Looking Into The Future What's In The Pipeline? Types Of Coffee Beans Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
Types of Coffee Beans
Behind every cup of coffee we enjoy, there are carefully graded bean. The beans are graded based on size, color and shape.
The AA grade is given to coffee beans that fulfill the criteria above, with the exception that they can't contain more than three defects (quakers). Typically, these are Kenya AA beans.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are also referred to as Coffea Arabicica and are the most coveted coffee bean in the world. The legend says that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed his herd swaying with more energy after eating the fruits of the coffee plant. This led him experiment with roasting seeds and brewing them, making the drink that we drink today.
There are a variety of coffee plants, however only two are used to create our favourite brews - arabica and robusta. The former is generally considered superior to the other, and this is reflected in the flavor of the final drink.
There are a variety of arabica cultivars. Each one has its own unique taste profile. Typica and Bourbon are two of the most popular arabica cultivars. The other arabica varieties were derived from these two varieties either by natural mutations or through deliberate crossbreeding. Scott Labs developed the SL28 cultivar in Kenya and is renowned for its distinct chocolaty flavor.
The flavor of an arabica variety is determined by the climate in the area it is grown and also how it is processed and roasted. The type of shade trees receive will have a major impact on the final product.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans, also known as coffee canephora, are the second most used type of coffee. They are the beans used for the majority of instant coffees and contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica Coffee Beans. They also are used to make a variety of espresso blends - especially for cappuccino, caffe latte and various other beverages made from coffee.
The Coffea Canephora plant originated in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it has since been grown all over the world. It can grow at lower altitudes and is able to withstand higher temperatures than the Arabica coffee plant, making it a better crop for farmers. Vietnam is currently the largest producer of robusta coffee, followed by Brazil and Indonesia.
The robusta plant is a good coffee however it's not a favorite among cupping enthusiasts because of its bitter taste and burnt-rubber aroma. Most large coffee companies use arabica beans in their top-quality products since it's considered to be a less premium coffee.
However the demand for premium coffee is increasing and small roasters are experimenting with robusta varieties that are high-end to profit from its superior qualities. Our Valhalla Java and Death With Coffee are two excellent robusta coffees that are mixed with arabica to create the perfect blend of flavour and strength. highest rated coffee beans are from Uganda which is a country in which robusta has been grown for a long time. You can learn more about them here.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans are scarce and rarely used throughout the world. They are less than 2% of the world's coffee consumption, and are often overlooked since they don't have the same amount of caffeine that Arabica and Robusta do. But, they have distinct flavor that a lot of coffee lovers find appealing.
Despite being extremely rare, Liberica coffee beans are still quite popular in some parts of Asia. They are particularly popular in Malaysia and Indonesia, which have significant Muslim population. In these countries the coffee industry has been very robust for a long time. Drinking a cup of coffee after a prayer is an integral part of their customs.
Liberica coffee's history dates back to 1890s, when a global epidemic caused by rust on the coffee leaf caused a massive loss of the arabica crop. This caused the coffee industry to seek out an alternative species that could thrive in tropical climates. They soon discovered the Liberica plant.
Liberica plants are resistant to diseases and pests, making them a perfect replacement for the depleted arabica crop. Liberica also has the capacity to grow in hot temperatures and lower altitudes. This allowed it to flourish in the climate of Southeast Asia. This is the reason why, today, most of the coffee grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia is made from Liberica beans.
Excelsa
Although it's not typical for coffee lovers to see excelsa beans in their cups, these unique beans are gaining recognition for their distinctive flavor. According to Komal Sable of South India Coffee Co. who is a fifth generation farmer of coffee, these beans have a similar teardrop shape, but are much smaller. But despite the family resemblance it's important to understand that excelsa is technically not a distinct species.
It's a little ambiguous as to how excelsa beans should be categorized and it's this confusion that's been the reason for the beans' insignificant presence in the modern world of coffee. Because of this, a lot of roasters, growers, and brewers aren't sure how to cultivate and utilize these beans properly.
Ultimately, it's up to the individual to decide if they like the taste of the coffee excelsa and it might take a amount of time to find a blend that fits your preferences. It's important to be open-minded and try every kind of coffee until you discover the one you enjoy. When you do this you'll be able to enjoy the full range of possibilities that these unique beans can provide. It's a journey that's well worth the journey.