Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy, are carefully graded bean. The beans are graded based on color, size and shape.

The AA grade is given to unroasted coffee beans beans that meet the criteria mentioned above, with the exception that they can't contain more than 3 defects (quakers). They are typically 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. The legend says that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia when the goat herder saw his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the drink we all know and love today.

There are many varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favourite brews - robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought to be superior to the latter, and this is reflected in the flavor of the final drink.

There are many different arabica cultivars. Each has distinct flavor profiles. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon from which all other arabica varieties have been developed, either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya which is famous for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The taste of an arabica variety depends on the conditions in which it was grown, and also the way it was handled and roasted. For instance, the type of shade that a tree receives in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition could all play a part in the final flavor.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most common variety of coffee. These beans 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, notably for caffe latte and cappuccino.

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

The robusta plant makes a wonderful coffee, but it's not popular with cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber aroma. It's usually regarded as a poorer quality coffee, and many large coffee producers make use of arabica beans to create top-quality products.

The demand for specialty coffees is increasing, and small roasters are experimenting to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With bulk coffee Beans (http://led-5i8l419h33n.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=0408&wr_id=25156) are two exceptional robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica to give the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These coffees come from Uganda in a country where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. Read more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are seldom used around the globe. They account for less than 2% of worldwide coffee consumption. They are often overlooked since they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. These beans have a distinct flavor that a lot of coffee drinkers find appealing.

Liberica coffee beans, despite being extremely rare however, are quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are most popular in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is an extensive Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has always been very strong and drinking an espresso after prayer is part of the tradition.

The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a worldwide epidemic of rusty coffee leaves killed the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee producers to discover an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants are resistant to disease and pests, making them a perfect replacement for the depleted arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to flourish in hot temperatures and lower altitudes. This allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is the reason why, today, most of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's rare for coffee drinkers to come across excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are beginning to earn the reputation of having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co. These beans are "a variant of the liberica species with a similar teardrop shape but are smaller in size." But despite this family resemblance, it's important to note that excelsa is technically not a separate species.

So, it's little ambiguous as to how excelsa beans should be classified, and it's this confusion that has been at the root of the beans' absence in the world of coffee. Many growers, roasters and brewers aren't aware of how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

It's ultimately up to each person to decide if he or she likes the taste of excelsa and it can take a while to find the perfect blend. The key is to be open-minded and give each type of coffee a try until you discover one you truly enjoy. You'll get to explore the vast array of possibilities the unique beans have to offer. It's a trip worth taking.