All coffee beans come from the Coffea coffee plant. The plant produces fruit-like coffee cherries which each contain two coffee beans. The Coffea genus branches into different varietals that are part of the same species but differ in characteristics such as the colour of the coffee cherry, height, density and how resistant they are to plagues.
Most coffee beans are grown and produced inside the “coffee bean belt”. The belt is located between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (23.5 degrees north and south of the equator), includes 70 countries, and has the ideal combination of tropical climates and altitudes for coffee plants to grow.
Of the four main types of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta are the most common, followed by Liberica and Excelsa. In this article, we discuss the key characteristics of these four main varieties.
Arabica coffee is by far the most popular coffee bean. If you drink coffee, you’ve almost certainly had a cup of coffee that contains arabica beans, since they make up almost 60% of the world’s coffee production.
Despite their popularity, Arabica beans are harder to grow since they need special conditions to develop properly such as an altitude of around 2,000 meters above sea level.
Brazil alone is responsible for producing 40% of the world’s Arabica beans.
Arabica beans are also considered to be of higher quality than the other main variety, Robusta. Due to their low level of bitterness, smooth body and complex flavour, they are favoured by coffee producers and drinkers alike. This makes them widely available at local coffee shops, roasters, or anywhere else that sells coffee.
Arabica beans come in a variety of roasts, however, medium-light roasts are favoured. If you want to buy single origin Arabica beans, make sure to read the label of your coffee bag because some brands make blends that contain Arabica beans amongst others.
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Robusta coffee beans are the second most popular and tend to be used for instant coffee. This is because they are a less expensive variety and tends to be lower in terms of quality.
Robusta beans also appear in many blends since their strong aroma and slightly more bitter flavour balances other less favourable notes. These beans are favoured by some coffee producers as they tend to resist diseases better than other beans and grow well in less favourable climate conditions. Brazil is one of the countries that has started growing Robusta amongst other varieties.
One of the advantages that Robusta beans have over Arabica is that they contain slightly more caffeine, which is something many coffee drinkers look for in their cup of coffee.
(see our guide to the strongest coffee in Australia)
This type of coffee bean is easy to find in supermarkets as they appear in most blends and tend to have a higher roast than other beans which makes them perfect for milk-based drinks.
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Liberica coffee is native to central and western Africa but has also gained popularity in Southeast Asia due to its resilience against most coffee diseases. Most of the cherries that the Liberica produces come in irregular shapes and colours.
The bean has a characteristic floral aroma that is very different from Robusta. This can add a smoky flavour to espresso. Liberica beans tend to have a nuttier and wood-like taste and the beans tend to vary inconsistency.
The Philippines is a good place to try some coffee from the Liberica family, where they tend to serve their coffee dark and with sugar, a great combination for this type of coffee bean.
Even though Liberica coffee represents only 2% of the world’s entire coffee production, it represents almost 95% of the coffee grown in Malaysia.
Grown in Southeast Asia, Excelsa coffee beans are now considered to be part of the Liberica family.
What makes them different from the rest of the Coffeaa family is that the bean tends to be roasted very light, showcasing the fruit-like flavours in the coffee.
Excelsa beans are lighter on both aroma and caffeine, making them a perfect choice for people that enjoy a really smooth and mellow espresso.
These beans tend to come in a blend as they balance other notes and aromas while adding complexity. Excelsa coffee beans are harder to find but you can always ask your specialty coffee roaster in case they might have some available.
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Which Type of coffee bean is Right for me?
With four different types of coffee beans out there it can be tricky to know which one to choose.
One thing to keep in mind is availability. Coffee beans from the Liberica and Excelsa family are much harder to get your hands on, so you may struggle to find these available for purchase. On the other hand, Arabica and Robusta are very popular and can be found almost everywhere.
Another thing to take into consideration is the profile of the coffee you like to drink. Do you prefer beans that have low acidity? Do you favour espresso-based drinks that have milk? Are your taste preferences more inclined to chocolate and nutty flavours or floral and fruit-like? Once you know exactly what you like, your local coffee shop or roaster should be able to point you in the right direction.
