Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of coffee we drink there are beans that have been carefully graded. The beans are graded based on color, size and shape.

The AA grade is assigned to coffee beans that satisfy all the above criteria except they should not contain more than three deficient qualities (quakers). These beans are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most well-known bean in the entire world. Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This inspired him to explore roasting and brewing the seeds, creating the beverage we know and love to this day.

There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used in the production of our favourite brews - arabica and robusta. The taste of the final drink is typically more appealing with the first.

There are many different cultivars of arabica, with each possessing its own distinctive flavour profile. Two of the most famous varieties are Typica and Bourbon, from which the other varieties of arabica were developed either through natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya that is renowned for its distinctive chocolate taste.

The taste of an arabica variety will vary based on the environment in the area it is grown and also on how it is treated and roasted. For instance, the kind of shade that a tree receives as well as its altitude and soil composition will all play an important influence on the final outcome.

Robusta

Robusta Wholesale Coffee Beans Uk beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the second most used kind of coffee. They are the beans that are used in the majority of instant coffees. They also have twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also utilized in many espresso blends, notably for cappuccino and caffe latte.

The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been cultivated all over the globe. It can grow at lower altitudes and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a better crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee, 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 notes. Most major coffee companies utilize arabica beans for their premium products because it's considered to be a less premium coffee.

The demand for premium coffees is increasing and small roasters are experimenting to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two examples of exceptional robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica for the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These are coffees from Uganda, a country where robusta has been grown for a long time. Learn more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and are rarely used around the world. They make up less than 2% of the global coffee consumption and are often overlooked due to the fact that 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.

Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many parts of Asia. The most common place for these beans is in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been extremely strong and the cup of coffee during prayer is a part of the tradition.

The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s when a worldwide outbreak of coffee leaf rust killed the majority of the world's arabica crop. The event prompted coffee makers to search for a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant.

Liberica plants have a high tolerance to diseases and pests which makes the perfect substitute for the devastation of the arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to grow in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, allowing it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why today, most of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia comes from Liberica beans.

Excelsa

Although it's not typical for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these exclusive beans are gaining an image due to their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation coffee farmer excelsa beans have a similar teardrop-shaped shape, but are much smaller. It's important to keep in mind that despite the family resemblance between excelsa and liberica the species isn't a separate one.

It's not clear how to classify excelsa beans. This confusion is responsible for the absence of their presence in the modern world Taylors of Harrogate Espresso Beans - 1kg Pack coffee. Due to this, many roasters, growers and brewers don't know how to cultivate and utilize these beans in a proper manner.

In the end, it's entirely up to the individual to determine whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee and it could take a longer to find a blend that fits their preferences. The key is to be open-minded and give each type of coffee a go until you find one you truly love. By doing so you'll be able enjoy the full range of possibilities that these unique beans have to offer. It's a trip that's worth the effort.