Coffee Bean Types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa

You've probably heard that different varieties produce distinct flavors. Learn more about four of the most popular varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa.

Excelsa beans are a kind of Liberica that is grown only in Southeast Asia. They have a tangier, more tart flavor and are often utilized in blends of coffee to add depth.

Arabica

Arabica is the most well-known coffee in the world and accounts for 75% of the world's coffee beans produced. Arabica beans are sweeter and milder in flavor than Robusta and come in a variety of flavour profiles. The flavor and aroma of coffee are affected by the conditions under which it is grown and the processing methods used.

The word 'coffee' actually is derived from the Arabic word for berry and coffee beans are actually fruit seeds that are cultivated inside bright red berries. It is believed that the ancient Ethiopian shepherds discovered that their goats became energized after eating these berries, and the cultivation of coffee quickly began to spread throughout the world.

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

Many specialty coffee shops and roasters insist on sourcing their arabica beans ethically and focusing on fair pay for farmers and sustainable growing practices. These companies typically blend arabica beans to make unique specialty coffees that are well-suited for a wide range of brewing methods. Blending can be used to control the aroma, flavor as well as body and acidity of the coffee and is frequently preferred to achieve an even and consistent flavor that appeals to a wider market.

Robusta

Robusta beans are the second most sought-after kind of coffee bean around the world. They have a higher caffeine content per bean than Arabica and are more resistant to disease and pests. They also have higher levels of chlorogenic acid, which are antioxidants naturally found in. These acids can cause oxidation during the brewing process, and can result in undesirable flavors.

The plant is more robust than the arabica and may thrive in less favorable conditions. It can tolerate warmer temperatures and thrives in direct sunlight. It produces more coffee per plant and grows faster than arabica. This makes it a cost effective crop to grow.

Although it might sound odd, Robusta and arabica beans are often blended to make organic coffee beans blends. If you see the names of countries such as Uganda or Kenya on a coffee bag, it's likely that there's a bit of robusta as well.

Most roasters employ a mixture of arabica and coffee beans in order to cut costs and preserve the quality. To ensure the quality of the flavor, it's important to select a top-quality bean from a source that you trust. This can be achieved by purchasing your beans direct from a farmer.

Liberica

Liberica beans are more or less football-shaped and are therefore distinct from other varieties of Strong Coffee Beans beans. They are characterized by a smell that is floral, fruity and smoky. They are paired with other types of coffee bean suppliers beans to give them a deeper and more robust flavor.

Liberica coffee beans can be found in West Africa, Malaysia (Borneo), and Southeast Asia. They can be found at low altitudes and can withstand hot, humid climates. They also have a much better resistance to diseases than Arabica and Robusta.

These characteristics make them ideal to grow at home. Online, you can purchase seeds from numerous sources. However, it is recommended to purchase the beans from local producers in order to ensure high-quality. The ideal conditions for growing Liberica coffee plants are fertile deep volcanic soils with moderately acidic pH as well as adequate annual rainfall.

Another type of coffee bean is Excelsa which was originally considered to be a separate species but was later re-classified to be a variation of Liberica. These oval-shaped coffee beans grow on large coffee plants, which can grow to 20-30 feet in height at moderate altitudes. They have a distinctive taste that is both tart and fruity, which has made them a popular selection in blends for house. They are also lighter on the aroma and caffeine compared to Arabica and Robusta, but still possess a unique quality of flavor.

Excelsa

Although they're the fourth most popular kind of coffee beans, Excelsa beans aren't quite so easy to locate as Arabica or Robusta. In fact, they were considered an individual species of coffee plant until 2006 when they were reclassified as an alternative to Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Nowadays, they're grown mostly in Southeast Asia and account for 7% of the world's coffee beans online production. The coffee beans are shaped as teardrops and have a dark, mysterious taste. These beans are often utilized to give blends extra body and a sweet tart flavor of ripened fruits.

Arabica beans are the most well-known, and are known for having the most delicious taste. They thrive at higher altitudes, and they thrive in warm tropical climates. They also have a touch of acidity. If brewed and roasted correctly, they can have notes like nuts, chocolate or even fruit.

Robusta is the second most sought-after coffee around the world. It accounts for about 40% of all unroasted coffee beans wholesale consumed worldwide. These beans are smaller and more round but they have 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.

After you've learned about 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 to enjoy a smooth, delicate flavor, opt for an arabica bean or a blend of arabica and robusta beans.