All You Need to Know About Different Types of Coffee Beans

Do you know that behind every delicious sip of coffee lies a diverse universe of coffee beans? From the sweet, bold Arabica to the earthy, powerful Robusta, each type has its unique personality and taste.

In this article, we’ll delve into the four most famous types of coffee beans, unveiling their secrets and helping you understand your favorite brew. So, grab your morning cup of joe and keep on scrolling!

4 Different Types of Coffee Beans

There are four main coffee bean types: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. The two types you’re most likely to see in coffee shops are Arabica and Robusta, while the other two aren’t as famous. Here’s a roundup of the four types and how they taste.

1.Arabica

Arabica coffee beans are the most commonly used type in the world, dominating about 60% of coffee production worldwide. They grow on high elevations in tropical climates where rainfall is frequent, like Brazil, Ethiopia, and Colombia.

Because of their source plant’s susceptibility to disease, Arabica beans are challenging to harvest in large quantities. As a result, they’re more expensive than Robusta coffee beans. It’s also worth noting that Arabica beans have the second-highest content of caffeine, only surpassed by Robusta beans.

  • How It Tastes Like

Arabica coffee beans have a sweet taste with undertones of chocolates and nuts. The distinctive absence of bitterness in their taste makes them a favorite for many consumers.

Most Arabica coffee drinkers prefer medium roast beans because the roasting mechanism brings out the beans’ boldness without affecting their sweetness.

If you haven’t tried medium roast beans before, try our Peruvian coffee beans before they run out!

  • Arabica Coffee Drinks

Arabica beans are used in nearly all coffee drinks, but they shine the most when used in espresso and Arabic coffee cups. They don’t need milk or sugar because of their already sweet flavor, and they add just the right amount of caffeine to your daily cup. 

2.Robusta

Robusta coffee beans come second in fame after Arabica, and they grow in Vietnam, Africa, and Indonesia. Contrary to the sweet Arabica plants, Robusta beans favor low elevations to grow. They’re primarily found in hot and humid tropical areas.

Since this coffee bean type grows in easily reachable places, it’s easier to harvest in large quantities than Arabica, making it more affordable.

  • How It Tastes Like

Robusta coffee tastes bitter with undertones of rubbery flavors. It isn’t known for its delicious taste but rather for its energizing effect.

Much like its counterpart, the best roast for Robusta coffee is medium roast because it brings out a chocolaty flavor and balances the natural bitterness of this variety.

  • Robusta Coffee Drinks

Robusta beans are most famously used for instant coffee products and milk coffees. The sweet flavor of milk cuts the bitterness of the coffee a bit, making it easier on the taste buds.

3.Liberica

Liberica coffee beans are much rarer than the previous two types, covering only about 2% of coffee drinks worldwide. They grow in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and they prefer low altitudes and sandy soils.

The scarcity of the Liberica coffee plant around the world made this particular coffee bean the most expensive out of the four types we’re discussing today. 

 

  • How It Tastes Like

At first, Liberica coffee beans taste like a bold fruity syrup with an undertone of floral aroma. But, after a while, an intense smoky flavor sneaks through, balancing out the sweetness in your mouth.

The best roast for Liberica coffee is light. It reserves the fruity flavor of the beans and keeps the burnt undertones at bay.

If you want to try light roast coffee, take a look at our Ethiopia coffee beans.

  • Liberica Coffee Drinks

Liberica beans are most famously used in pour-over coffee. This brewing method cuts down the beans’ smokiness a bit, which often leaves an unfavorable aftertaste.

4.Excelsa

Excelsa coffee grows in Vietnam, India, and the Philippines at high altitudes, and it requires vertical space to grow.

Excelsa coffee beans are nearly non-existent in coffee’s global market because they’re harvested and transported in very small quantities.

  • How It Tastes Like

Excelsa beans have the traditional bold and earthy coffee flavors but with a hint of tartness. When roasted, they exhibit berry-like undertones that complement their boldness.

Like Arabica and Robusta beans, the preferred roast for Excelsa coffee is medium roast. It brings out the fruity undertones of the beans without cutting their boldness too much.   

  • Excelsa Coffee Drinks

Excelsa coffee is best drunk from a French press, as it produces a rich flavor without subduing any of the sweet and earthy undertones.

Final Verdict: Which Coffee Bean Should You Choose?

Coffee beans come in four types, and each one serves a specific purpose. If you prioritize flavor over effect, you should go with Arabica beans, but beware that they’ll leave a dent in your wallet!

On the other hand, for more alertness and energy, you should try Robusta coffee. It’ll be gentle on your wallet, but we can’t promise the same for your tastebuds.

Finally, if you want to try something new and don’t mind going on a little search party, you should start looking for Liberica or Excelsa beans around your city.

To shop for different types of coffee roasts, check out our website!

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