Entrada del blog por Mathew Deshotel
Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy there are carefully graded beans. These beans are graded based on color, size and shape.
The AA grade is given to coffee beans that satisfy all the criteria above, with the exception that they cannot have more than three deficient quality (quakers). These are usually Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most popular bean in the entire world. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd's energy levels increased after eating the fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to experiment with roasting the seeds and brewing them, making the drink that we drink today.
There are many varieties of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our most popular brews: arabica and robusta. The taste of the final beverage is typically better when you drink the robusta variety.
There are many different cultivars of arabica, each each having its own unique flavour profile. Two of the most well-known varieties are Typica and Bourbon, from which all other arabica varieties have been developed, through natural mutation or intentional crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance was created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolatey flavor.
The flavor of an arabica variety is based on the conditions in the conditions it was cultivated, and also the way it was handled and roasted. For instance, the type of shade a plant receives in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition can all play an important role in the final result.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora are the second most used variety of coffee. They are utilized in the majority of instant coffees. They also contain twice as much caffeine than Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in numerous espresso blends, specifically for caffe latte and cappuccino.
Coffea Canephora is an African plant that was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated across the world since then. It is able to grow at lower elevations and tolerate higher temperatures than Arabica coffee plants, making it more suited to farmers. Vietnam is currently the biggest producer of robusta coffee followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
Although the robusta plant has its merits however, it's not as adored by cupping aficionados for its bitter taste and smoky rubber notes. It's usually regarded as inferior quality coffee and a majority of the major coffee companies use arabica beans for their premium products.
However, the demand for gourmet coffee is increasing, and even small roasters are trying out premium robusta varieties to profit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee bean company and Death With coffee bean shop coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that are blended with arabica to achieve the perfect balance between flavor and strength. These coffees are expertly obtained from Uganda, where robusta has been grown for many centuries. You can learn more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are scarce and aren't used much around the world. They're less than percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked since they do not contain the same amount of caffeine. However, these beans possess distinctive taste that many coffee enthusiasts find irresistible.
Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce, are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. The most common place for these beans is in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a large Muslim community. In these countries, the coffee industry has been active for many years. Drinking a cup of coffee after prayers is a part types of coffee beans their customs.
The background of Liberica coffee began in the 1890s when a global epidemic types of coffee beans coffee leaf rust killed most of the world's arabica crop. This triggered coffee makers to search for an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.
Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases making them a perfect replacement for the ravaged arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower elevations and higher temperatures that allow it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is why, today, most of the coffee produced in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is derived from Liberica beans.
Excelsa
While it's not usual for coffee lovers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these more rare beans are gaining recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co., these beans are "a variation of the liberica species that has the same teardrop shape, but a smaller size." But despite this resemblance to the family it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a separate species.
It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely to blame for the low the presence of these beans in the modern world of coffee. Many roasters, growers, and brewers have no idea how to properly cultivate and use these beans.
Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee and it may take a longer to find a blend that suits their preferences. It is important to be open and test every type of coffee until you discover the one you love. If you do this you'll be able to enjoy the full potential these unique beans can provide. It's a journey that's well worth the ride.