Types of Coffee
What we consume has a profound effect on how we feel - and how we perform as human beings. More space has been created for organic items on grocery store shelves, more restaurant goers are seeking wild-caught and grass-fed alternatives, so shouldn't we approach our coffee the same way?
How often do you drink coffee? If you’re a self-confessed coffee lover, odds are you drink more coffee by volume in the course of a year than you consume any other single food or drink product. Americans drink an estimated 146 billion cups of coffee every year and round 400 million cups per day. The average American coffee drinker consumes three cups of coffee per day, coffee is the second most frequently consumed beverage in the U.S. at 63%; water is number one at 66%, and 85% of Americans have at least one cup of coffee at home.
The four main types of coffee are Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. All coffee is grown in what’s called the “Bean Belt,” an area between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn in more than 50 countries around the world. Let’s explore what makes each bean and flavor profile unique.
Arabica
Arabica is the most popular and widely known coffee bean on the planet. More than 60% of the coffee beans grown and consumed are Arabica beans. Most coffee brands advertise their coffee as 100% Arabica because they are considered to be the highest quality of the four different types of beans. Arabica beans originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, often considered the birthplace of coffee. The Arabica plant is delicate, prone to disease like leaf rust, and requires regular upkeep and pruning for optimal yield. Arabica beans are grown in areas with lots of shade at high altitudes with steady rainfall. An average Arabica plant grows to be between eight and 15 feet tall. Cultivating Arabica beans in large quantities can be challenging, which is responsible for its premium market price.
Arabica coffee has a sweet and delicate flavor, with less acidity than other types that we’ll explore later. Regarding Arabica’s tasting notes, these beans pack a lot of flavor and a matching aroma, which makes them desirable for avid coffee drinkers. An important note about Arabica beans is that their sweet flavor can be muted slightly if served cold or with cream or sweetener. If you enjoy iced coffee or take your coffee in a variety other than black, but still want the robust flavor from your beans, you may consider another variety, like Robusta, that will stand up to other flavors.
Robusta
The second most popular coffee bean on the planet is Robusta. These beans are often preferred in places like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa because of their strong flavor. Hardier than Arabica beans, the Robusta bean is also more resistant to diseases, like leaf rust. Where Arabica demands shade and steady rainfall, Robusta thrives in warmer climates with irregular rainfall and can grow at several altitudes successfully. Robusta originates from sub-Saharan Africa. Today, Robusta is grown in Africa and Indonesia. The beans are larger than other types and the average Robusta plant measures between 15 and 20 feet tall.
When it comes to the flavor of Robusta, some say it can taste harsher and more bitter than other types; some describe the flavor as burnt or rubbery. Robusta beans are often used in dark roast blends with Arabica beans to reduce the market price for consumers. Robusta is also often used in many instant coffee varieties.
An interesting fact that you may not know about Robusta is that the beans contain twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica beans. Caffeine acts as a natural insect repellent, enhancing the plants hardiness and resilience. Common flavor notes, depending on roast, of course, are earthy with hints of dark chocolate and rum.
If all you’re looking for is a caffeine delivery mechanism, you might save yourself some money by purchasing Robusta beans wherever you get your coffee. This coffee may also be a great option for those that enjoy their coffee iced or with cream and sweetener as Robusta can stand up better to other flavors than Arabica while preserving the robust coffee flavor you love.
Liberica
Unless you have sought out the Liberica bean specifically, it is unlikely that this uncommon coffee type has filled your cup. Liberica beans hail from Liberia in west Africa. The plants and the beans of the Liberica are larger than both Arabica and Robusta. They are also the only bean on the planet known to have an irregular shape. Similar to Robusta, Liberica is a hardy bean. Liberica’s global welcoming came in the late nineteenth century when a plant fungus known as leaf rust decimated much of the world’s Arabica plants. At that time, coffee was becoming an extremely popular commodity making its way to all corners of the world. The Philippines were the first to harvest and sell Liberica beans at scale to feed the growing demand for coffee during that time. This also coincided with when the Philippines were a U.S. territory. Once they declared independence, riding the wave of a growing coffee economy, the U.S. imposed heavy economic sanctions and ended trade relations with the Philippines, crippling their ability to cultivate and export Liberica. Without another nation to pick up the mantle, the U.S. sanctions would eventually lead to the collapse of Liberica on the global stage.
Liberica is now mainly grown in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines making up around 2% of the world’s coffee supply, which means you likely won’t find it in North America or Europe; however, in Malaysia, Liberica makes up 95% of their coffee bean supply.
Some describe the flavor of Liberica beans to have a light smokey flavor and somewhat woody taste with floral and fruit hints. Others compare Liberica tasting notes to burnt garbage. If you’re seeking to get your hands on this elusive bean, your best chance may be at a market which caters to a Filipino community.
Excelsa
The fourth and final coffee bean type is Excelsa, a close relative of the Liberica bean, but worlds different in taste. Originally it was thought that Excelsa was a completely separate plant species; however, more recent research has reclassified this bean as a Liberica variant. Excelsa is cultivated primarily in Southeast Asia. Average plants typically grow to between 20 and 30 feet tall, significantly larger than the other three varieties we’ve discussed. Excelsa beans are also less common than even the Liberica bean and make up only a tiny fraction of the world’s coffee marketplace.
The flavor of Excelsa is as unique as these beans are rare. You will find that Excelsa presents distinct flavor attributes often found in both light and dark roasts, such as both tart and fruity flavor notes that make for a complex, unique profile. These distinct beans are also lighter on caffeine and aroma than the other three types. Similar to Liberica beans, when it comes to finding Excelsa, your best chance may be at a market which caters to a Southeast Asian community.
Those are the four main types of coffee. We hope you now have a better idea of all the available options so that you can find a coffee that’s right for your taste buds, body, and routine. It’s all about identifying what works best for you, so try several options and enjoy the process! We recommend purchasing whole bean coffee and grinding to brew so that you experience the best flavor and intended tasting notes.
