‍Arabica Coffee Beans

With more than 60% of all coffee production coming from Arabica beans, they are the most widely produced coffee bean in the world. These beans grow best at high altitudes, steady rainfall, and shade. Arabica is known for having a both a rich flavour and aroma with a delicately sweet, less acidic taste. For coffee drinkers who prefer a smooth, complex flavour without any bitterness, Arabica is the best option.

Roasting Style

To protect their delicate flavours and aromas, Arabica beans are typically roasted in light to medium styles. Arabica beans' fruity and floral undertones are enhanced by light roasting, while medium roasting yields a cup with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

Drink of Choice

Arabica beans are versatile and taste great in many different beverages. Pour-over and drip coffee methods allow the subtle flavors of the beans to shine, while cold brew brings out their sweetness. Arabica beans are also commonly used in espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, providing a balance of flavors and aromas that complements milk and foam.

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Robusta Coffee Beans

With about 40% of all coffee production, Robusta coffee beans are the second most widely produced type of coffee bean. These beans are less difficult to grow than Arabica beans because they are resilient and immune to most diseases. Robusta beans have twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans and do best in hot climates with sporadic rainfall. They have a smooth texture, a slightly chocolatey taste, and a harsh flavor, making them suitable for an energy boost.

Roasting Style

Robusta beans are often roasted in dark styles to bring out their bold and earthy flavors. Dark roasts produce a smoky taste with a slight hint of chocolate, while also reducing the acidity of the beans.

Drink of Choice

Robusta is a great option for espresso-based beverages, and are frequently combined with other beans to give the espresso shot more body and crema. Straight espresso shots and Americanos allow the bold flavors of the beans to come through, while the addition of milk and sugar can balance out the harshness of the coffee.

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Liberica Coffee Beans

Liberica beans make up only about 2% of the world's coffee beans, making them a rare treat. They are harder to find, bigger, and irregularly shaped. Liberica is frequently described as having a bold, smoky flavour profile and tasting sweet, fruity, and floral. The aroma is a blend of fruity, floral, and smoky notes. They are mostly produced in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Roasting Style

Liberica beans are typically roasted in medium to dark styles, which accentuate their smoky and bold flavors. Medium roasts bring out the fruitiness of the beans, while dark roasts produce a stronger and more robust flavor.

Drink of Choice

French press or drip coffee are excellent ways to use liberica beans because they bring out the complexity of the bean's flavour profile. Liberica beans are also a fantastic option for pour-over coffee because of their sweetness and fruity undertones.

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Excelsa Coffee Beans

Excelsa is a type of Liberica coffee and accounts for less than 1% of beans grown worldwide. It has a fruity, tart flavour and is frequently included in blends to increase complexity. Excelsa delivers a “hybrid” taste that naturally combines tarty flavors with woody and earthy ones. Excelsa coffee is grown primarily in Southeast Asia, making it a rare and unique treat for coffee lovers who want to explore new flavors.

Roasting Style

To preserve their distinctive flavour profile, Excelsa beans are typically roasted in medium styles.  A medium roast produces a well-rounded cup with a balance of tart and woody flavors.

Drink of Choice

Excelsa beans are great for pour-over and drip coffee methods, allowing the tarty and fruity notes of the beans to come through. Excelsa beans can also be blended with other beans to add complexity to espresso-based drinks.

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Our Take

When purchasing coffee, it's essential to consider the taste, aroma, coffee bean type, and roast levels. Coffee manufacturers often provide clear descriptions of a coffee or a blend's taste and aromas on the packaging. Grinding and roasting coffee beans at home is not difficult to do and allows more opportunity for experimenting with flavors and creating a blend to personal taste.

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