Bean There, Done That: Let’s Talk About Coffee Beans

The Coffee Beans: Ultimate Guide Beyond the Caffeine Buzz

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with all the type of coffee beans, stood in front of a shelf packed with coffee bags, just staring, thus confused? I mean, Arabica? Robusta? Liberica? What Are these all these coffee beans? The truth is, most of us feel the same way. don’t really know what goes into our coffee cups, other than the fact that it a necessity to wake up. In this article will try to break down it simple way at least we will try.

They are four main types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Each has its own taste and fans. So, grab you favorite mug filled with your favorite brew and let’s meet the family of our magical coffee bean!

Arabica: The Popular Coffee Bean.

Arabica is everywhere and the most used and probably what you have been drinking all along. Arabica beans make up about 60-70% of the world’s coffee. These beans are cultivated Ethiopia, Colombia, and Brazil and other part of the world where the high altitude and cooler temperatures allow the beans to grow slowly, enhancing their flavor.

• Grows where: it was first discovered in Ethiopia by a young man “goatherd” named Kaldi. It needs high altitudes, plenty of rainfall, and just the right amount of shade to grow.

• Taste Vibe: Arabica is known for its smooth, sweet flavor with hints of fruit, sugar, and a bit of acidity. It’s like a classy dinner party for your taste buds.
• Fact – Arabica plants are delicate, sensitive to their environment, and need more attention. So they need to be treated like the little coffee royalty they are.

Want a coffee that’s all about smoothness and flavor? Try Arabica’s. It’s what most of your fancy coffee shops serve, and probably what you’ve been drinking all this time.

Robusta: The Strong, Silent one

Robusta beans is packed of both in flavor and caffeine. If you like your coffee extra strong searching for a complex flavor profile, try Robusta. Robusta might not be as popular as Arabica, but it’s got some serious strength.

• Grows Where: Robusta can grow in lower altitudes and in hotter climates, making it easier to farm. You’ll usually find it in places like Africa and Southeast Asia.
• Taste Vibe – Robusta is bold and strong, with a much more bitter taste than Arabica. It’s got this earthy flavor, and it is bold of caffeine. It has twice the caffeine of Arabica, so if you’re in need of a serious wake-up call, Robusta’s your jam.
• Fact – Because Robusta is so sturdy, it’s also resistant to a lot of diseases that can wipe out other coffee crops. Basically, it’s the tuff bean of coffee beans.

You’ll often find Robusta in espresso blends because that extra caffeine really helps push things into gear. And if you’ve ever had instant coffee, yep, that’s usually Robusta as well.

Liberica: The Rare One

Liberica is the rarest of the coffee beans. You can’t find it everywhere. Liberica has a distinctive flavor profile that is mixed of a love and hate situation. Some people like it and other prefer to stick with my Arabica.

• Grows Where: Liberica beans are mostly grown in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. The beans themselves are larger and more irregular in shape than Arabica or Robusta.
• Taste Vibe: Liberica is known for its unique flavor, “smoky” or “woody.” It has an intense and robust flavor. It is not for everyone. But if you like different coffee taste, Liberica is your go-to.
• Fact: in the 19th century, a coffee plant disease wiped out almost all the Arabica crops in the world. Liberica  survived and The Philippines saved the day by shipping out their Liberica beans.

Liberica’s flavor is bold, almost fruity, but with a floral aroma that makes it stand out.

Excelsa: The exotic one

Excelsa,  is part of the Liberica family, but a little different. As Liberica, Excelsa beans are primarily grown in Southeast Asia, and while they are not as famous as Arabica or Robusta, they have got a some distinctive flavor profile.

• Grows Where: Like Liberica, Excelsa is found in Southeast Asia, and it only makes up a tiny percentage of the world’s coffee production. It’s rare, but it is worth looking into it if you’re a coffee adventurer.
• Taste Vibe: Excelsa has a wild flavor profile. It’s got the fruity and tart notes of a lighter roast but with the depth of a dark roast. It’s like the best of both worlds. Some people say it’s almost like drinking two coffees at once.
• Fact: Even though it’s part of the Liberica family, Excelsa is often treated like its own bean because it is just so different.

Excelsa adds a unique layer to coffee blends, so if you ever come across it, give it a try.