What Are the Three Main Coffee Bean Varieties - Arabica Coffee Beans with Rich Flavor, Aroma and High-Quality Acidity

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

FrontStreet Coffee - Coffee Bean Varieties Introduction

Arabica varieties account for about 70% of the world's coffee production. Most of what we commonly call "original beans" in daily life are Arabica varieties. Due to their charming aroma and rich flavor, Arabica coffee beans are considered synonymous with premium coffee. These coffee characteristics are closely related to their cultivation environment.

The highland regions of Ethiopia are the origin of Arabica varieties. Perhaps because the origin of Arabica varieties lies in the highland regions near the equator, they are neither heat-tolerant nor cold-tolerant, and can only be cultivated in places where the annual average temperature remains between 15-25°C.

Regions with stable temperatures throughout the year, without distinct seasons, are found only within the equatorial zone. However, the average temperature in this area is quite high, making direct ground cultivation difficult. Therefore, the principle that temperature decreases by 1°C for every 100m increase in altitude is utilized to cultivate coffee in highland regions. For example, in equatorial regions with an annual average temperature of 40°C, highland areas at 1500m altitude can maintain temperatures around 25°C. Only in such places can coffee grow.

Additionally, highland regions maintain an average temperature of about 25°C, but the temperature difference between day and night is significant, which has a close impact on the photosynthesis and respiration of plants.

During the day, with high temperatures and strong sunlight, photosynthesis is very active, forming large amounts of glucose and other beneficial compounds. Conversely, at night when temperatures drop sharply, respiration is relatively reduced. These cultivation conditions further emphasize the characteristics of Arabica varieties, making the aroma more intense and complex, producing high-quality acidity. This follows the same principle as how vegetables from high-altitude, cold regions taste crisper and sweeter than regular vegetables.

Arabica raw beans are flat in shape, with a curved center line and almost no gaps. Viewed from the side, they show winding curves and feel slightly moist and soft to the touch.

Robusta varieties were first discovered in Congo. Compared to Arabica varieties, they are more heat-tolerant and can be cultivated in low-altitude regions. In these plain areas, plant respiration is more active than photosynthesis. For plants in these plain regions, some of the sugars and other compounds produced through photosynthesis are consumed in the generation of coffee aroma and flavor, while most are consumed in the formation of the plant's root and branch tissues. These cultivation conditions give Robusta beans their inherent characteristics.

Compared to Arabica varieties, Robusta has a lighter aroma, with bitterness more prominent than acidity. When extracting freshly roasted Robusta coffee beans, they emit a fragrant aroma similar to corn tea, with strong body and thickness.

Robusta is commonly used for making canned coffee and instant coffee. The main reason is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to Arabica. Additionally, this is closely related to Robusta's strong bitterness and good texture. Robusta coffee itself has excellent texture. Although some aroma may be lost during processing, additional coffee with enhanced aroma can be added to compensate, which can also reflect the coffee's freshness. It is also widely used in espresso blends. Even with light roasting, Robusta varieties can extract rich-flavored coffee and quality oils.

Currently, consumers find it difficult to purchase good quality Robusta coffee beans because most Robusta beans are mass-produced into instant coffee. The Robusta beans circulating in the market are mostly low-quality, low-priced raw beans. Because of this, Robusta beans are often misunderstood as low-grade coffee beans.

Robusta beans are fuller than Arabica beans, with a vertically split center line. Viewed from the side, they are usually flat or raised in the middle. They feel harder than Arabica beans, resembling small stones.

Liberica varieties, also known as large-grained varieties. Originating from Liberia in Africa, they are evergreen trees. The fruits are large, oblong, with seed coats tightly attached to the kernel. When mature, they are vermilion in color. They have a strong flavor, moderate caffeine content, strong irritancy, and poor quality. The cultivation area is relatively small.

Knowledge Point: High-altitude growing regions are located at elevations between 4,000 to 6,000 feet. Cultivation requires temperatures between 15-25 degrees Celsius, with annual rainfall reaching 1500-2000 millimeters. Additionally, the timing of rainfall must align with the flowering cycle of coffee trees.

In Brief

FrontStreet Coffee is a dedicated coffee research center, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unrestrained sharing is solely to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee activities every month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six 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