Mathew Deshotel

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

You've probably heard that different varieties produce distinct flavors. Find out about four of the most well-known varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a kind of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a sweeter and more tart flavor profile and are often added to blends of coffee to enhance the flavor.

Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are responsible for 75% of the world's production. Arabica beans are milder and have a sweeter flavor than Robusta and come with a variety of flavor profiles. The aroma and taste of a coffee beans in bulk may vary in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and processing methods employed to produce it.

The word 'coffee' actually comes from the Arabic word for berry, and coffee beans are actually fruit seeds that are cultivated inside bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats became more energetic after eating the fruits, and the cultivation of coffee soon began to spread throughout the world.

Coffee beans can be grown at high altitudes and are capable of thriving in cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is one of the reasons for why Arabica is regarded as the best tasting coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters concentrate on ethically sourced arabica beans, and focusing on fair wages for farmers and sustainable farming practices. These companies blend arabica beans in order to create unique signature coffees that are suitable for a variety of brewing methods. Blending gives you control over the aroma, flavor as well as body and acidity of the coffee. It is often preferred in order to create an even and consistent flavor that appeals to a wider market.

Robusta

Robusta beans are the second most coveted kind of coffee bean around the world. They have a higher amount of caffeine per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to diseases and pests. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acids which are antioxidants that naturally occur. These acids can cause oxidation in the coffee's brewing process and cause undesirable flavors.

The plant itself is more robust than arabica, and can thrive in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It can tolerate higher temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It grows faster and produces more coffee per plant than arabica, which makes it a more cost-effective plant to grow.

While it may sound counterintuitive, Robusta and arabica beans are often blended together to create coffee blends. If you see names like Uganda or Kenya on the coffee bags, it's possible that there's also some robusta.

Although some roasters only use arabica beans but the majority do combine the two varieties to reduce costs and ensure the good quality coffee beans. To preserve the flavor integrity you should select the highest quality beans from a trusted source. The best method 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 types beans. They have an aroma that is fruity, floral and smoky. They are often added to other types of top 10 coffee beans beans to give them a more rounded and more robust taste.

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

These qualities make them perfect for growing at home. On the internet, you can purchase seeds from a variety of sources. However, it's recommended to purchase the beans from local producers in order to ensure high-quality. The ideal conditions for growing Liberica coffee include fertile deep volcano soils with a pH that is moderately acidic, and enough annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa that was once considered to be a separate species but is now classified as a variant of Liberica. These coffee beans with an oval shape grow on large coffee plants that range from 20 to 30 feet in height at moderate altitudes. Their unique taste is both tart and sour, which makes them a popular option for house blends. They have a milder aroma and higher caffeine content that is less than Arabica or Robusta but they still have a distinctive depth of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most coveted type of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite as easy to find as Arabica or Robusta. They were actually regarded as an entirely different species of coffee up until 2006, at which point they were reclassified to become a synonym for Coffea Liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7 percent of the world's coffee production. These coffee beans have the shape of a teardrop and have a dark, mysterious taste. These beans are often used to give blends more body and a sweet tart flavor of ripened fruits.

Arabica beans are the most sought-after, and are known for having more sweetness. They grow best at high altitudes and cheap coffee beans are able to thrive in warm, tropical climates. They also have a hint of acidity. If properly roasted and brewed they may have notes of chocolate, nuts, or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most sought-after coffee in the world and is responsible for 40% of all Coffee Beans Types consumed in the world. These beans are rounder and smaller, yet they contain twice as much caffeine than Arabica. They are also more bitter than the other two types and have an earthy and woody taste.

Now that you've learned the four most common types of coffee beans now is the time to pick the perfect cup. If you prefer a smooth and delicate flavor, choose an arabica bean or a blend made up of robusta beans and arabica beans.