Coffee! It is not just a word. It is an emotion. Do you know that there are different types of coffee beans.With coffee, you begin your day, and with the coffee, you work tirelessly. With coffee, you talk business, and with the coffee, you start your date. You cannot deny coffee being a part of your life.
But as you walk through the grocery store, you can find different types of vendors selling coffee with other names like “Arabica coffee”, “Robusta beans”. Have you ever wondered what these types are?. Let us walk down the lane to understand what it is all about.
The interesting story of coffee Discovery:
Coffee was discovered long back in the 15th century in Yemen. And by the end of the 16th century it spread across the Middle East, parts of India, Persia, Turkey. On the roads of Ethiopia, a legend discovered a folk of birds binging on berries of a tree. The hungry legend tried to grab a few berries and chewed the berries.
It did not taste very pleasant on chewing it. The legend then roasted it. The Aroma while roasting surprised him. He then boiled it to soften the beans. The magic transpired to witness the fragrant brown liquid. Upon drinking, he survived and energized himself for an extended period.As days passed, it spread across the globe. People relished it and energized them-self with its marvel.
What are the different types of coffee beans? How many?
Primarily there are four types of coffee beans. They are coffee arabica(Arabica), coffee caniphora(Robusta), coffee liberica(Liberica) and coffee liberica var.dewaria(Excelsa). These four types of coffee play a predominant role in the coffee industry. Let us dig further to know which tastes better.
Arabica
Arabica is one among the types of coffee beans whose botanical name is coffee arabica. Arabica plays a massive role in the coffee market. People love arabica coffee bean for its Aroma, taste and caffeine content. People prefer it because of its sweet taste and deliciously aromatic with low caffeine content, and it is less acidic. The prime producer of this Arabica coffee bean is from Egypt. This bean needs plenty of rainfall, and it has to be grown on a high elevated area above the sea level. The lush deep forest makes coffee grow densely. Thus Brazil satisfying these two criteria becomes an ideal producer of this type of coffee bean.
Environmental factors play a huge role in any growth of a plant. And Arabica coffee beans are no way different. Coffee being a delicate plant needs to be maintained heavily. It demands pruning from time to time, and it requires your attention to grow and to yield out. Arabica coffee beans are easily prone to be affected by insects and birds. Birds and insects love to feed on Arabica coffee beans. Thus it requires massive attention to give a considerable amount of yield.
To produce Arabica beans is quite challenging. And that too to make in large numbers is quite a difficult task and so the cost of this particular coffee bean is higher when compared to other coffee beans. People understand its delicious Aroma, smooth taste, and so they are ready to pay extra bucks for it. And Arabica beans do not fail to disappoint people with its taste.
Tips to make Arabica taste better:
It tastes better when served hot. Its flavour reduces when filled with ice or served chill. Similar results will only be produced if you blend this Arabica coffee powder with milk or cream.
It gets creamier, and its taste does not come out naturally. But it can be great if you mix it up with any flavours.
Robusta
Robusta is one among the types of coffee beans which is popular in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As the name suggests, this species has a strong flavour and is exceptionally rich in caffeine content. This intense flavour and Aroma attracts people towards its side.
It guarantees freshness and unique flavour. Many farmers prefer to plant this robusta coffee bean as it requires less maintenance. Itself guards itself and does not attract any insects and birds. Climate does not play a vital role in its growth or development. This particular type of coffee bean is not affected by climatic changes, and it can be grown quickly, and high yields can be obtained easily. As it grows easily, farmers prefer this to plant in their farms.
Tips to get the best out of Robusta.
Due to its strong caffeine and intense coffee flavour, Robusta attracts less coffee fervent.And it is solid amongst the type of coffee flavours. It is widely in the process of making instant coffee. It is also used in combination with Arabica coffee bean in 3:1 ratio to create a perfect blend of coffee which lasts for its Aroma, smooth taste and freshness.High quality of Robusta bean has a hint of dark chocolate and it also at times tastes like rum. To keep you going throughout the day, a cup of Robusta coffee without sugar or cream is the best one.
Liberica
Liberica has a limited version.It is a popular bean among the types of coffee beans. Liberica originated from central Africa, and now it is spread all over the globe. People who have tried this coffee bean would not forget its taste. It was not widespread until the 19th century. Slowly people started to experiment, and this marvel got their attention immediately. People who had the opportunity to taste this particular coffee bean say that Liberica tasted woody yet divine. Liberica coffee bean is quite a surprise to its lovers as its flowers and beans spit its Aroma everywhere.
This Liberica coffee bean played a predominant role when the entire coffee industry faced a downfall due to “coffee rust”, a disease which affected mainly the coffee plants in huge numbers. The Arabica as a whole coffee bean was destroyed due to this disease, and at that time, Liberica coffee beans stepped in as a substitute. People accepted it, and from them, Liberica started showing its growth and progress in the coffee Industry.
Excelsa
Excelsa is amongst the types of coffee beans. It is mainly grown in southwest Asian countries. It is distinct, and it accounts for 7% of the entire coffee production around the globe. Its contribution is significantly less to the coffee lovers, yet it is loved for its taste. Excelsa coffee bean being one among the types of coffee beans also originated from the southwest Asian region. It creates marvel when blended in the dough of tart. This tart brims with fruit flavour and serves as a never-failing dish. Excelsa when roasted lightly and when it is dark roast it never fails to impress its lovers.
Why do we need to roast a coffee bean?
