Mathew Deshotel

Types of Coffee Beans

Behind every cup of good quality coffee beans (published here) we enjoy, are carefully graded bean. These beans are graded based on color, size and shape.

The AA rating is given to coffee beans that meet the criteria above, with the exception that they can't contain more than three defects (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.

Arabica

Arabica coffee decaf beans coffee, also referred to as Coffea arabica are the most well-known type of coffee beans in the world. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when the goat herder saw his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This prompted him to try roasting the seeds before brewing the coffee, resulting in the drink that we love today.

There are many different types of coffee plants, however only two are used in the production of our most popular brews: robusta and arabica. The former is generally thought to be superior to the latter and this is evident in the flavor of the final drink.

There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each has its own unique taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties either by natural mutations or intentional crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya and is renowned for its distinct chocolate flavor.

The flavor of an arabica variety is based on the conditions in which it was planted, and also how it was handled and cooked. The shade trees receive can have a significant effect on the final product.

Robusta

Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora, are the second most expensive coffee beans used kind of coffee beans. They are utilized in the majority of instant coffees, and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make a variety of espresso blends - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte and various other coffee drinks.

The Coffea Canephora plant was initially discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been grown all over the globe. It is able to grow at lower altitudes and can tolerate higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the largest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.

Although the robusta plant has its benefits but it's not as loved by cupping enthusiasts for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's often regarded as an inferior coffee and most large coffee companies employ arabica beans for their premium products.

However, the demand for gourmet coffee is growing and small roasters are experimenting with high-end robusta varieties in order to take advantage of its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees, which are blended with arabica to provide the perfect balance of flavour and strength. These are carefully procured from Uganda where robusta was grown for centuries. Read more about them.

Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are rare and are not used in the world. They're less than 2 percent of the world's total consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked since they do not have as much caffeine. But, they have a unique taste that many coffee enthusiasts find irresistible.

Despite being extremely scarce, Liberica coffee beans are still very popular in many parts of Asia. They are most prevalent in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a significant Muslim community. In these countries the coffee industry has been active for many years. The consumption of a cup of coffee following a prayer is a part of their tradition.

Liberica coffee's roots go back to the 1890s after a worldwide epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. This event prompted coffee producers to look for a robust plant that could flourish in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica.

Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests which makes them an ideal replacement for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica can also be grown in lower altitudes as well as hot temperatures which enables it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are the basis for the majority of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Excelsa

Although it's rare for dark roast coffee beans lovers to see excelsa beans in their cups, these unique beans are starting to gain recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. They are "a variant of the liberica species, and have similar teardrop shapes, however, they are smaller." It is important to note that despite the close resemblance between excelsa and liberica but this is not a separate one.

It's not easy to classify excelsa beans. This confusion is to blame for the low existence of these beans in the contemporary coffee world. Many roasters, growers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and utilize these beans.

It's the individual's responsibility to decide if they like the flavor of excelsa. it could take a while to find the perfect blend. It's crucial to be flexible and try different kinds of coffee until you've found the one you like. You'll discover the vast array of possibilities the unique beans have to offer. It's a trip worth taking.