Introduction to the Three Major Types of Coffee Beans: What Are the Main Components and Their Functions?

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FrontStreet Coffee: Introduction to the Three Major Types and Components of Coffee

The coffee we drink daily is mainly Arabica or Robusta. Liberica is rarely found in the market due to its low production. Instant coffee is primarily made from Robusta, while high-quality coffee is Arabica. The coffee we drink daily is typically a blend of these two coffee beans. Additionally, Arabica has many subspecies, each with distinct flavor characteristics. For example, Pacamara and Geisha, which have performed exceptionally well in the Cup of Excellence (COE) in recent years, are both considered varieties of Arabica.

The coffee varieties available on the market are mainly Arabica or Robusta. Each variety has its unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

Arabica

The main producing countries are Latin American nations. The flavor is balanced and mellow, with low caffeine content, typically only 1-1.3%. Different estates can create diverse flavor profiles under various growing conditions, making this variety the source of all specialty coffee. However, it has strict growing requirements, such as needing high-altitude environments with significant temperature differences, sufficient water, and long maturation periods. Its yield is lower than other varieties and it's susceptible to leaf rust disease. Most subspecies cannot tolerate direct sunlight, resulting in high production costs.

Arabica has two ancient native varieties: Typica and Bourbon.

Typica is the original coffee variety, originating from Ethiopia. All Arabica varieties are derived from Typica.

Typica's terminal leaves are bronze-colored, and the beans are mostly oval or slender with pointed ends. Its flavor is elegant, but unfortunately, it has poor physical constitution and disease resistance, resulting in limited production. Jamaica Blue Mountain, Sumatra Mandheling, and Hawaiian Kona all originate from this coffee variety.

Robusta

Robusta was discovered in Congo in 1898, with the botanical name Caffea Canephora. We commonly refer to it as robusta coffee. It has an ordinary flavor and higher caffeine content. However, because it's hardy and easy to grow, its price is relatively low. It's often used in coffee blends to balance costs. Some regions specialize in producing Robusta due to geographical and climatic reasons, such as Vietnam, where the traditional Vietnamese coffee is primarily made from Robusta beans.

Knowledge Extension

Most people believe that Bourbon is a natural mutation that occurred after Typica was transplanted to Yemen. The beans are rounder in shape. In 1715, France transplanted this variety from Yemen to Bourbon Island on the east coast of Africa, hence its name.

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation simply because we want more friends to fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three discounted coffee events each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to provide the best coffee at the lowest prices to more friends. This has been our mission for the past six years!

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