A coffee bean is set to emit out its attributes on Roasting. Each types of coffee beans has to be roasted differently to bring out its unique taste. Before it reaches your cup, it is just a small red colour flower which has to undergo several processes to make every day of your special.
On drying a coffee bean, the colour changes into the green. And this green coffee bean is exported around the globe. This green coffee bean can be stored for months together, and if consumed without roasting it is a complete disaster. It doesn’t taste delightful and is completely acidic. So to bring out the best of the coffee beans, Roasting plays a vital role.
Stages of Roasting
On roasting a coffee bean, its moisture expels out and makes it expand. On roasting its natural sugar is converted, and some natural properties change to bring out the best in a coffee bean.
Stage 1:
A green coloured bean is considered to be in phase one. In this stage, the green essence reminds the bean.
Stage 2:The green colour slowly changes into yellow colour emitting a grassy odour.
Stage 3: Steam evaporates from the bean. At this stage, the bean loses its water content.
Stage 4: Stage 4 witnesses the first crack. This is often called cinnamon crack. A slight crack begins with the popping sound, and this is where the exact Roasting begins.
Stage 5: This stage is called a city roast. This is where the bean has reached an acceptable level of Roasting.Most people prefer this stage to brew the coffee.
Stage 6: This is the most popular level where people grind the bean at this stage. This stage is called City plus roasting where the bean swells up and caramelised to produces a good taste and Aroma
Step 7: This is the stage where the second cracking happens, and the bean is roasted even darker. The stage is often termed as full City plus Roasting.
Stage 8:This stage the bean cracks with violent sound to produce the best of its flavour. Its intensity is at maximum in this stage.
Stage 9:This stage is called a dark roast where the bean reached its utmost Roasting.The overall bean structure gets modified in this stage.
Stage 10:This is the final stage where you need to stop roasting your bean. If roasted more the bean gets burnt and you can sense a pungent smell from it.
How to roast a coffee bean?
People choose to stop roasting based on their preference. And it is widely divided into Light, Medium, Medium Dark and Dark roast. It is classified so based on its temperature.Different types of coffee bens has to be roasted differently.
Light
To roast a coffee bean lightly, one has to maintain a temperature of about 356 to 401-degree Fahrenheit.This is often called cinnamon roast, and it falls under stage 4.This is the stage where the first cracking sound appears. This stage produces bright brews and adds light texture to your coffee. This is a safe stage of Roasting which can be done quickly at home.
Medium
To get this type of roast, one has to maintain around 410-428 degree Fahrenheit. This roast is obtained before the end of the first crack. It is less acidic when compared to light.
Medium-dark roast
To get this medium-dark roast, you need to maintain a temperature of around 437 to 446-degree Fahrenheit. This is observed around the second crack
Dark Roast
To obtain this, a coffee bean has to be roasted around 464 to 482-degree Fahrenheit. This is somewhere on the happening of the second crack. It would help if you were rightly equipped to remove the bean at this stage. If failed, the bean would get burnt. French roast, Italian roast, Espresso roast falls under this category.
Different tastes of Coffee at different places:
Colombia
Colombian coffee is world-renowned, and it is the primary producer of Arabica coffee beans. Colombian coffee is known for its delicious taste and flavourful Aroma. Each types of coffee beans differ from place to places.
Why Colombian coffee is the best?
Colombian coffee is considered as the world’s best coffee because of the following two reasons.
Ideal temperature:
Colombia has the ideal temperature for the coffee bean to grow. As the height increases the coffee tastes better. And this makes Colombian coffee world-famous
Hand Picking:
Hand-picking is the best technique, followed by the Colombians, to pick up the harvest. This retains the flavour and brings out the best of them.
Guatemala:
Guatemala is a place where coffee beans grow in abundance. Coffee beans have played a massive role in improving their economy.
The reason behind Guatemala coffee tasting better
The ideal temperature, The constant rainfall, mineral-rich soil, volcanic soil, organic soil makes Guatemala the best place to grow this types of coffee beans.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s coffee beans will make you visit Costa Rica. A cup of sweet coffee with less acidity with the taste of green apples makes this coffee stand out.
Why is Costa Rica so good in taste?
Growing altitude, perfect climate, Organic soil, Harvesting method makes Costa Rica unique.
How do I choose coffee beans?
There are few factors which have to be taken in mind before buying it
Lookout for coffee roasted date: The best time to bring a coffee from a coffee bean is almost three weeks of Roasting. A coffee bean gives out its best up to three weeks. It does not expire after it, but its flavour oozes out.
Climate:
Always choose a coffee bean based on the location it grows. Lookout for coffee beans originating from higher altitudes, Organic soil, Handpicked beans. It makes the coffee bean give out its best.
Single-origin or blend:
A single-origin coffee bean is from an estate which is balanced and less acidic. At the same time, a blend is a mixture of coffee bean from different stages of Roasting. It goes well with milk.
Roast level:
Based on the roasting level coffee tastes better. On a light roast coffee bean is more acidic, and on the deep roast, it tastes differently.
This extensive guide would let you know the types of coffee bean and the needed temperature while roasting. All we need is to make you taste the best of the best coffee in this world.
What type of coffee beans are used for espresso
Expresso can be made from any type of coffee bean.A blend of different beans can also be preffered to make an expresso. The taste of an expresso highly depends on the stages in roasting a coffee bean.Different types of coffee beans can be roasted and taken out at different stages to obtain the best.
