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

If you're a fan of coffee, you likely already know that different kinds of beans can produce different flavors. Learn more about four of the most sought-after 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 tarter flavor profile, and are often added to blends of amazon coffee beans to add depth.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are responsible for 75% of global production. Arabica beans are milder and sweeter than Robusta, and they come in different flavour profiles. The aroma and taste of a cup of coffee can differ significantly based on the growing conditions and processing methods employed to make it.

The word "coffee beans Types" actually originates from the Arabic word for berry, and coffee beans are actually fruit seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats were stimulated by eating these berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly all over the world.

Coffee beans can thrive at high altitudes and flourish in cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is why Arabica organic coffee beans is considered to be the most delicious type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters concentrate on the ethical sourcing of arabica beans, and focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable farming practices. These companies blend arabica beans in order to create unique coffees, which can be used in many different brewing techniques. Blending can control the aroma, flavor and body as well as acidity of coffee. It is usually utilized to create an even and balanced taste that appeals to a broad market.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most commonly used variety of coffee bean grown across the globe. They contain more caffeine per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants naturally found in. However, these acids can cause oxidation in the process of brewing coffee and could result in unpleasant flavors.

The plant itself is more robust than arabica, able thrive in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It is able to withstand higher temperatures and does well in direct sun. It is faster growing and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, making it a cheaper crop to cultivate.

While it may sound counterintuitive it's true that arabica and Robusta beans are often blended together to create coffee blends. If you see names such as Uganda or Kenya on the bag of coffee it's possible that there is also some robusta.

Although some roasters only use arabica beans but the majority do combine both varieties to lower costs and preserve quality. To maintain the integrity of the flavor, it's essential to select a top-quality coffee beans bean from a supplier you can trust. The best way to do this is to buy 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 floral, fruity and smoky. They are paired with other coffee bean types to provide them with a more rich, more robust taste.

Liberica coffee beans are found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They are adaptable to humid, hot climates and can grow at low altitudes. They are also more resistant to disease than Arabica or Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal for home cultivation. On the internet, you can purchase seeds from a variety of sources. However, it is best to buy the beans from local producers to guarantee quality. The ideal conditions for growing Liberica unroasted coffee beans plants include fertile, deep volcanic soils with moderately acidic pH as well as adequate annual rainfall.

Excelsa is a different variety of coffee bean. It was originally classified as a distinct species, but has since been classified as a Liberica variant. These coffee beans are ovals that grow on large 20 to 30-foot coffee plants that are situated at medium altitudes. Their distinctive taste is sweet and tart, making them a popular choice for blends that are house-made. They have a more subtle aroma and caffeine content that is lower than Arabica or Robusta but still have a unique depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth-most popular kind of coffee beans Excelsa beans aren't as easy to find as Arabica or Robusta. In fact they were considered to be a distinct coffee plant species until 2006 when they were changed to a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. They are produced in Southeast Asia today and account for 7% of the world's production of coffee. These coffee beans have a distinctive teardrop-shaped shape and possess a dark, mysterious taste. These beans are commonly used to give blends more body and a rich tart taste of ripe fruit.

Arabica beans are the most well-known, and are known for having an apricot-like flavor. They thrive at high altitudes, and they thrive in warm tropical climates. They have a slight acidity. When properly roasted and brewed they may be flavored with notes of nuts, chocolate, or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most popular coffee worldwide, and accounts for about 40% of all coffee consumed in the world. Robusta beans are smaller and more round, but have twice as much caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and tend to have woody and earthy undertones.

After you've learned about the four most common types and their characteristics, it's time to select your favorite brew. If you're looking for a smooth mild flavor, go for an arabica or a blend of arabica and robusta beans.