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

You probably already know that different types of plants produce distinct flavors. Find out about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

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

Arabica

Arabica is the world's most popular coffee accounting for 75% of the world's Coffee beans types bean production. Arabica beans are milder and sweeter than Robusta and are available in a variety of flavours. The aroma and taste of a coffee can vary greatly based on the climatic conditions and methods of processing employed to make it.

The word "coffee" originates from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that develop within bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats were energized by eating fruit berries. The cultivation of strong coffee beans grew quickly all over the world.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes, and they are capable of flourishing when exposed to cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is one of the reasons that Arabica is considered to be the best tasting type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee beans coffee shops and roasters are focused on finding their arabica beans in a sustainable manner and focusing on fair pay for farmers and sustainable cultivation practices. These companies blend arabica beans to create unique coffees, which can be used in a variety of brewing methods. Blending allows control over the aroma, taste and body, as well as the acidity of coffee. It is usually utilized to create a consistent and balanced taste that appeals to a broad market.

Robusta

Robusta beans are the second most sought-after kind of coffee bean around the world. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica, and are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants found naturally. However, these acids may cause oxidation during the process of brewing coffee and may result in undesirable flavors.

The plant is more resilient than the arabica and can be grown in less favorable climates. It can tolerate warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, which makes it a cheaper crop to cultivate.

Although it may sound contradictory, Robusta and arabica beans are often blended to create coffee blends. If you notice the names of countries like Uganda or Kenya on a coffee bag, it's likely that there's some Robusta in there as well.

While some roasters exclusively use arabica beans, the majority use combine the two varieties in order to cut costs and ensure the quality. In order to preserve the integrity of the flavor, it's crucial to select a premium beans from a source you can trust. The best way to do this is to purchase your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football shaped that makes them different from other types of coffee beans. They have a smell that is fruity, floral and smoky. They are often paired with other coffee bean varieties to provide the fuller, more robust flavor.

Liberica coffee beans are grown in West Africa and Malaysia (Borneo) as and in 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 attributes make them ideal for home cultivation. You can purchase the seeds from many sources. However, it's best to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure the highest quality. The ideal conditions for the cultivation of Liberica coffee plants include fertile deep volcanic soils that have moderately acidic pH and adequate annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa which was previously considered a distinct species, but has been re-classified as a variant of Liberica. These coffee beans are ovals that grow on large 20 to 30 feet coffee plants that are located at medium altitudes. They have a distinctive taste that is both tart and fruity and has made them a popular selection in blends for house. They are also less pronounced in flavor and caffeine than Arabica and Robusta and Robusta, yet they have a distinct depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Excelsa coffee beans aren't as widely used as Arabica and Robusta, despite being the fourth most popular. In fact they were considered to be distinct species of coffee until 2006 when they were changed to a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. They are grown in Southeast Asia today and coffee beans shop account for 7% of the global production of coffee. These coffee beans are shaped like a teardrop and have a dark roast coffee beans, mysterious taste. They're frequently used in blends to provide extra body and a rich, tart, ripened fruit flavor.

Arabica beans are by far the most sought-after and are known for their sweeter taste. They thrive in tropical and warm climates and at high altitudes. They are slightly acidic. When properly roasted and brewed they can be a bit sweet with hints of nuts, chocolate, or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most adored coffee in the world and accounts for about 40% of the coffee consumed globally. Robusta beans are more round and smaller, yet contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties, and tend to have earthy and woody overtones.

After learning about the four most popular types, it's now time to choose your favorite brew. If you want a smooth soft, delicate flavor, go for an arabica bean or a blend of robusta and arabica beans.