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

You've probably heard that different types produce different flavors. Learn more about four of the most well-known varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a variety of Liberica that is cultivated exclusively in Southeast Asia. They have a sweeter and tarter flavor, and are often added to blends of beans to add depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the world's most popular coffee and accounts for 75% of the world's premium coffee beans bean production. Arabica beans have a sweeter and less sour taste than Robusta, and come with a variety of flavor profiles. The aroma and taste of a particular coffee can vary greatly based on the climatic conditions and methods of processing employed to make it.

The word "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed that ancient Ethiopian shepherds noticed that their goats were energized after eating these fruits. The cultivation of coffee quickly spread across the globe.

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

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters concentrate on sourcing their arabica beans ethically by focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable growing practices. These companies blend arabica beans to create unique coffees, which can be used in different brewing methods. Blending allows control over the aroma, flavor and body, as well as the acidity of coffee. It is often used to create a consistent and balanced flavor that is appealing to a broad audience.

Robusta

Robusta beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular type of Coffee Beans Types bean that is grown worldwide. They have more caffeine per bean and are more protected against diseases and pests. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants that naturally occur. However, these acids could cause oxidation in the coffee beans online brewing process and can cause undesirable flavors.

The plant is more resilient than the arabica, and can grow in less favorable environments. It can withstand temperatures that are higher and does well in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, making it a more cost-effective crop to grow.

While it may seem counterintuitive, Robusta and arabica beans are often blended to make coffee blends. If you notice names like Uganda or Kenya on the bag of coffee it's likely that there's also some robusta.

Although some roasters exclusively use arabica beans, the majority use a mix of the two varieties in order to cut costs and ensure the quality. In order to preserve the quality of the flavor, it's important to choose a high-quality bean from a source you are confident with. 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 distinguishes them from other coffee bean varieties. They have a scent that is floral, fruity and smokey. They are paired with other types of coffee beans to give them a deeper, more robust taste.

Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as well as in Southeast Asia. They can grow in low altitudes, and they can tolerate humid, hot climates. They also have a much better resistance to diseases than Arabica and Robusta.

These qualities make them perfect for growing at home. Online, you can purchase seeds from numerous sources. However, it's best to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure quality. The best growing conditions for Liberica coffee plants are fertile deep volcanic soils that have moderately acidic pH as well as adequate annual rainfall.

Another kind of coffee beans bulk buy bean is Excelsa which was previously considered a distinct species, but is now classified as a variant of Liberica. These coffee beans are ovals that are cultivated on 20-30-foot coffee plants that are situated at medium altitudes. Their unique flavor is sweet and tart, making them a popular option for house blends. They have a more subtle aroma and higher caffeine content than Arabica or Robusta but they do possess a distinct depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most coveted type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't as easily accessible as Arabica or Robusta. They were considered to be to be a different species of coffee up until 2006, when they were reclassified to be 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. The coffee beans are shaped in the shape of a teardrop and are dark and mysterious in taste. They are often blended to add body and a full tart, ripe fruit taste.

Arabica beans are by far the most sought-after and are renowned for their sweeter flavor. They thrive in tropical and warm climates and at high altitudes. They also have a touch of acidity. If properly brewed and roasted they can be flavored like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most adored coffee bean shop near me in the world, and accounts for about 40% of the coffee consumed in the world. Robusta beans are smaller and rounder however 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 overtones.

Once you've mastered the four most popular types of coffee beans now is the time to pick the perfect cup. If you prefer an elegant and delicate taste go for an arabica bean or a blend comprised of robusta beans and arabica beans.