Did you know that different coffee beans are one of the many reasons that your coffee can taste so differently? In this post, we’ll talk about the four main types of coffee beans and characteristics that can influence the body, aroma, bitterness, and acidity of your finished brew. Through this guide, you’ll be able to narrow down whether Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, or Excelsa beans are right for your own taste and aroma preferences.
The Four Main Coffee Bean Types
In the next section, we’ll delve into the four most commonly used beans in coffee production - Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa - and discuss their main qualities. We call them beans, but it is worth mentioning that coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit or plant that can be compared to a cherry.
Arabica: Smooth and nuanced
The most common coffee bean used in coffee production, Arabica coffee beans are responsible for more than 60% of the world’s coffee production. Here are some characteristics of the Arabica coffee bean:
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Grown at a high altitude in areas with regular rainfall and shade (some are even grown on the slopes of volcanoes!!)
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Known for its smoothness and sweet, delicate, and lighter flavors with a balanced sweetness and acidity
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Notes can be fruity or nutty
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Originated in Ethiopia but was named after the bean’s popularity in Arabia in the 7th century
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The largest Arabica bean-producing countries include Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
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It is a disease-prone tree, but they are easy to harvest and prune
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Oval in shape and dark brown in color
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Less caffeine than Robusta beans
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Best used for brewed coffee
Robusta: Bold and powerful
The second most commonly produced coffee bean used in coffee production, Robusta beans account for around 30% of the world’s coffee production (although it has risen in popularity in recent years). Here are some characteristics of the Robusta bean:
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Grown at various altitudes in places with hot climates that have less consistent rainfall.
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Known for its bolder, sharper, and more bitter taste
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Notes can be woody or nutty
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Originated in central and western Africa and was named after its sturdiness and immunity to disease
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The largest Robusta bean-producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda.
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Larger and more rounded
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Double to triple the caffeine of Arabica beans
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Often used to augment caffeine in commercial blends and in espresso
Liberica & Excelsa: The rare finds
Liberica and Excelsa are far less common beans, but they each have their own unique smells, sizes, and flavors.
Liberica
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It can be grown in harsh climates and at low altitudes
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One of the hardest beans to find (it accounts for about 2% of the produced coffee)
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Known for its controversial but coveted flavor
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Notes of nutty and smoky, floral with hints of dark chocolate
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Unique aroma that’s smoky, fruity, and floral
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Originating in central and western Africa, it is commonly grown in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
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Almond-shaped seed
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Often mixed in blends or for cooking
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It was a temporary replacement for Arabica beans in the late 1800s when coffee rust wiped out Arabica crops in Southeast Asia.
Excelsa
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Recently re-classified as a type of Liberica bean, but it has a very different taste.
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Known for a flavor that combines light and dark roast characteristics
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Notes that can range from fruity and tart to rich and bold
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Less caffeine than Robusta and Arabica beans
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Elongated oval shape
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Grown in Vietnam and the Philippines
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Considered to be bolder than Arabica and comparable to Robusta
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Recently re-classified as a member of the Liberica family
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Often used to add dimension to blends
For a coffee roast that will bring out every potential flavor and aroma from your coffee beans, use the most high-quality extraction tools from Pesado.
How Bean Characteristics Affect Flavor
In the next section, we’ll explain some of the different characteristics of coffee beans and how they can positively affect the flavor of your finished coffee. All of these characteristics can be less desirable if they’re not balanced.
Aroma and flavor notes
We’ve talked about some potential flavors of coffee beans, but let’s define some of the terms we used in the last section to help understand what flavor you want from your coffee bean. These include descriptions like fruity, floral, and nutty.
Fruity
Flavor and Aroma: A higher level of acidity (sharp flavor) with natural flavors reminiscent of berries or citrus. Smells like citrus, berry, or other natural fruit.
Floral
Flavor and Aroma: often described as “tastes show it smells.” More often present in lighter roasts. Common notes can include Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Fruit Blossoms, and Wildflowers.
Nutty
Flavor and Aroma: Reminiscent of nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, and other varieties.
Smoky
Flavor and Aroma: Smell and flavor comparable to a campfire or fireplace. More often present in exotic coffees.
We’ve talked about some of the qualities of the pure beans, but it’s important to note that the roast level of beans will also lead to different flavors, aromas, and textures.
Light Roast Flavors - Have more acidity and complexity than other roast levels, with low bitterness. Fruity or citrus notes.
Medium Roast Flavors - Have more balanced flavors that are slightly sweet and acidic, with a fuller body.
Dark Roast Flavors - Bolder flavors that are smoky, rich, and bittersweet with low acidity. Intense, rich flavors.
Acidity and body
Flavor and aroma are two immediate qualities of coffee that are easier to describe, but acidity and body are more difficult. Let’s break down each of these characteristics:
Acidity
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A multi-faceted term that describes the sharpness of a cup of coffee when it’s in your mouth.
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Depending on how slowly a coffee bean grows, the more acidity it will have.
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Arabica coffee plants take three to four years to grow, while Robusta coffee plants take 10-11 months.
Body
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A multi-faceted term that describes the sensation of heaviness or strength when coffee is in your mouth, especially when pressing the tongue against the palate
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The three kinds of body are Light, Medium, and Full Body
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Light Body - subtle and delicate
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Medium Body - Noticeable but not overwhelming
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Full Body - rich, heavy, and intense
Bitterness and caffeine content
Coffee beans also have their own individual bitterness and caffeine content that come through in both the individual beans and the roast level. Let’s discuss each of the beans and how the roast level affects the bitterness and caffeine levels.
Arabica - Distinct lack of bitterness. The least amount of caffeine
Robusta - High bitterness, twice as much caffeine as Robusta beans because the plant needs it as a chemical defense against bugs.
Liberica - Lowest caffeine content, not bitter
Excelsa - Lower caffeine content and bitterness than Robusta
Along with the type of bean, the roast level of the beans will also affect their bitterness and caffeine content. The light roast will be the least bitter, and the dark roast will lead to the most bitter brew.
As far as caffeine content, the difference between roast levels is pretty negligible and more dependent on how the coffee is brewed than its roast level.
Light Roast (1.13%)
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When measured by weight (vs. volume), slightly more caffeine because of the density of individual beans
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Retains more moisture and antioxidants than darker roasts
Medium Roast (1.17%)
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Slightly higher caffeine content than light roast and dark roast.
Dark Roast (1.08%)
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Due to their larger size, dark roast beans have slightly less caffeine than a scoop of light roast.
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The more you roast the beans, the more they dry out
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To have a consistent amount of caffeine, measure your coffee by weight
For the most precise cup of coffee with your ideal bitterness and caffeine, explore the many distribution tool options from Pesado. They’ll help you find your perfect balance.
Coffee Bean Recap
Whether you’re looking for the familiar pop of the Robusta bean, the smoothness of the Arabica bean, the exotic flavor profile of the Liberica bean, or the hybrid qualities of the Excelsa bean, there’s a whole spectrum of options for your next coffee. It’s up to you to experiment and find your perfect blend of beans and roast levels that can lead to your perfect future combination.
When you need the tools for the job that will give you complete control over your coffee, Pesado offers high-quality, competitively priced implements and accessories that can help bring out each bean’s best characteristics. With superior customer support from people who are as passionate about coffee as you and products made with premium materials, Pesado enables you to make exactly the coffee that you want to make.
