What are the 4 different type of coffee beans?
Good coffee starts with the coffee beans themselves. Many coffee drinkers are surprised to learn that there is more than one type of coffee bean. Most people aren’t thinking about the type of coffee bean they are purchasing when they shop for their next delicious batch.
Although there are some coffee beans that are more commonly used, each coffee bean genus has a distinctive flavour and aroma that is better suited for different brewing methods. There is no better way to upgrade your morning cup of coffee than by using the coffee bean best suited for you!
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans are the most prominent type of coffee beans on the market today and are used in 60% of all roasts. They are the oldest type of coffee beans on the planet and the first ones used to brew that delicious beverage we all love.
Coffea Arabica, often known as Arabica beans or Arabian coffee, is thought to be the first species used for the delicious cup of coffee we drink today. It was first discovered in Ethiopia but its deliciousness spread quickly. Today, Brazil is the largest producer of Arabica coffee beans in the world.
The Arabica coffee plant is well known for its temperamental nature and is by far the hardest to grow. This is partly due to its complex chemical structure and low caffeine content.
Caffeine is toxic to most insects and allows coffee plants to protect themselves against infestations. The Arabica coffee plant has a very low caffeine content, leaving it vulnerable to insects.
Arabica coffee’s complex chemical structure also makes it difficult to grow. This plant only survives in high altitudes and in climates where the weather is mild. Because of this, it is more expensive to harvest.
Arabica beans can be identified by their distinctive center crease along with their dark color and oval shape. They often have more complex aromas which contain fruity and floral notes. The Arabica coffee plant itself has a deep green color with willowy stems and ruffled foliage.
Part of Arabica coffee’s popularity is due to its complex chemical structure, which allows it a more varied taste in comparison to other coffee plants. The arabica coffee bean is twice as sweet and contains light fragrances such as citrus and floral notes.
Arabica coffee beans have a delicate flavour profile that provides a unique taste. Depending on where the coffee beans are grown, they often contain light floral, citrus or berry notes. Arabica beans that are grown in more volcanic soil often have notes of chocolate, nut and caramel.
The drip brewing method is the perfect match for Arabica coffee beans. Drip coffee can gently tease out the delicate flavour profile of the Arabica coffee bean without overwhelming your taste buds with its natural bitterness.
Originated in Ethiopia
Mainly produced by Brazil
Dark in colour with an oval shape and a center crease
Only grows in high altitude climate with little weather
More expensive
Less caffeinated
Flavour Profile: chocolate, berry, citrus, caramel, nutty, some floral notes
Best Brewing Method: Drip coffee
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans are the second most famous coffee bean and are often coveted for their high caffeine content. Although they are not nearly as sweet tasting as Arabica coffee beans, Robusta coffee beans bring their own value to the table.
Robusta coffee beans come from the Coffea canephora plant. Their name comes from their robust and hardy nature. Robusta coffee beans originate from Africa and can be grown in most climates.
True to its name, the Robusta coffee plant can grow easily without much help. This makes it much less expensive to produce than Arabica coffee, which can only be grown in high altitudes under certain weather conditions.
Part of Robusta coffee’s hardy nature comes from its simplistic chemical structure and high caffeine content. The high concentration of caffeine wards away most insects, while its simple chemical structure allows the leaves and berries to endure harsh weather.
Coffea Canephora, also known as Robusta coffee, can be identified by its pale colour and round body. Robusta coffee beans have a much less distinctive center crease. The plant itself can grow up to 10 feet tall and grows many woody evergreen branches.
Robusta coffee beans have a simpler chemical structure than Arabica beans. This allows them to survive in extreme weather conditions, making Robusta coffee beans less expensive to grow.
Although they contain a higher caffeine concentration, Robusta beans are less acidic. This means they can get stale more easily. Robusta coffee beans also have less sugar and higher amounts of chlorogenic acid, which is not only a natural bug repellant but is an antioxidant.
The Robusta bean’s simplistic chemical structure also affects its flavour profile. Unlike Arabica bean’s complex structure, Robusta beans do not contain delicate flavours. Coffee made from Robusta coffee beans can be described as woody or rubbery.
