Types of Coffee Beans Behind every cup of coffee that we enjoy, there are carefully graded beans. These beans are graded on size, color and shape. The AA grade is given to coffee beans that meet the above criteria, with the exception that they must not contain more than three defects (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans. Arabica Arabica coffee beans are also known as Coffea Arabicica and are the most popular coffee bean in the 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 fruits of the coffee plant. This led him to experiment with roasting the seeds before brewing them, making the drink that we drink today. While many varieties of coffee plants are available, there are only two main species that are used as the basis for all our favourite drinks: arabica and robusta. The flavor of the final beverage is usually more appealing when you drink the first. There are many different cultivars of arabica, each each possessing its own distinctive flavour profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most well-known 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 created in Kenya by Scott Labs and is known for its distinct chocolatey flavor. The flavour of a given arabica variety will depend on the environmental conditions in which it is cultivated, and also how it is handled and roasted. For example, the type of shade that a tree receives in its altitude, its elevation and soil composition could all play an important role in the final result. Robusta Robusta coffee beans, also referred to as coffee canephora are the second most popular type of coffee beans. They are the beans used to make the majority of instant drinks and have twice as much caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They are also used in many espresso blends, notably for cappuccino and caffe latte. Coffea Canephora is an African plant that was first discovered in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been grown all over the world since then. It is able to grow at lower altitudes and can withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, which makes it a more convenient crop for farmers. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta followed by Brazil and Indonesia. The robusta plant is a good coffee however it's not a popular choice among cupping enthusiasts due to its bitter taste and burnt-rubber aroma. 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 growing and small roasters are experimenting to make the most of its exceptional qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two exceptional robusta coffees that are blended with arabica to provide the perfect balance of flavor and strength. These beans are from Uganda in a country where robusta is a staple of the coffee industry for many years. You can learn more about them here. Liberica Liberica coffee beans are rare varieties that are seldom used around the globe. They make up less than 2% of the world's coffee bean consumption and are often overlooked because they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. However, these beans have an unique flavor that a lot of coffee lovers find irresistible. Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are especially common in Malaysia and Indonesia where there is an extensive Muslim population. The coffee industry in these countries has traditionally been very strong, and drinking the cup of coffee after prayer is part of the culture. The background of Liberica coffee dates back to the 1890s, when an outbreak of coffee leaf rust wiped out the majority of the world's arabica crop. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/coffee-beans prompted coffee farmers to search for a more robust plant that could flourish in tropical climates. They soon found the Liberica. Liberica plants are resistant to pests and diseases which makes them the perfect replacement for the destroyed arabica crop. Liberica also has the ability to thrive in hot temperatures and lower altitudes, which enabled it to thrive in the climate of Southeast Asia. Liberica beans are used to produce most of the coffee in the Philippines and Indonesia. Excelsa Although it's not common for coffee enthusiasts to find excelsa beans, they are quickly gaining recognition for their unique flavor. According to Komal Sable, a fifth generation coffee farmer with South India Coffee Co. The beans are "a variant of the liberica species that has similar teardrop-like shapes however, they are smaller." It's important to remember that despite the close resemblance between excelsa and liberica but this is not a separate one. It's a bit confusing how excelsa beans should be classified, and it's this confusion that has been the reason for this beans' minimal presence in the contemporary world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, farmers, and brewers don't know how to cultivate or utilize these beans effectively. It's up to each person to decide if he or she likes the taste of excelsa. it might take some time to find the right blend. It's essential to be open, and try each type of coffee until you find the one you like. By doing so you'll be able to explore the entire potential these unique beans have to provide. It's a journey that's well worth the trip.