Coffee Bean Varieties and Differences: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to the Three Main Coffee Species

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Three Major Coffee Varieties

1. Arabica Species

Arabica beans - world-famous Blue Mountain coffee, Mocha coffee, and others are almost all of the Arabica species.

Appearance: The beans are relatively small, with an oval front shape. The center crack is narrow and curved, while the back of the bean has a relatively flat arc. They are uniform in size, with consistent color and luster.

Origin: Arabica species coffee is mostly produced in South American countries like Brazil and Colombia, Central American nations, Caribbean countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, and Ethiopia. Generally, familiar coffee beans such as Brazil Santos, Sumatra Mandheling, Yemen Mocha, and Jamaica Blue Mountain are all high-quality coffee beans belonging to the Arabica species.

Because Arabica species coffee beans have excellent aroma, balanced flavor, and lower caffeine content - only about half of the Robusta species - they account for approximately 70% of total coffee cultivation, with relatively higher prices.

2. Robusta Species

Robusta species accounts for about 20%-30% of world production.

Appearance: The beans are relatively large, with a front that tends toward a round shape and a convex back. The crack is straight.

Origin: Robusta coffee trees originated in central and western Africa and Madagascar Island in eastern Africa, as well as Indonesia in Asia.

However, its finished product taste is more bitter and astringent compared to Arabica species, with higher caffeine content and significantly inferior quality. Therefore, it is mostly used for making instant coffee. Since the main production areas are in Africa, most Africans drink Robusta coffee.

3. Liberica Species

Liberica species, also known as the large-seeded species, originates from Liberia in Africa and a few other countries like Malaysia.

Its cultivation history is slightly shorter than the other two coffee tree species. Liberica coffee trees are suitable for planting in lowlands. Their trunks are tall and strong, reaching 18 meters in height, with large and tough leaves. The fruits and coffee beans are also large. Its seed coat adheres closely to the kernel, turning vermilion when ripe.

It has a strong flavor, moderate caffeine content, high irritancy, and poor quality. Due to its relatively unique taste, low demand, and small cultivation area, production is also low, accounting for less than 5% of world coffee production.

Knowledge Point:

The world's coffee-producing regions are mainly distributed in the areas north and south of the equator, also known as the "Coffee Belt."

In Brief:

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