Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, highest Rated coffee beans Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

If you're a coffee enthusiast you're likely to know that different types of beans produce varying flavor profiles. Learn about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica. Robusta. Liberica. and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans, which are a variety of Liberica is grown exclusively in Southeast Asia. They have a more fruity and tarter flavor, and are often added to blends of coffee to add depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the most sought-after coffee worldwide with 75% of the world's coffee bean production. Arabica beans are milder and sweeter than Robusta. They also come in different flavour profiles. The aroma and taste of a cup of coffee beans shop can differ in a wide range depending on the cultivation conditions and methods of processing used to produce it.

The word 'coffee' actually derives from the Arabic word for berry, and coffee beans are fruit seeds that grow inside bright red berries. It is believed ancient Ethiopian shepherds noticed that their goats were energized by eating these fruit berries. The cultivation of coffee grew quickly around the world.

Coffee beans can thrive at high altitudes and thrive in cool temperatures and lots of rain. This is one of the reasons for why Arabica is regarded as the best tasting type of coffee.

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters are focused on finding their arabica beans in a sustainable manner by focusing on fair compensation for farmers as well as sustainable growing practices. These companies often blend arabica beans to make unique specialty coffees that are suitable for a wide range of brewing methods. Blending can control the aroma, taste and body, as well as the acidity of fresh coffee beans. It is typically preferred to get a consistent and balanced flavor that appeals to a wider market.

Robusta

Robusta beans are the second most popular kind of coffee bean around the world. They contain more caffeine per bean than Arabica, and are more resistant to pests and disease. They also contain higher levels of chlorogenic acids which are antioxidants that occur naturally. These acids can cause oxidation in the brewing process, and can result in undesirable flavors.

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

While it may sound counterintuitive the fact is that arabica and Robusta beans are often blended together to create coffee blends. If you notice the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya on a coffee bag it's likely there's a bit of robusta too.

Most roasters employ a mixture of arabica and coffee beans to reduce costs and ensure quality. To preserve the integrity of flavor, you should choose the Highest Rated coffee beans quality beans from a reliable source. This can be done by purchasing your beans directly from the farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped which distinguishes them from other coffee bean types. They are characterized by a smell that is floral, fruity and smokey. They are paired with other types of coffee beans to give them a richer, more robust taste.

Liberica coffee beans can be found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They can be grown at low altitudes and can withstand hot, humid climates. They are also more resistant to diseases than Arabica or Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal for home cultivation. You can find the seeds online from a number of sources, however it's best to purchase them locally-owned producers to ensure the quality of the beans. The best growing conditions for Liberica coffee plants are fertile deep volcanic soils, with moderately acidic pH, and adequate annual rainfall.

Another kind of coffee bean is Excelsa which was originally considered a distinct species, but has been re-classified as an alternative to Liberica. These coffee beans are elongated ovals that are cultivated on 20 to 30-foot coffee plants that are located at medium altitudes. Their unique taste is both sweet and tart, making them a popular choice for blends made at home. They are also less pronounced in flavor and caffeine than Arabica and Robusta yet still have a distinct quality of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth-most popular kind of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite as easily accessible as Arabica or Robusta. They were actually thought to be to be a different species of coffee beans best until 2006 when they were classified as a synonym for Coffea Liberica var. dewevrei. They are produced in Southeast Asia today and account for 7 percent of the world's production of coffee. These coffee beans have a distinctive teardrop shape and carry an eerie, dark taste. They are often blended to give extra body and a luscious tart, ripe fruit flavor.

Arabica beans are the most popular and are well-known for their a sweeter taste. They thrive in tropical, warm climates and at high altitudes. They are slightly acidic. When properly roasted and brewed they can be a bit sweet with hints of nuts, chocolate coffee beans, or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most adored light roast coffee beans in the world, and is responsible for 40% of all coffee consumed globally. Robusta beans are rounder and smaller, yet contain more caffeine than Arabica. They also have more bitterness than the other two varieties and highest Rated coffee beans tend to have woody and earthy overtones.

After learning about the four most popular types, it's now time to select the best brew. If you prefer smooth and delicate flavors, choose an arabica bean or a blend made up of robusta and arabica beans.