As mentioned above, Arabica is the most common (and undoubtedly the most traded) type of coffee in North America. This is because it actually tastes sweeter and more delicate and coffee itself tends to be less acidic. Learn about the four most popular types of coffee beans Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica and when to use them. Arabica coffee beans are the most popular variety in the world.
Arabica beans are native to Ethiopia, but are cultivated in several countries around the world with tropical climates and high altitudes. Dark brown in color and soft to the touch, the Arabica bean develops a diverse flavor profile that ranges from slightly sweet and fruity to a nutty flavor when roasted. Arabica beans are considered to be the highest-quality variety and can be found in most places where coffee beans are sold, from the local supermarket to your favorite coffee shop. The popularity and versatility of Arabica beans make it an excellent choice for many recipes that call for coffee beans, from freshly brewed coffee to coffee pastries.
With a distinctly larger and more rounded shape, Robusta coffee beans are the second most popular variety. While native to sub-Saharan Africa, Robusta beans are mainly grown today in Africa, Indonesia and India. When it comes to Arabica beans versus Robusta beans, Robusta beans have a deeper, more bitter flavor profile with hints of wood and nuts. Arabica coffee is arguably the best-known and most popular variety of the two.
Arabica coffee beans are generally grown at higher altitudes in climates with more humidity, making them slightly more expensive and difficult to grow. Within the genus Coffea, there are four main species of coffee beans. The most common and economically relevant are Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, which represent more than 90% of global coffee production. The other types of commercially grown coffee beans are Liberica and Excelsa.
For a truly intense cup, you can't go wrong with Death Wish Coffee Co's Dark Roast, which claims to be the strongest coffee in the world. In terms of flavor, light roasted coffee has a roasted flavor and a prominent acidity, which is what allows the original flavor of the coffee beans to shine. You'll be surprised what the right combination of coffee bean varieties by region and level of roast can bring to your morning cup of coffee. There are plenty of coffee beans available for coffee lovers to explore, and each type offers a unique flavor profile that complements a variety of drink, dessert and food recipes.
With the help of a coffee grinder, you can choose the right grind for the selected coffee bean and the preparation method. To find quality Robusta beans to create espresso recipes or coffee blends, try searching in a specialty coffee shop. Since the flavor profiles of coffee beans can be adapted to different food and beverage applications, the correct type of coffee bean to choose for a recipe will depend on the specific flavor you want to achieve. Because of this bitter taste, Robusta beans are commonly used in coffee blends as a complement to other coffee flavors.
You're less likely to find this coffee bean on its own, with the exception of instant coffee or espresso beans. Excelsa coffee beans are known for their incredibly complex flavor profile and are commonly used in coffee blends to give them greater dimension. You can use it to prepare coffee, after removing the coffee bean from the coffee cherry and washing, drying, roasting and grinding it.
