Types of coffee beans

 

What are the Different Types of Coffee Beans? 

By: wahyu

Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, which are found inside the coffee berry or coffee cherries. The vast majority of coffee beans in the world come from two species of coffee: Coffea arabica, and Coffea robusta. Other species include: Coffea benghalensis, Bengal coffee; Coffea congensis, Congo coffee; Coffea liberica, Liberian coffee; Coffea stenophylla, Sierra Leonian coffee; Coffea excelsia, another Liberian coffee; Coffea bonnieri; Coffea gallienii; and Coffea mogeneti. Within Arabica, however, there are many different varietals, each of which produce coffee beans with distinct flavors and characteristics.

Lastly, Uganda produces some Arabica coffee, of the Bugishu varietal, although the majority of coffee grown in Uganda is Robusta.

The island of Sumatra also provides two varietals of coffee beans, the Sumatra Mandheling and the Sumatra Lintong. The island of Sulawesi also offers a varietal of Arabica coffee beans, known as Sulawesi Toraja Kalossi.

Regardless of coffee’s origins, all beans go through a similar process in preparation for brewing. Rotten or disfigured beans are removed so only the highest quality coffee beans remain.

There are several species of coffee trees but most commercial coffee growers use primarily the Arabica and Robusta species. Coffees are rarely designated as Robusta or Arabica beans.

For many years, consumers purchased green coffee beans and roasted them at home. Roasting the beans enhances the coffee’s flavor and releases pungent oils. American roast produces a medium bodied coffee. Brazilian roast is a slightly darker roast than the American roast. An increasingly popular roast is the French roast. French roasted beans are the color of dark chocolate. All coffee is best bought as whole roasted beans. Coffee is brewed by two methods: decoction or infusion. Espresso, made by brewing espresso roasted beans under high pressure, is a strong, black coffee served in small cups. Flavored coffee -- such as hazelnut, maple walnut and raspberry -- is produced by adding flavored oils to the beans during roasting.

Coffee connoisseurs rate coffees based on their aroma, acidity (liveliness), body and flavor. High quality coffees have strong, fragrant aromas. High acidity levels in beans is preferable, but their body can range from light (Mexican coffees) to heavy (Sumatra coffees).