All You Want To Know About Your Favorite Coffee Beans
Walking through the coffee aisle of your cafe, you’ve probably noticed at some point that nearly, if not all, of the bags, say “Arabica Coffee” or “Arabica Beans” on them. Have you ever wondered why? There are four main types of coffee beans, with Arabica being the most popular one. When we think about how coffee is classified and sold, we think of things like roasting characteristics and source of origin. This information is useful in determining what to anticipate from a particular coffee, but it does not convey the entire picture. Let’s take a deeper look at the variety of delicious beans available and what makes each one of them unique.
Arabica (Coffea Arabica)
First on the list being Arabica, which is one of the most common and popular coffee beans, accounting for 60% of the world’s coffee production. This type of coffee bean is very popular due to its complex taste profiles and aromas.
Coffee connoisseurs love high-quality Arabica beans for their delicate and distinctive flavors, smooth body, and refined acidity. The beans may have a fruity, nutty, or even chocolatey flavor depending on where the plant grows and how it is picked. Arabica beans are known as higher quality and have a high demand which makes them more expensive than other types of coffee beans.
Robusta (Coffea Caniphora)
You’ve also probably heard of Robusta, which is the world’s second-most-produced coffee after Arabica. Its name is no coincidence. The Robusta varietal is extremely tolerant of its environment and practically immune to disease. Robusta coffee may grow at a variety of elevations, although it thrives in hot climates with erratic rainfall.
Robusta coffee beans have almost double the amount of caffeine compared to Arabica beans — in fact, caffeine is what makes Robusta plants so robust! It is also known for most instant coffees or as a filler in dark roasts. Thus, tastes great when served even cold with cream and sugar. Don’t forget, they make a great cup of iced coffee!
Liberica ( Coffea Liberica )
Liberica is harder to come by in the coffee world these days, but this varietal has an important place in the world’s coffee history. Liberica beans are larger than the others, often asymmetrical, and they’re the only coffee bean in the world that has such an irregular shape. The beans are said to have a unique aroma just like its shape, consisting of floral and fruity notes, with a full body that possesses a smoky taste; those who have had Liberica coffee say that it is unlike any coffee they have ever tasted — with many saying it does not even taste like coffee. These beans aren’t widely grown hence they’re hard to come by in the commercial market.
Excelsa ( Coffea excelsa or Coffea liberica var. Dewevrei )
Excelsa coffee beans are also cultivated very little. They constitute only 7% of the overall coffee consumption in the world. Although Excelsa has just been reclassified as a part of the Liberica family, the two could not be more unlike; in fact, some members of the coffee community would still see it as a different species. It’s commonly used in blends to give the coffee a burst of taste and complexity, influencing the middle and back palates more effectively. Excelsa is described as having a tart and fruity body, with tastes suggestive of a mild roast, and dark, roasty undertones. This mystery lures coffee drinkers from around the world to try and seek out the varietal.
The four varieties of major coffee beans from throughout the world are listed above. The main thing to remember is that it’s all about finding what works for you, so try different things and enjoy the process, Voila !!