Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa
You've probably heard that different varieties produce distinct flavors. Find out more about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa.
Excelsa beans are a type of Liberica that is only grown in Southeast Asia. They have a sweeter and more tart flavor profile and are often added to blends of coffee to add depth.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans make up 75% of the world's production. Arabica beans are sweeter and milder in flavor than Robusta and are available in a variety of flavor profiles. The taste and aroma components of a cup of coffee can differ widely depending on the growing conditions and methods of processing employed to make it.
The word "coffee" is derived from the Arabic word meaning berry. Coffee beans are actually seeds that grow in bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds noticed that their goats were energized by eating fruit berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly across the globe.
Coffee beans can be grown at higher altitudes, and they are capable of flourishing when exposed to cold temperatures and plenty of rain. This is why Arabica coffee is believed to be the best tasting type of coffee.
Many specialty coffee shops and roasters are focused on ethically sourced arabica beans, with a focus 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 flavour, aroma, body, and acidity of the coffee and is often preferred in order to achieve an even and consistent taste that appeals to a wider market.
Robusta
Robusta beans are the second most sought-after type of coffee bean around the world. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to pests and disease. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants found naturally. However, these acids may cause oxidation during the process of brewing coffee and may result in undesirable flavors.
The plant itself is more durable than arabica, able thrive in less favorable climate conditions and at lower elevations. It can tolerate higher temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and is growing faster than arabica. This makes it a more cost effective crop to grow.
While it may seem counterintuitive it's true that arabica and Robusta beans are often blended to create coffee blends. If you've seen the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya listed on a coffee bag, it's likely that there's some Robusta in there as well.
Most roasters use a mixture of arabica and coffee beans to reduce costs and maintain quality. To preserve the integrity of the flavor, it's crucial to select a high-quality bean from a source that you can trust. This can be achieved by buying your beans directly from the farmer.
Liberica
Liberica beans are more or less football shaped, which makes them distinct from other
types of coffee beans. They have a distinctive aroma that is floral and fruity with smokey undertones. They are added to other types of coffee beans to give them a richer, more robust taste.
Liberica
unroasted coffee beans wholesale beans are found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They can be found at low altitudes and withstand humid, hot climates. They are also more resistant to diseases than Arabica or Robusta.
These qualities make them ideal to grow at home. Online, you can buy the seeds from many sources. However, it is best to purchase the beans from local producers to ensure high-quality. The best growing conditions for Liberica coffee plants include fertile deep volcanic soils that have moderately acidic pH and adequate annual rainfall.
Excelsa is another type of coffee bean. It was once classified as a distinct species, but has now been classified as a Liberica variant. These coffee beans are ovals that grow on 20 to 30-foot coffee plants at moderate altitudes. Their unique flavor is tart and sour, which makes them a popular option for blends that are house-made. They have a lighter scent and a lower caffeine content that is lower than Arabica or Robusta but they still possess a distinct depth of flavor.
Excelsa
Excelsa coffee beans aren't as popular as Arabica and Robusta, although they're fourth popular. In fact they were regarded as a separate coffee plant species until 2006 when they were reclassified to a synonym for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7% of the world's coffee production. The coffee beans are shaped as teardrops and possess a dark, mysterious taste. They are often blended to add body and a full, tart, ripened fruit taste.
Arabica beans are the most well-known and are known for their sweeter taste. They thrive in warm, tropical climates as well as at higher altitudes. They also have a bit of acidity. If they are brewed correctly and roast properly they may have notes like chocolate, nuts or even fruit.
Robusta is a close second only to Arabica and is responsible for about 40 percent of the world's coffee. Robusta beans are smaller and more round however, they contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and tend to have woody and earthy undertones.
Now that you've learned the four most popular types of coffee beans and the four most popular types of coffee beans, it's time to select the perfect coffee. If you're looking for a smooth mild flavor, go for an arabica bean or a blend of arabica and robusta beans.