Coffee is way more than just a beverage. For some, it’s a way to bond with loved ones; for others, it’s the boost that starts the day. Whenever I step into a café, my mood lifts. I adore the aroma, the sound of the coffee grinder, and the hiss of steaming milk. I just love being there.
So, in this article, I will discuss about the type of coffee beans and the kind of coffee beans you should choose for your cafe or for personal use. Although there are 100s of coffee varieties available in nature but primarily there are only 4 types of coffee beans we use for consumption.
- Arabica
- Robusta
- Liberica
- Excelsa
Now, let’s discuss each one in detail
Arabica
Arabica is the most consumed coffee bean in the world. The bean is known for its smooth, complex flavour, often with sweet, fruity, and floral notes. They have higher acidity and lighter body as compared to other beans
Arabica coffee bean is grown in high-altitude regions, primarily grown in Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia.
Arabica is most popular coffee bean making about 60-70% of world’s coffee production, and is often considered superior due to its aromatic qualities.
Himalaya Vats
Arabica plants are more susceptible to pests and diseases, thus making them more difficult to cultivate.
It is also the most premium and expensive coffee bean, as it is difficult to cultivate and have lower yield capacity as compared to other species.
Robusta
Robusta coffee beans are known for their strong, bold flavour with a distinct earthy and bitter taste. They have higher caffeine content, making them bitter and lower acidity levels than Arabica.
Robusta beans make up about 30-40% of global coffee production. They are often used in espresso blends for their rich crema and in instant coffee due to their strong flavour and higher caffeine content.
They are grown in lower altitude areas and plants are more resistant to diseases and pests and have more yield capacity making them more economical to grow.
Liberica
Liberica coffee beans have a unique taste profile that is often described as woody and smokey flavours. These beans are primarily grown in the Philippines and Malaysia. Liberica plants are taller and more robust, able to withstand hot, humid climates.
It is less popular than Arabica and Robusta coffee beans making it a small percentage of the world’s coffee bean production.
Excelsa
Excelsa beans offer a unique taste that combines tart, fruity, and dark, roasty notes. Excelsa beans are primarily grown in Southeast Asia. They thrive in similar conditions to Liberica, favouring hot, humid environments.
Excelsa beans make up a very small fraction of the world’s coffee production. They are often used in blends to enhance the overall flavour profile.
Excelsa beans are known for their ability to retain their distinctive taste even after roasting, making them a favourite among coffee enthusiasts looking for something different.
Coffee blends
When one type of coffee bean is blended with another, it is known as a coffee blend. Due to this blend, coffee drinks get distinct flavours came from other varieties. Often, Arabica coffee beans are blended with Robusta beans to balance the smoothness with the bold flavours of Robusta. The blends can be in different ratios for example.
- 50/50 blend (50% Arabica & 50% Robusta)
- 70/30 blend (70% Arabica & 30% Robusta) and so on…
You can experiment with the blends by yourself to make a flavour you like yourself.
To learn more about the coffee beans and coffee standards checkout this research paper by international coffee organization.
Himalaya Vats
Which one should you choose for your cafe?
Your choice will depend upon factors like
- Taste profile you want
- Cost
Based on the information mentioned above, you can make your own taste profile and serve it to the customers. If you want to serve the coffee at a premium, you can go for 100% Arabica coffee beans.
Your choice of coffee beans will largely be influenced by the budget you have for coffee beans. The point is simple, If you are a premium cafe, you can charge your customers a premium and cover those costs. But if you want to keep your coffee in a budget segment, you will have to accordingly select the kind of coffee beans you choose to maintain healthy profit margins.
Where to buy the best coffee beans for a cafe?
You can buy the best quality coffee beans for your cafe from the Restolane website, currently, we have three variants available
- 100 % Arabica
- 50/50 Blend (Arabica and Robusta)
- 80/20 Blend (Arabica and Robusta)
We believe that your cafe customers deserve the best quality coffee.
