine per bean and are more protected against pests and diseases. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids, which are naturally-occurring antioxidants. However, these acids could cause oxidation during the process of brewing coffee and may result in undesirable flavors.

The plant is more durable than the arabica and can be grown in less favorable climates. It can tolerate warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It is faster growing and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, which makes it a cheaper crop to grow.

While it may sound counterintuitive it's true that arabica and Robusta beans are often blended together to create coffee blends. If you've noticed the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya on a coffee bag, it's likely that there's some Robusta in there too.

Most roasters employ a mixture of arabica and coffee beans to cut costs and ensure quality. To maintain the integrity of the flavor, it's essential to select a high-quality bean from a source that you are confident in. This can be achieved by purchasing the beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped that makes them different from other varieties of coffee beans. They have a unique aroma that is floral and fruity with smokey undertones. They are often paired with other coffee bean varieties to add a fuller, more robust flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are available in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They can be grown at low altitudes and can withstand hot, humid climates. They are also more resistant to diseases than Arabica or Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal for home cultivation. Online, you can buy the seeds from various sources. However, it is ideal to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure high-quality. The best conditions for growing Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils with a pH that is moderately acidic and adequate annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa which was previously thought to be a separate species, but has been re-classified as a variant of Liberica. These coffee beans are elongated ovals that grow on large 20 to 30-foot coffee plants at medium altitudes. They have a distinctive taste that is both fruity and tart and has made them a sought-after choice for blends in house. They have a less pronounced scent and a lower caffeine content that is less than Arabica or Robusta but they do have a unique depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most sought-after kind of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite as readily available as Arabica or Robusta. In fact they were considered to be a separate coffee plant species until 2006 when they were reclassified as a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. They are grown in Southeast Asia today and account for 7 percent of the world's production of coffee. These barista coffee beans beans are shaped in the shape of teardrops and have a dark, mysterious taste. These beans are commonly used to give blends extra body and a sweet tart flavor of ripened fruits.

Arabica beans are by far the most popular and are renowned for their sweeter taste. They grow best at high altitudes, and they thrive in warm tropical climates. They are slightly acidic. When properly roasted and brewed, they can have notes of nuts, chocolate or even fruit.

Robusta is a close second only to Arabica and makes up about 40 percent of the world's beans. Robusta beans are more round and smaller, but they have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and are more likely to have earthy and woody overtones.

After you've learned about the four most widely used varieties of coffee beans now is the time to pick the perfect coffee. If you want a smooth soft, delicate flavor, go for an arabica or a blend of robusta and arabica beans.