Types of Coffee Beans Behind every cup of coffee we sip there are carefully graded beans. These beans are analyzed by their size and shape, color, shape and density. The AA grade is granted to coffee beans that fulfill the above criteria, with the exception that they can't contain more than 3 defects (quakers). These are typically Kenya AA beans. Arabica Arabica coffee beans, also known as Coffea arabica are the most sought-after kind of coffee bean in the 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 fruit of the coffee plant. This led him to try roasting and making the seeds into the beverage we now know and love today. There are many different types of coffee plants, but only two are used to make our favorite 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 beverage. There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each has its own distinct taste profile. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-beans and Bourbon are two of the most sought-after arabica cultivars. All other arabica cultivars were derived from these two varieties either through natural mutations or deliberate crossbreeding. The SL28 cultivar, for instance, was developed in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinctive chocolatey flavour. The flavor of an arabica variety is based on the environment in which it was grown as well as the method by which it was handled and roasted. The shade trees receive can have a significant impact on the final product. Robusta Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora) are the second most popular variety of coffee. They are the beans used in the majority of instant coffees and contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make many blends of espresso - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte, and other coffee drinks. Coffea Canephora is a plant which was discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been cultivated throughout the world since. It can grow at lower elevations and is able to withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a much more practical crop for farmers. Vietnam is the largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia. The robusta plant is a good coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber hints. Most large coffee companies use arabica bean for their top products since it's considered to be a less premium coffee. The demand for premium coffees is increasing, and small roasters are trying to capitalize on its outstanding qualities. Our Valhalla Java coffee and Death With Coffee coffee are two examples. Both are exceptional robustas that blend with arabica to create the perfect balance between the strength and flavor. These are coffees from Uganda in a country where robusta has long been cultivated. Read more about them. Liberica Liberica coffee beans are a rare variety that are not often used in the world. They're less than 2 percent of the world's consumption of coffee beans, and are often overlooked because they don't have the same amount of caffeine. But, they have distinctive flavor that coffee lovers find irresistible. Liberica coffee beans, though extremely scarce they are still very popular in certain parts of Asia. The most common place for these beans is in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is a huge Muslim community. The coffee industry in these countries has always been very strong, and drinking an espresso after prayer is part of the tradition. The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s when a global epidemic of coffee leaf rust wiped out the majority of the world's arabica crop. This triggered coffee producers to discover a more resilient species that could thrive in tropical climates, and they quickly discovered the Liberica plant. Liberica plants have a high tolerance for pests and diseases and pests, making the perfect substitute for the devastated arabica crop. Liberica can also grow in lower altitudes and high temperatures which allows it to thrive in Southeast Asia's climate. Liberica beans are the main ingredient in the production of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia. Excelsa Although it's rare for coffee drinkers to find excelsa beans in their cups, these rarer beans are beginning to gain the reputation of having a distinct flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer at South India Coffee Co. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species, and have similar teardrop shapes, but smaller size." But, despite this family resemblance it is important to remember that excelsa is technically not a distinct species. It's not clear how to categorize excelsa beans. This confusion is largely responsible for the lack of presence of these beans in the modern coffee world. Because of this, many roasters, growers and brewers aren't sure how to cultivate or utilize the beans correctly. It is ultimately up to the individual to decide whether they like the flavor of excelsa coffee. It may take a longer to find a blend that fits your preferences. The most important thing is to remain open-minded and give each type of coffee a try until you find one that you truly enjoy. If you do this, you'll be able to discover the wide range of possibilities that these unique beans can provide. It's a trip that's worth the trip.