Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa
You probably already know that different varieties produce distinct flavors. Learn more about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa.
Excelsa beans are a kind of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a fruitier and more tart flavor profile and are often used in blends of coffee to add depth.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans account for 75% of all global production. Arabica beans are sweeter and less acidic than Robusta, and they come in different flavors. The taste and aroma components of a gourmet coffee beans can vary widely depending on the growing conditions and processing techniques employed to produce it.
The word “coffee” is derived from the Arabic word for berry and coffee beans online beans are fruit seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds found that their goats were energized by eating these berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly all over the world.
Coffee beans can be grown at higher altitudes and are capable of thriving when exposed to cool temperatures and plenty of rain. This is one of the main reasons why Arabica is considered to be the best tasting type of coffee.
Many specialty coffee roasters and shops are focused on using ethically-sourced arabica beans by focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable growing practices. These companies blend arabica beans in order to create unique signature coffees that are suitable for different brewing methods. Blending allows control over the aroma, taste, body and acidity of coffee. It is usually used to create a consistent and balanced taste that appeals to a broad market.
Robusta
Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most widely used type of coffee bean cultivated worldwide. They contain more caffeine per bean than Arabica, and are more resistant to disease and pests. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acids that are antioxidants that occur naturally. However, these acids may cause oxidation during the process of brewing coffee and can cause undesirable flavors.
The plant is more durable than the arabica, and can grow in less favorable environments. It can tolerate higher temperatures and does well in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and is growing faster than arabica. This makes it a more economically viable crop to cultivate.
While it might seem contradictory it’s true that Robusta beans are often blended with arabica beans to create coffee bean shop blends. If you notice names like Uganda or Kenya on the coffee bags it’s possible there’s also some robusta.
The majority of roasters utilize a mix of arabica and coffee beans to lower costs while maintaining the quality. To ensure the integrity of the flavor you must select a high quality bean from a reliable source. The best way to achieve this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.
Liberica
Liberica beans are more or less football shaped, which makes them distinct from other varieties of coffee beans. They have a smell that is fruity, floral and smoky. They are often added to other beans to give the fuller, more robust flavor.
Liberica amazon coffee beans (olderworkers.com.au) beans can be found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They can be found at low altitudes, and they can tolerate humid, hot climates. They are also more resistant to disease than Arabica or Robusta.
These qualities make them perfect for home cultivation. You can purchase seeds from numerous sources. However, it’s best to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure high-quality. 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 once classified as a separate species, but has since been reclassified as a Liberica variant. These coffee beans are ovals that are cultivated on 20-30 foot coffee bean suppliers near me plants at medium altitudes. Their distinctive taste is tart and sour, which makes them a popular choice for blends that are house-made. They are also lighter on aroma and caffeine than Arabica and Robusta and Robusta, yet they have a distinct richness of flavor.
Excelsa
Although they’re the fourth most sought-after type of coffee beans Excelsa beans aren’t as readily available as Arabica or Robusta. In fact, they were considered distinct species of coffee until 2006 when they were classified as a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. These days, they’re mostly grown in Southeast Asia and account for 7% of the world’s coffee production. The coffee beans are distinctive with a teardrop shape, and an intriguing dark flavor. They’re frequently used in blends to add body and a full tart, ripe fruit taste.
Arabica beans are the most popular and are well-known for their an apricot-like flavor. They thrive in tropical, warm climates and at high altitudes. They also have a touch of acidity. If they are brewed correctly and roast properly, they can have notes like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.
Robusta is the second most adored coffee in the world, and accounts for about 40% of the coffee consumed globally. These beans are smaller and more round but they have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties, and tend to have woody and earthy undertones.
After having learned about the four most popular types and their characteristics, it’s time to select the best brew. If you prefer a smooth and delicate flavor, choose an arabica bean or a blend made up of arabica beans and robusta beans.