What Are the Different Types of Coffee Beans and Are Premium Arabica Coffee Beans Expensive?

FrontStreet Coffee: Introduction to the Three Major Coffee Bean Varieties

Coffee trees will only thrive in tropical or subtropical climates. Today there are three main native coffee species: Arabica, Robusta and Liberica.

Arabica

Arabica originated in Ethiopia and now accounts for roughly 70% of world production. It is a high-altitude crop in tropical and subtropical regions, which makes it intolerant of heat, drought, excessive humidity and frost. It has a long growing cycle, hard beans and small seeds.

Robusta

Robusta was discovered in the Congo, in Africa, and is suited to low-altitude growing. It resists disease, tolerates high temperatures and flourishes in rainy, humid conditions. It also carries a distinctive set of "three highs": high bitterness, high caffeine and high aroma. Its aroma does have a slightly musty note, though deep roasting brings out a special burnt fragrance.

Most coffee businesses rely on Robusta, which is why iced coffee, with its heavy bitterness, is so often mixed with sugar and creamer. The caffeine cannot be removed, and it may be linked to a high level of chlorogenic acid. As a result, many people feel palpitations, discomfort or trouble sleeping after drinking it.

Liberica

Liberica is a tree species from Liberia in West Africa, able to withstand high and low temperatures, humidity and drought alike. It reproduces strongly but its flavor quality is poor. Another drawback is its vulnerability to leaf rust disease, which makes it hard to survive in the market. It is generally used for research rather than large-scale cultivation, and its beans can be roasted darker to mask their flavor defects.

The Excellence of Arabica

The outstanding flavor and aroma of Arabica make it the only one of these native species that can be enjoyed on its own, as a single origin. Jamaican Blue Mountain, Indonesian Mandheling, Yirgacheffe and Brazilian coffees are all single-origin coffees of this kind. Arabica is, however, weak against drought, frost and pests - above all against coffee's greatest enemy, leaf rust disease. That is why producing countries keep working to improve their varieties.

The cultivation requirements for Arabica are extremely strict. First, it needs high-altitude sites above 600 to 2000 meters. Second, it needs fertile soil, ample humidity, annual rainfall of no less than 1500ml and suitable growing temperatures. On top of that, the Arabica tree has poor resistance to pests and disease and is easily damaged. The annual yield per unit area is therefore lower than that of other coffee species. This is exactly why high-quality Arabica is never cheap.

Knowledge Extension

Arabica beans are oval fruits that usually hold two slightly flattened seeds. The beans are small and round, with an oval face and a narrow, curved S-shaped crack down the middle. The back of the bean is relatively flat.

Conclusion

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a research center dedicated to coffee, and we are happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unreserved sharing exists for one reason - to help more friends fall in love with coffee. We also hold three low-price coffee events every month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants more people to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price. That has been our principle for the past 6 years.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If you want to explore just how good Arabica can be, start with the Ethiopian origins that sit at the heart of its story. FrontStreet Washed Yirgacheffe is the classic entry point, offering clear jasmine florals and a bright citrus acidity, with a light, elegant body and a tea-like finish that drinks like clean, refreshing lemon tea.

For something more precise in origin, try FrontStreet Gedingding Cooperative Coffee. Grown around the Worka area at the southeastern edge of Yirgacheffe, it comes from a cooperative that split off in 2012 with roughly 300 farmer members. Because the fruit is stripped of its pulp before drying, the coffee's own aromatics come through with unusual clarity, showing citrus and lemon tones alongside an elegant white floral note and an overall bright, delicate profile.

If you prefer a fuller, sweeter cup, FrontStreet Natural Huakui Coffee is a fine contrast. Grown in the Hambella area of Guji, Sidamo, on a 200-hectare farm using traditional natural processing, the cherries are dried on raised beds for 21 days. After a medium-light roast it reveals a light fermented-wine aroma, florals, citrus and mango, with honey sweetness, a cocoa note and a hint of spice, plus a thick body and a long finish.