Understanding the Different Types of Coffee Beans
Have you ever noticed how the majority of coffee bags in your local grocery store say Arabica Beans or Arabica Coffee? This is because Arabica is one of the most, if not the most, common types of coffee beans, accounting for over 60% of the coffee produced globally. There are many other types and roasting profiles of coffee that you may have never heard of. Many would think that the source of origin of the coffee bean plays the biggest role in the flavor. However, other great factors contribute to the process of how it is marketed and categorized. We’re here to let you know what these factors are and what’s so special about them. So here’s a closer look at each of the most common types of coffee beans.
Robusta
This bean is most popularly used in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. It’s the second most-produced globally after Arabica beans and is distinguished by its strong, burnt, or robusta flavor. The Robusta bean contains very high caffeine levels making the plant naturally repellent to insects. The high levels of caffeine also make Robusta a lot more resilient than many Arabica species. Since this plant can tolerate extreme environmental conditions, farmers have more access to grow it in any climate and any number of altitudes. However, it’s not a very popular coffee commodity due to its rubbery or burnt flavor profile. The plant or bean is easier to grow and harvest than Arabica beans, regardless. For this reason, farmers tend to make better profits if they are able to grow and sell Robusta coffee.
Kona
Kona coffee beans are very distinct and specific to precise geographical regions. There are only specific spots where Kona is grown and marketed and unlike many other coffee names that tend to be used loosely, Kona cannot be used as a generic term for coffee beans. It’s known globally that the best Kona Coffee is cultivated and harvested on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island. This coffee bean also tends to be a bit pricier compared to the rest of the species, but coffee enthusiasts don’t seem to mind paying a premium just to taste the rare magical flavor of Hawaiian Kona coffee. In fact, the hype isn’t just about the place where it’s grown, there’s something about the special weather in Hualalai and Mauna Loa that makes these beans superior in taste.
Arabica
Arabica is the most common and most marketed type of coffee bean in many areas of the world. This comes from its flavor being more delicate, sweeter, and less acidic compared to all other coffee varieties. The bean is only farmed in areas that are highly elevated above sea level where there is a frequent pattern of rain. For example, the lush rainforest in Brazil makes it the top exporter of Arabica coffee in the world. However, growing Arabica beans is not really simple. The plants require constant attention to their environment and a lot of pruning in their early stages. Not to mention how this species is prone to disease which makes it a tough challenge to grow quantities of this coffee bean.
Liberica
Being considered a rare treat, Liberica coffee beans stand out with their somewhat woody flavor and their flowery or fruity aroma. Farmers were unable to grow sufficient quantities of Liberica to satisfy its global market, mainly because of the specific climate requirements of this rare plant. However, it’s still surprising to come across this species in your local grocery store. The Philippines were the first to discover, harvest, and sell these beans as a global alternative to Arabica coffee back in the nineteenth century. Now, we witness a tremendous downfall in the Liberica global market after no other country was able to match the mass production of the Philippines’ Liberica coffee.
Excelsa
Excelsa is the final type on our list here due to it being considered a member of the Liberica coffee bean family. Yet, this species is far more distinct than Liberica coffee. It represents a small percentage of globally produced coffee and is grown mainly in Southeast Asia. It holds a fruitier taste compared to Liberica beans and maintains a unique flavor profile, thanks to both dark roast and light roast attributes of the Excelsa bean. Overall, Excelsa is another rare coffee treat that only coffee enthusiasts would seek after.
Coffee comes in all types of flavors and aromas. It takes a real coffee lover to understand the difference between types and sources of origins. However, once you really get into the “coffee mentality,” you’ll realize there’s more to the beans than meets the eye. Once you learn about their roots and harvesting locations, it becomes easier to pick your favorite type whenever you’re at the supermarket.