Although it is a bit lacking in taste, Robusta beans more than make up for this with their caffeine content. Robusta coffee beans contain twice the caffeine of Arabica plants, and their deep, bitter taste makes them the perfect coffee beans for espresso roasts.
Originated in Africa
Grown around the world
Pale and circular in appearance
Robust and hardy plant
Less expensive
High caffeine content
Flavour Profile: woody, rubbery, smokey
Best Brewing Method: Espresso
Liberica
There is no coffee bean with a more intense, smokey flavour than Liberica coffee beans. Although they are much less popular than Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, their unique flavour profile makes them a delicious addition to any morning brew.
Liberica coffee beans originated from Liberia in West Africa. Most coffee lovers agree that Liberica coffee tastes unlike any other coffee.
A majority of Liberica coffee beans are produced in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Due to its unconventional flavour profile, Liberica coffee beans are grown in small batches. These small batches tend to make Liberica coffee beans the most expensive.
The Liberica coffee plant is known for its large cherries. Unlike the small, round cherries of the Arabica plant, the berries of the Liberica plant are irregularly-shaped and distinctive. The coffee beans themselves are both rounder and smaller in comparison to other coffee beans.
This plant is much hardier than Arabica coffee beans and can be grown easily in most climates. Liberica coffee beans can grow in low altitudes and are resistant to many pests.
The Liberica plant’s coffee beans contain a chemical structure that is similar to Arabica beans in their complexity. Unlike the Arabica bean however, Liberica coffee has an added dimension to it. This is partly due to the unique flavour and aroma that distinguishes Liberica coffee from other coffee beans.
Coffee brewed from the Liberica coffee plant is said to have a floral and fruity aroma, much like Arabica coffee. However, when tasted, this delicate aroma turns into a full-bodied and woody flavor that more resembles Robusta coffee beans. Liberica coffee’s strong, smokey aroma has given it the nickname “liquid tobacco”.
Liberica coffee beans are best brewed with a coarse grind and easily turn bitter. Because of these characteristics, French presses and cold brews are the best ways to turn this unique coffee bean into a delicious cup of coffee.
Originated in Liberia
Grown in most climates, especially Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia
Large, round beans
Complex chemical structure, similar to Arabica coffee beans
Easy to grow due to its weather resistance
Flavour Profile: floral and fruity with a full-bodied, woody taste similar to tobacco
Best Brewing Method: French Press and Cold Brew
Excelsa
Despite its insignificant presence across the global coffee market, Excelsa’s lower optimum altitude may be an indirect solution for farmers who are affected by climate change.
Excelsa is currently cultivated in southeast Asia (including Vietnam and the Philippines) and India. However, it was actually first discovered in 1903 in Central Africa, where it was also known as Coffea dewevrei or dewevreié.
In theory, cultivating Excelsa could prevent them from continually moving to higher altitudes to achieve target growing temperatures. However, without any kind of commodity market and the current, minuscule levels of demand, a full switch is highly unlikely and an unrealistic proposition.
Excelsa coffee grows best at altitudes of between 1,000 and 1,300 m.a.s.l., and unlike Arabica and Robusta, it is an arboreal (tree-like) plant, rather than a shrub. This means it requires vertical space to grow, rather than growing into the area around it on the ground. And while it is productive and resilient, Excelsa is difficult to manage and requires extensive care.
Excelsa beans are also lower in caffeine than both Robusta and Arabica.
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Which Coffee Bean is the best?
When it comes to choosing the best coffee bean, the deciding factor is your personal preference. As can be seen above, all have their benefits and their drawbacks.
Arabica coffee beans are the perfect match for people who love to tease out the delicate and complex flavours of coffee with a drip brewing method.
Robusta coffee beans pair beautifully with lovers of espresso who need that extra caffeination to get through the day!
People looking for a unique flavour to add to their French Press or cold brew coffees are sure to love Liberica coffee beans.
Which coffee bean and brewing style is your favourite?