Types of Coffee Bean Varieties and Introduction to Yirgacheffe Washed FTO Coffee

Types of Coffee Beans - Yirgacheffe Washed FTO Coffee Sharing

Broadly speaking, there are three kinds of coffee beans in the world, though the two we encounter most often are Arabica and Robusta.

The Three Main Coffee Varieties

The three main native varieties are Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Arabica leads production, accounting for roughly 60-70% of the world's total coffee output, with Bourbon and Typica among its well-known sub-varieties. Robusta contributes about 30-40% of global production. Liberica trails at just 3% of the total and is cultivated mostly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Arabica

Also known as small-grained coffee, Arabica originated in Ethiopia. Its trees mostly grow at altitudes of 1000-2000 meters, are relatively cold-tolerant, and do best at growing temperatures of 15-24°C. They demand high humidity -- annual rainfall of no less than 1500ml -- as well as skilled cultivation. The Arabica tree is a large shrub with oval, dark-green leaves; the fruit is likewise oval and typically holds two slightly flattened beans. The face of the bean is a long oval with a narrow, curved crack down the middle that forms an S-shape, while the back is comparatively flat and arced. Caffeine content runs about 0.8%-1.5%.

Arabica is a cornerstone of the commercial coffee trade. Trees begin bearing within three years, and the beans offer excellent aroma and acidity. The main producing regions are South America (excluding parts of Argentina and Brazil), Central America, Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, and other countries -- mainly East African ones), and Asia (parts of Indonesia, Yemen, India, and Papua New Guinea).

Robusta

Also known as medium-grained coffee, Robusta originated in the Congo in Africa. Its trees are planted mostly in lowlands at 200-800 meters, favor warm climates of 24-29°C, and ask far less of the rainfall. But the variety depends on insects or wind for pollination, so it takes 9-11 months from pollination to fruit -- considerably longer than Arabica. Caffeine content is about 3.2%, far above Arabica's.

Robusta (Latin name Coffee Robusta Linden) is one of the world's most important coffee species. Discovered in the Congo, it resists leaf rust and is hardier against disease than Arabica. Robusta beans are used mainly in espresso blends, where they add richness and produce thick crema. Though Robusta's flavor cannot match Arabica's, it has real value of its own: it is the primary raw material for instant coffee, and some espresso blends also include a certain proportion of it.

The main Robusta-producing countries are Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brazil.

Liberica

Also known as large-grained coffee, Liberica is extraordinarily vigorous, but both its flavor and its leaf-rust resistance are weak. Plantings make up less than 1% of the market, and the variety has essentially withdrawn from commerce, surviving mainly in scientific research.

New Product: Yirgacheffe Washed FTO

• Producer: DAMA COOP
• Origin: Gedeo, SNNPR, Ethiopia
• Processing: Washed, sun-dried
• Variety: Local heirloom
• Altitude: 1410-2000m
• Certification: Organic, Fair Trade

Introduction

This lot comes from the Dama Cooperative, which has over 1900 members and belongs to the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU). The green coffee carries both Organic and Fair Trade certifications.

In the cup: classic Yirgacheffe citrus, floral aroma, high sweetness, delicate and soft acidity, complex layered flavor, rounded body, and a clean finish.

Knowledge Expansion

Like Robusta, Liberica is highly pest-resistant and suited to hot, humid environments, yet it has never been widely cultivated and is mostly planted in southern Africa.

In Summary

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center that loves sharing what it knows. We share without reservation simply to help more people fall in love with coffee -- a mission we have kept for the past 6 years, supported by three low-priced coffee events each month so more friends can drink the best coffee at the lowest price.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If this tour of the three great species leaves you curious, taste what top-grade Arabica can do with FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe Washed FTO. Sourced from the 1900-member Dama Cooperative and dual-certified Organic and Fair Trade, this washed, sun-dried heirloom lot from Gedeo (1410-2000m) pours out classic Yirgacheffe character: white jasmine florals, bright citrus and lemon acidity, high sweetness, and a clean, tea-like finish. It suits ethical-minded buyers and newcomers alike -- anyone who wants an elegant, floral, fruit-forward cup without heaviness or bitterness. For pour-over, use a V60 dripper with a medium-fine grind at 90-91°C water and a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, blooming first so the florals open up fully.