Different Types of Coffee Beans

A ritual which binds the family together is coffee. Soothing pleasures that make mornings beautiful and prepare people for the upcoming day. The coffee evenings turn the house into a happy place with good talks and discussions. But for everything, there is a starting point. Here the variety of coffee beans plays a crucial role in building a good coffee. Go through the post to get exciting insights about different types of coffee beans, their origin and a way to select them to suit your taste. 

Different Types of Coffee Beans

The main varieties of coffee can be classified into 4 types. They are Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa. Every bean has specialized features which make it distinct in its taste and aroma.

Coffee beans come in four main varieties: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Every type has distinct qualities that affect the flavour, aroma, and overall coffee experience.

1. Arabica, or Arabic coffee

Arabica beans account for sixty to seventy per cent of coffee beans used to brew coffee. It is one of the most used and consumed varieties of coffee beans. The beans mostly grow in Latin America, Africa and some regions of Asia at high altitudes in places like  Nilgiri hills, and Coorg in India.

Features:

• Flavour: This type of coffee bean has a high flavour profile. Arabica coffee is prized for its rich scent and velvety texture, it typically contains 80–120 mg of caffeine per cup. Their acid quotient is high and naturally holds a sweet flavour.

• Aroma: This coffee variety has a nuanced fragrance that is fruity or flowery. It is deep and invigorating. 

• Taste-wise the bitterness is relatively low when compared to the Robusta variety of coffee bean. This is due to the lesser caffeine content. 

Recommended For: 

1. For people who choose a subtle taste over a strong punch, the Arabica coffee variety is the best pick for them.
2. For people who prefer a good fragrance over a strong taste, the Arabica coffee is for them.

2. Coffee Canephora, or Robusta

Following Arabica, the next most sought-after type of coffee bean is the Robusta variety. The farming regions include Africa, Southeast Asia, and particularly Vietnam. It is the largest producer of this variety of coffee. Robusta coffee due to its higher caffeine content is used in espresso blends, which adds strength and body. They contribute to a rich crema and bring earthy, nutty flavors that complement Arabica's smoothness. Robusta also enhances cost efficiency and ensures consistent espresso quality, making it a valuable component 

Features:

• Flavour:  It contains a strong bitter flavour. The taste is accompanied by an earthy gritty smell.
• Aroma:  The fragrance is less subdued than the arabica coffee variety.
• Robusta beans are more potent. A cup contains about 200 to 400 milligrams of caffeine. 
• A stronger cup of coffee is a result of their increased bitterness.

Best For: 

1. Those who enjoy espresso because of how well the robust flavour holds up in blended drinks.
2. Those who like their coffee are strong and bold, with a stronger caffeine hit.

3. Liberica, or Liberica coffee

Liberica variety of coffee is less grown and farmed in places of Southeast Asia and West Africa. It is popular for its eccentric and unusual flavour profile.

Features:

• Taste: The flavours of Liberia beans range widely, from fruity and fragrant to smokey and woody. They frequently taste robust and leave an aftertaste.
• Aroma: They are characterised by a strong, complex aroma resonating with a fruity or floral smell with a tinge of spice. 
• Caffeine Content: The caffeine content of this type of coffee is in the middle of Arabica and Robusta. Liberica contains more caffeine than Arabica but less than that of Robusta. 

Ideal For:

1.  Curiosity-seeking coffee aficionados who like to try out new and unusual flavours.
2. those who prefer their coffee strong and aromatic.

4. Excelsa (Excelsa coffee)

Excelsa is mainly grown in Southeast Asia and is now categorised as a Liberica variety. Although it makes up a very small portion of the global coffee crop, its distinct flavour makes it highly valued.

Features:

• Taste: Excelsa beans have a slightly dark roast flavour that is tangy and delicious. When combined with other varieties of coffee, they frequently add depth and complexity.
• Aroma: They give coffee blends a unique flavour with their acidic and fruity aroma.
• Moderate Caffeine Content: This content is comparable to Arabica beans.

Ideal For: 

1. Coffee lovers who value nuanced, multifaceted flavours.
2. blending to add richness and depth to other varieties of coffee.

Selecting the Ideal Coffee Beans for Your Taste

Since there are different varieties of coffee beans, proper selection is crucial while customizing your coffee to have a perfect personalized coffee experience. Follow the tips below to select your bean judiciously. 

Taste Profile

It's important to know what flavour profile you desire. Which would you rather have—a strong, bitter cup or something sweet and fruity? Here is a brief how-to:

Sweet and Fruity: Look for Arabica beans, especially those with bright, fruity aromas from places like Ethiopia or Colombia.

Bold and Bitter: For a deeper, more potent flavour, go for Robusta beans or blends that contain Robusta.

Complex and Unique: If you're searching for something new with a deep, nuanced flavour, try Excelsa or Liberica beans.

Roast Level

The time and level of roast determines the taste of coffee.

• Light Roast: The inherent flavours are maintained. It tastes typically acidic and fruity.
• Medium Roast: A tinge of caramel and chocolate relish is obtained while managing the acidity. 
• Dark Roast: It provides a smokey, nutty flavour and is less acidic.

Freshness

The greatest coffee flavour comes from freshly roasted beans. For this:

1. Check out the roast date always. Use it as soon as possible after roasting to retain the freshness and taste. 
2. Airtight and opaque containers provide a longer shelf life with the grind and prevent the escape of aroma.

Origin

The place of germination and nurturing impacts the potent and savour of the beans irrespective of the variety. The country of production, its topography, climatic conditions and other physical factors determine the nature of the bean. 

• The fruity and floral tastes are found in Ethiopian coffee. 
• Colombian coffee is characterised by mild, nutty, and chocolate flavours that are well-balanced.
• Brazilian coffee often has a mild chocolaty smack, a nutty flavour and a bit of acid nature too.
• Vietnamese Coffee contains high strength and boldness, Vietnamese iced coffee commonly uses this coffee type of coffee besan

Original vs. Blended

Single-Origin: Beans produced from a single farm or locality which associate the Indigenous flavours which are unique to the geographical area are called single-origin beans or coffee. Such an experience is good for coffee aficionados who tend to explore the local delicacies.

Blends: An appropriate concoction of different types of coffee beans from vibrant locations intended to provide an optimal coffee experience. Such a blend contains both uniform flavour and fragrance. A few Indian roasters provide special blends to cater to the market for high-caffeine and aromatic coffee. These mixes could have Arabica and Robusta beans at the required proportion for a well-rounded but strong cup.

Method of Brewing

The type of coffee beans you should select is also influenced by the way you prepare it:

• Espresso: Blends well with medium-to-dark roasts and robust-flavored beans, such as Robust espresso is brewed with a concentrated method, each serving contains a significant amount of caffeine (around 60 grams per shot). 
• Pour-Over: Perfect for bringing out the subtle flavours of Arabica beans roasted from light to medium.
• French Press: Ideal for more robust grinds and full-bodied, flavorful beans, including dark roast Arabica or blends.
• Cold Brew: For a smooth, low-acidity coffee, medium to dark roasts work best.

Synopsis

In the world of different types of coffee beans, there is a specific bean or a blend which can be prepared to cater to the taste of every individual. Selection of beans after procuring the best knowledge about the origin, flavour profile and other characteristics helps you choose the best option from the wide variety. Trying out different varieties of beans like Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa provides a good personalised experience of exploring various savour and aromatic coffee types. Hence you could choose an ideal cup with essential flavours which is both taste and health-wise a complete option.  

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