Three Major Original Coffee Varieties: Characteristics, Origins, and Brief Introduction - Blue Mountain Coffee Belongs to Arabica

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Three Major Coffee Varieties

1. Arabica

Arabica coffee plants are typically not tall, with slightly slender green leaves and smaller oval-shaped fruits, also known as small-seeded coffee. They possess outstanding flavor, captivating aroma, and bright fruit acidity. The beans have uneven surfaces with an S-shaped central crease, accounting for approximately 65%-70% of the world's coffee trade. They are generally considered the only coffee variety that can be consumed directly on its own. The characteristics of high-altitude regions are particularly well-expressed. Although genetically disadvantaged (specific chromosome count, monoecious, primarily self-pollinating), resulting in weak vitality and poor resistance to pests and diseases, their high commercial value still makes them the most widely cultivated. The famous Blue Mountain coffee is a genetic mutation of Arabica.

2. Robusta

Strictly speaking, the variety originating from Coffea canephora - Robusta is actually just a nickname; its proper name should be Canephora, native to Congo in central Africa. Compared to Arabica, it has stronger vitality, better resistance to pests and diseases, and lower cultivation management costs. The beans are uniform in shape. Unfortunately, they fall short in flavor. The caffeine content is approximately twice that of Arabica beans of the same quantity. Therefore, they are not well-received by coffee consumers. Compared to Arabica, Robusta has less noticeable acidity but prominent bitterness. The flavor is relatively simple, but it is rich in oils. Consequently, Robusta is widely used in the production of instant coffee and canned coffee.

In fact, there are also premium quality Robusta beans. Nowadays, some traditional coffee roasters blend a higher proportion of Arabica with a small amount of Robusta for use as espresso beans. This slightly reduces the cost of the final blended coffee, increases yield, and provides richer oils, more distinctive bitterness, and excellent layered complexity.

3. Liberica

Liberica coffee trees are tall evergreen trees with upward-growing trunks and large fruits. They have strong vitality but relatively poor flavor, aroma, and resistance to pests and diseases. Most are traded in West Africa. With weak commercial value, they are now primarily grown for species preservation or scientific research, and are rarely discussed specifically.

The main producing countries include Indonesia, Vietnam, and West African countries centered around Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, and Angola. West Africa is the origin of Liberica coffee. It has strong adaptability to various environments, whether high or low temperature, humid or dry, with the exception of being susceptible to leaf rust disease. Since its flavor is inferior to Arabica, it is only traded domestically in some West African countries (Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, etc.) or cultivated for research purposes.

Key Point

"Arabica" is not synonymous with good coffee. Even among Arabica varieties, there are grade differences.

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research house that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation only to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three low-discount coffee events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

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