The Four Major Types of Coffee Beans and Their Flavor Characteristics A Comparison of Caffeine Content in Coffee Beans

Exploring the Four Main Types of Coffee Beans

How often do you drink coffee? Have you ever stopped to think about the many different types of coffee beans or where they come from? If you're a coffee enthusiast looking to truly appreciate coffee, let's take a closer look at the information about the main types of coffee beans available on the market. The four primary types of coffee are Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica, each with completely different flavor profiles.

Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans are by far the most popular type of coffee bean, accounting for about 60% of the world's coffee production.

These delicious coffee beans originated in the Ethiopian highlands centuries ago and may possibly be the first type of coffee bean in history! The name Arabica coffee likely comes from its popularity in 7th century Arabia (modern-day Yemen). The disadvantage of Arabica coffee beans is that they are more difficult to cultivate. Therefore, Arabica coffee beans come with a higher price tag. All coffee beans grow in what's called the coffee bean belt - the region between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, distributed across 50 countries/regions worldwide. However, Arabica coffee beans require extra shade, water, and high altitudes to grow properly. These plants are more susceptible to plant diseases and must be grown at altitudes of at least 2,000 feet. They are also smaller plants, reaching sizes between 8 to 15 feet when fully grown.

Robusta Coffee Beans

The second most popular type of coffee bean is the Robusta coffee bean. This bean originated in sub-Saharan Africa and is now primarily grown in Africa and Indonesia. It is also particularly popular in Vietnam and often blended into coffee mixtures. This is a cheaper variety, making it a very economical choice for roasters.

Robusta beans are larger and rounder than other bean varieties. The plants are typically much larger than Arabica plants, ranging between 15 to 20 feet in height. Robusta beans are generally considered more hardy because they can grow in lower altitude regions and resist diseases. However, recent studies suggest they cannot handle heat as well as previously thought. Robusta coffee has a harsher, more bitter taste. It typically has a strong odor and a somewhat flat, almost burnt flavor. Robusta coffee beans also contain significantly more caffeine than Arabica coffee beans.

Liberica Coffee Beans

Native to Central and West Africa - particularly Liberia, hence the name - Liberica coffee is highly regarded for its spicy, floral aroma and bold, smoky flavor. This hardy species is often blended with other varieties to add body and complexity but rarely receives any credit. Before the late 1800s, it was virtually unknown in Western civilization. After a fungal disease ("coffee rust") destroyed most of the region's Arabica coffee crops, Liberica gained a foothold among coffee producers in Southeast Asia.

Among enthusiasts, Liberica coffee is controversial and polarizing for its wild inconsistency. Those who have tried this rare variety either love it or hate it. Some coffee drinkers enjoy the unusual, nutty, woody aroma and aftertaste. Others compare the taste to burning trash.

Excelsa Coffee Beans

The fourth main type of coffee bean is called Excelsa. Although it was once considered a separate coffee species, scientists recently reclassified it as a Liberica variant.

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