Mbegu zote za kahawa hutoka kwenye mmea wa kahawa wa Coffea. Mti huo hutokeza matunda yanayofanana na chai ya kahawa ambayo kila moja ina maharagwe mawili ya kahawa. Jamii ya Coffea ina matawi katika aina tofauti ambazo ni sehemu ya spishi moja lakini hutofautiana katika sifa kama vile rangi ya cherry kahawa, urefu, wiani na jinsi wao ni sugu kwa magonjwa. Mbegu nyingi za kahawa hukua na kutengenezwa ndani ya "mstari wa maharagwe ya kahawa". Eneo la Tropic of Cancer na Tropic of Capricorn (degree 23.5 kaskazini na kusini ya ikweta) ni eneo la kipekee la kusini mwa dunia, na lina mchanganyiko mzuri wa hali ya hewa ya kitropiki na urefu wa ardhi kwa ajili ya mimea ya kahawa. Kati ya aina nne kuu za maharagwe ya kahawa, Arabica na Robusta ndizo za kawaida zaidi, zikifuatwa na Liberica na Excelsa. Katika makala hii, tutazungumzia sifa kuu za aina hizo nne kuu. Kahawa ya Arabica ndiyo aina maarufu zaidi ya kahawa. Ikiwa unakunywa kahawa, karibu hakika umekunywa kikombe cha kahawa iliyo na maharagwe ya arabica, kwani hufanyiza karibu 60% ya uzalishaji wa kahawa ulimwenguni. Licha ya umaarufu wake, maharagwe ya Arabica ni ngumu kukuza kwani yanahitaji hali maalum ili kusitawi vizuri kama vile urefu wa mita 2,000 juu ya usawa wa bahari. Brazil pekee inazalisha asilimia 40 ya maharagwe ya Arabica duniani. Pia maharagwe ya Arabica huonwa kuwa ya hali ya juu kuliko aina nyingine kuu, Robusta. Kwa sababu ya kiwango cha chini cha uchungu, mwili laini na ladha tata, wao ni favored na wazalishaji wa kahawa na wanywaji sawa. Hilo hufanya iwe inapatikana kwa wingi katika maduka ya kahawa ya mahali hapo, katika mashine za kuoka kahawa, au mahali pengine popote panapouzwa kahawa. Mbegu za Arabica hutolewa kwa njia mbalimbali, hata hivyo, mbegu za rangi ya kati hupendwa. Ikiwa unataka kununua maharagwe ya Arabica ya asili moja, hakikisha kusoma lebo ya mfuko wako wa kahawa kwa sababu bidhaa zingine hufanya mchanganyiko ambao una maharagwe ya Arabica kati ya mengine. Kahawa ya Robusta ni ya pili maarufu zaidi na huwa hutumiwa kwa kahawa ya papo hapo. Hii ni kwa sababu wao ni aina ya bei nafuu na huwa na chini katika suala la ubora. Mbegu za Robusta pia huonekana katika mchanganyiko mwingi kwa kuwa harufu yao kali na ladha kali zaidi hupima maelezo mengine yasiyofaa. Mbegu hizi hupendwa na wazalishaji fulani wa kahawa kwa sababu zinaelekea kukinza magonjwa vizuri kuliko mbegu nyingine na kukua vizuri katika hali mbaya ya hali ya hewa. Brazil ni mojawapo ya nchi ambazo zimeanza kukuza Robusta miongoni mwa aina nyingine. Miongoni mwa faida za Robusta juu ya Arabica ni kuwa ina caffeine zaidi, ambayo ni kitu ambacho wanakunywa kahawa wengi hutafuta katika kikombe chao. Kahawa ya kahawa ya Australia ni moja ya kahawa bora zaidi ulimwenguni, na kwa sababu ya kuonekana kwa aina nyingi, ni rahisi kupata katika maduka makubwa, na huwa na kuchomwa zaidi kuliko maharagwe mengine, ambayo hufanya iwe kamili kwa vinywaji vya maziwa. Kahawa ya Liberica ni asili ya Afrika ya kati na magharibi lakini pia imepata umaarufu katika Asia ya Kusini-Mashariki kwa sababu ya upinzani wake dhidi ya magonjwa mengi ya kahawa. Mimea mingi ya cherry inayotokezwa na Liberica huwa na maumbo na rangi zisizo za kawaida. Mbegu hiyo ina harufu ya maua ambayo ni tofauti sana na ile ya Robusta. Hilo laweza kuongeza ladha ya moshi kwenye espresso. Nyasi za Liberica huwa na ladha ya karanga na ya mbao na nyasi huwa na kutofautiana kwa kutoelewana. Ufilipino ni mahali pazuri pa kujaribu kahawa kutoka kwa familia ya Liberica, ambapo huwa wanahudumia kahawa yao nyeusi na sukari, mchanganyiko mzuri wa aina hii ya maharagwe ya kahawa. Ingawa kahawa ya Liberica inawakilisha 2% tu ya uzalishaji wote wa kahawa ulimwenguni, inawakilisha karibu 95% ya kahawa inayokuzwa nchini Malaysia. Mbegu za kahawa za Excelsa, zinazokua Kusini-Mashariki mwa Asia, sasa huonwa kuwa sehemu ya familia ya Liberica. Tofauti na aina nyingine za kahawa, kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa ya kahawa. Kwa sababu ya ubora wake, maharagwe ya Excelsa yana ladha na caffeine, na hivyo ni bora kwa wale wanaopenda espresso laini. Mbegu hizo huchanganywa ili kusawazisha ladha na harufu nyingine na kuongeza utata. Kwa sababu ya ubora wa kahawa, ni rahisi kupata, lakini unaweza kuamua kuwa na kahawa ya kipekee ya kipekee, kwa sababu ya ubora wa kahawa. Jinsi ya kuhifadhi maharagwe ya kahawa Ni aina gani ya maharagwe ya kahawa inayofaa kwangu? Kuna aina nne tofauti za maharagwe ya kahawa, na ni vigumu kujua ni ipi ya kuchagua. Jambo moja la kukumbuka ni upatikanaji. Kwa sababu maharagwe ya kahawa ya familia ya Liberica na Excelsa ni rahisi kupata, unaweza kuwa na shida kupata hizi zinazopatikana kwa ununuzi. Kwa upande mwingine, Arabica na Robusta ni maarufu sana na zinaweza kupatikana karibu kila mahali. Jambo jingine la kuzingatia ni aina ya kahawa unayopenda kunywa. Je, unapendelea maharagwe yenye asidi kidogo? Je, unapendelea vinywaji vyenye maziwa? Je, unapendelea ladha ya chokoleti na karanga au ladha ya maua na matunda? Baada ya kujua nini hasa wewe kama, duka lako la kahawa au roaster inapaswa kuwa na uwezo wa kuelekeza wewe katika mwelekeo sahihi.