When people say “beans,” the first thought would probably be the stuff you see in chili con carne, or an animal’s paw pads (toe beans!). One specific kind of bean though, dare we say the MVP of all beans and society as a whole, are coffee beans. Bred and brewed for more than thousands of years, coffee beans have been around, probably keeping random herbivores and birds awake so that they don’t turn into somebody’s next meal.
While most people go about their day downing whatever cup of coffee the barista made, or in some cases, the sachet had, there’s much more to coffee than meets the eye. From all over the world, different beans are being harvested, each breed bringing their own unique contributions to the enjoyment of our favorite caffeinated beverage.
To get started, let’s talk about the two main breeds of beans that are commonly used for our drinks: Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica – The Real OG
The first beans, originally from Ethiopia, are Arabica beans. Known for their center creases and oval shapes, these beans are generally delicate and have a low caffeine content. There are multiple varieties of Arabica beans. These include the Typica and Bourbon groups, the Introgressed beans, which have genetic traits from other beans like Robusta, and the F1 Hybrids, which are the result of breeding two genetically different versions of Arabica.
Arabica beans produce a softer sweet flavor, with tones that can be fruity, floral, nutty, or chocolatey. They are, however, slightly more acidic.
Robusta – Stronger in Many Ways
A hardier type of bean, Robustas are easier to grow and maintain than their Arabica counterparts. Robusta beans started out in Central and West Africa before they made their own world tour. In addition to Robusta’s hardier plants being more resistant to leaf rust and being able to endure harsher environments, Robusta beans are also known for their higher caffeine content than their Arabica sisters.
In contrast to Arabica beans, Robusta beans have a stronger flavor, with tones of wood or burnt rubber. Given that they’re easier to grow, they’re more focused for mass production and for more affordable prices for lower end markets.
To get started on your own coffee beans, visit our online shop, and get your own Arabica beans from our selection of: Mexican La Laja Honey, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, or Colombian Supremo beans. Hopefully this introduction to the types of beans that we commonly use will give you a newfound appreciation for coffee.
