An Introduction to Coffee Bean Varieties: Besides Arabica, What Other Coffee Beans Can Compare?

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Coffee Bean Varieties

Coffee Arabica

Coffee Arabica, also known as the small-grained variety. Originating from the Abyssinian plateau (now the Ethiopian plateau) in Ethiopia, it was initially used mainly for medicinal purposes. In the 13th century, the habit of roasting for drinking was developed, and in the 16th century, it was introduced to Europe through the Arab world, further becoming one of the beverages enjoyed by people worldwide. (Before the 15th century, coffee was long monopolized by Arabs, thus it was called "Arab coffee" by Europeans.)

Among all coffee beans worldwide, Arabica accounts for approximately 65%-80%. Its excellent flavor and aroma make it the only native variety that can be consumed directly and individually. However, it has low resistance to drought, frost, pests, and diseases, especially to coffee's greatest enemy—leaf rust disease. Therefore, coffee-producing countries are committed to improving varieties.

Arabica is an evergreen small shrub with oval, dark green leaves. The fruits are also oval, with smaller kernels, thick peels, and sweet flesh. The product is mellow and aromatic, generally containing two slightly flattened beans. The beans are small and rounded, with an oval front surface, a narrow and curved S-shaped crack in the middle, and a relatively flat circular back. The caffeine content is about 1%-1.7%, hence it is also called "mild coffee." It is the main cultivated variety worldwide, with planting area and production accounting for more than 80% and 90% of the world's total coffee area and production, respectively.

Main characteristics: Arabica coffee beans are also known as mountain beans. Their main characteristics are: strong aromatic smell; not easy to have bitter taste; moderate coffee oil content; higher acidity; caffeine content is 30%-40% of Robusta.

Coffee Robusta Linden

Coffee Robusta Linden, also known as the medium-grained variety. It is a leaf rust-resistant variety discovered in the Congo, Africa, with stronger disease resistance than Arabica. In the general coffee market, many people like to compare Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, which is incorrect. In fact, Robusta was originally a mutant variety of the Congo species (scientific name: Coffee Canephora), and what should be compared with Arabica is the Congo species. However, to this day, Robusta is commonly used by ordinary people who are unaware that it is actually a variant of the Congo species.

Coffee liberica

Coffee liberica, also known as the large-grained variety. Native to Liberia, Africa, it is an evergreen tree. The fruits are large, oblong, with seed coats tightly attached to the kernels. When mature, they are vermilion in color. The brewed flavor is strong, with moderate caffeine content, strong irritancy, and poor quality. The cultivation area is relatively small, distributed in Liberia, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia.

Knowledge Points

High-altitude growing areas are at elevations between 4000 to 6000 feet. The growing temperature needs to be between 15-25 degrees Celsius, with annual rainfall reaching 1500-2000 mm. Additionally, the rainfall timing must align with the flowering cycle of coffee trees.

Conclusion

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research hall, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Moreover, we have three low-discount coffee activities every month. This is because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price, which has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for 6 years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473