For many, coffee is just a beverage that helps them get through the day. But it’s not the only reason why so many people around the world love coffee. In fact, there’s much more to coffee than meets the eye.
For instance, did you know that there are several types of coffee beans? Each of them has its unique flavor, origin, and properties. We distinguish four primary beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelso. And these are the ones we will focus on below.
If you want to make a more aware purchase when raiding wholesale coffee sales or simply wish to learn more about coffee, read on.
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Why You Should Learn More About Coffee Beans
Each type of coffee bean has its own distinct taste and flavor. As such, knowing about these types will allow you to experiment with different kinds of coffee without much difficulty. Moreover, you will be able to determine which one of them you like best by trying out several different ones.
Here are some additional explanations why you should learn more about the bean that has become so popular in recent decades:
- If you take coffee beans seriously, you will be able to buy better coffee beans at lower prices. It’s essential to understand why there are so many types of them to make educated choices.
- Coffee beans can help you discover your favorite coffee. Different types of coffee beans offer a variety of flavors and tastes. Knowing the differences between them allows you to make the right choice for yourself.
- Coffee beans are an excellent gift to give people who love coffee. Do you wish to surprise a fellow coffee lover with some fresh beans? If yes, understanding the differences between these types of coffee beans will allow you to pick the perfect one as a present.
The Different Types of Coffee Beans
There are three main categories of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. And then Excelso comes in as a fourth type that is harder to categorize precisely.
Arabica
Arabica is the most popular variety of coffee beans in the world. It’s also the most expensive and highly sought-after kind. Arabica beans are usually grown at higher altitudes, which contributes to their delicious taste. The best Arabica beans come from countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Honduras.
It is widely believed that the coffee beans harvested from lower altitudes are not as good, no matter what kind they are. While this is a bit of an exaggeration, it isn’t far from the truth. Usually, lower altitude coffee just doesn’t taste as good as the high-altitude variety.
In fact, coffee beans grown at high altitudes have a much better flavor and aroma than those grown at lower altitudes. Additionally, they have higher caffeine content.
Robusta
Robusta is the second most popular type of coffee bean in the world. This variety was once considered useless because of its bitter taste. Nevertheless, after the farmers discovered that Robusta could be used to make instant coffee, it steadily grew in popularity. Today, it’s the most common ingredient for instant coffee.
Robusta beans are grown in Africa and Asia. Moreover, they are usually cultivated at lower altitudes than Arabica beans. This fact contributes to their less intense flavor and taste. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative for Arabica coffee beans, Robusta is a perfect choice for you.
Liberica
Liberica is not as common as Robusta or Arabica, but it’s still available in some regions. This kind is similar to Robusta in terms of its overall quality and properties.
Nonetheless, Liberica has several unique features that set it apart from Robusta. For example, Liberica has a much deeper flavor and aroma. Additionally, it creates a coffee with a very unique, smoky taste.
Excelso
Excelso is a type of coffee bean that can’t be clearly categorized into any of the three main categories – Arabica, Robusta, or Liberica. It is a high-grade type of coffee bean that grows in Southeast Asia.
Excelso beans are similar to Arabica in terms of their overall quality and taste. They are also great for making espresso and milk-based beverages. Their unique taste makes them one of the most sought-after beans in the world.
The Bottom Line
Coffee beans are classified into four categories: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelso. Each type of coffee bean has its distinct taste, flavor, and quality. Knowing about these types will allow you to make an educated choice when buying coffee beans and make great coffee at home.
If you are a coffee enthusiast, you should definitely take a closer look at the beans with which the coffee you buy is produced. This way, you can ensure that every cup you drink will be perfect. All you have to do is find out which of the coffee beans we presented is the best fit for you and enjoy. Good luck!
