A Bean with Many Faces

We love our cafés, we love our cultures, and we love our coffee, but have you ever stopped to think about where it all comes from? What are the many types of beans that extract the delicious elixir we all enjoy today? If you are a self-confessed coffee lover, to truly appreciate your coffee, unravel the rich tapestry of flavours that these beans lovingly offer.

ARABICA BEANS: A TASTE OF ELEGANCE

The captivating world of Arabica beans, where quality meets popularity. Known as the crème de la crème of coffee beans, Arabica is the most cherished and widely recognized variety believed to be one of the first coffee species ever grown with roots dating back to 1,000BC.

What sets Arabica apart from its counterparts is its easy maintenance and convenience to take care of. With their modest size and graceful structure, pruning becomes a simple act of nurturing these botanical companions. The beans are generally oval in shape being larger than Robusta beans and have a pronounced centre crease. Known for their vibrant and complex flavours, these beans are loved by coffee connoisseurs because they tend to have a sweeter, softer taste, with tones of fruits, florals, chocolate, and nuts.

Over 60% of the world’s coffee production is dedicated to cultivating these exquisite beans thriving in lofty altitudes. Arabica beans demand the embrace of lush landscapes blessed with gentle rainfall and abundant shade. Generally, it is more expensive than Robusta due to their delicate nature and specific cultivating requirements such as weather and altitude. Latin America, specifically Brazil, is currently the largest producer of Arabica coffee.

ROBUSTA BEANS: A BOLD DELIGHT

Prepare to meet the esteemed Robusta beans, the second most widely cultivated variety in the realm of coffee. Embodying strength and resilience, these beans have earned their name by conquering adversity and displaying an impressive immunity to a plethora of diseases.

One other aspect to bear in mind is that compared to their Arabica counterparts, these beans pack a powerful punch, boasting twice the amount of caffeine. Coffee beans from the Robusta species are generally smaller and more circular than Arabica beans, they are also usually paler, and the centre crease is less pronounced. The robust nature of Robusta beans harmonizes flawlessly with milk and sugar, making them an irresistible choice, especially for the lovers of iced coffee.

Commonly grown in Africa, Vietnam and Indonesia, Robusta has lower acidity levels. Thriving under the scorching climate of a warm embrace kill me. Robusta’s produce fruit much more quickly than the Arabicas, which need several years to come to maturity, and they yield more crop per tree. Their adaptability flourishes in regions with irregular rainfall and diverse altitudes.

EXCELSA BEANS: A UNIQUE VARIANT

If you really want to expand your horizons beyond the regular Arabica and Robusta beans, consider seeking out Excelsa coffee. It’s a scarce crop people often misunderstand, but it offers a complex and fruity cup when done right.

Both grow on tall trees, but the Excelsa beans are generally smaller and rounder. Occasionally the beans will feature the teardrop shape found on Liberica beans. It has a sweet, fruity, tart quality but is strong and dark. The aroma, however, can be very strong and different from the pleasant fruity tastes. The smell has been described as being anything from “jackfruit” to “unpleasant”.

Although it’s a unique variety of Liberica, it is often listed separately. The labour taken to cultivate these as well as the lack of market value limits the production of them greatly. You will however often find that Excelsa is often added to Arabica blends to add depth of flavour and a fuller body to coffee blends. Like Liberica coffee, Excelsa originated in Africa but is now found almost exclusively in South-east Asia. The key producing countries of Excelsa are Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Excelsa trees are resistant to several diseases that affect other coffee species, including coffee leaf rust or nematodes. This might make it seem like an attractive crop for farmers, but the trees are tall and bushy, requiring regular pruning that can be very labour-intensive.

LIBERICA BEANS: EXOTIC

Liberica coffee is the main species that Excelsa beans belongs to. Unlike its more common cousins, Arabica and Robusta, Liberica is an enigma cherished by coffee connoisseurs seeking new sensory experiences.

Liberica’s beans grow on taller trees and they have a distinctive long oval shape being larger than other varieties. In the Philippines, Liberica coffee is known as Barako coffee and is one of the largest consumers of this type. It’s a very sturdy coffee plant. In the conditions of Coffea Diversa in southern Costa Rica, it grows well. Its flavour profile is a delightful dance between the familiar and the exotic. Imagine sipping from your cup of freshly brewed Liberica coffee, as captivating aromas of floral fragrances, fruity nuances, and hints of enchanting spices embrace your senses.

Whilst Liberica originated from West Africa in Liberia, in todays world it is mostly grown and consumed in Southeast Asia It’s mainly grown in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia and makes up most of Malaysia’s coffee production. In the Philippines alone, liberica accounts for more than 70% of all grown coffee. Though that seems quite high, the variant of coffee is limited, accounting for less than 2% of coffee crops worldwide.

Amidst the alluring aroma and the delightful dance of flavours, coffee holds its secrets close. Though, those who seek are most likely going to find. Here are some interesting facts about coffee from across the world.

Europe Loves Coffee

According to International Coffee Association, Europe, surprisingly, imports more coffee than the USA considering the states are larger. Also, Brazil is the lead exporting country in coffee. Though, Finland consumes the most coffee in the world.

Hawaii Is The Only American State That Grows Coffee

Good coffee growing conditions require high altitudes, tropical climates, and rich soil. There is only one state, Hawaii, which is able to grow coffee. It has been producing coffee even before it was a state. (Only recently, though, farms in California started growing coffee bushes!)

DRINKING COFFEE WAS ONCE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH!

During the 17th century Ottoman Empire, it was believed that coffee contained mind-altering effects. The ruler of this period believed it to be a type of narcotic and banned it from public consumption.

COFFEE, GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE?

In the 16th century Constantinople, potential wives were chosen or rejected based on their ability to make coffee. However, the women had the upper hand once married. If a man didn’t provide enough coffee for his wife, she could use this as grounds for divorce (pun intended).

The Most Expensive Coffees Are Made From Cat Poop And Elephant Dung

In the West, kopi luwak has become known as “cat poop coffee.” With prices ranging between $35 and $100 a cup or about $100 to $600 a pound, kopi luwak is widely considered to be the most expensive coffee in the world. (I personally wouldn’t try this!)

The most expensive coffee in world, however, is Black Ivory Coffee. It can cost up to $1,100 per kilogram. This coffee is produced from part-digested coffee cherries eaten and defecated by Thai elephants.

WHERE DID THE WORD CAPPUCCINO COME FROM?

The cappuccino was named after Capuchin friars because its colour resembles the Capuchin robe. The Italian word for this distinctive hood, Cappuccio, gave rise to the Italian name for the order. Although, the word ‘coffee’ comes from the Arabic word ‘qahwah’ which refers to a type of tea.

Coffee Is A Fruit

Coffee beans grow on a bush. They are actually the pit of a berry, which makes them a fruit. There are two main varieties of beans, green and red.

WHO DISCOVERED COFFEE?

It was said that coffee was discovered by a goat herder in Ethiopia in the 1500s. He saw his goats eating coffee cherries. Afterwards, he observed a change in their behaviour. They gained a high amount of energy, and they didn’t sleep at night. The herder shared his findings with local monks and then after they made a drink with coffee beans, they realized they could stay up all night and pray. Then, they spread the word to other Ethiopian monks, and it reached across the civilized world.