The Coffee Bean: Four Major Varieties

How many of you pay any attention to the type of coffee bean used to make your coffee? Were you even aware that there were different types? We don’t mean that to sound insulting; you might be surprised how many shoppers have no idea that there are twenty-eight variations to the coffee bean.

We are going to break it all down for you in this article by Madres Espresso, serving the Greater Olympia area with our flagship coffee stand on Cooper Point Road and our newest coffee stand on Pacific Avenue. Stop by and see us the next time you want to experience outstanding customer service.

Four major types of coffee bean

The four major coffee beans are:

·         Robusta

·         Arabica

·         Liberica

·         Excelsa

Let’s delve into these beans a bit more.

Robusta beans are grown primarily in Africa and Indonesia, and it is the second most popular coffee bean in the world.  Most people say it has a much harsher taste than the other varieties, more bitter. The plant grows much larger than any of the others and is more resistant to disease than the  others.

Arabica is the #1 seller in the world, the Big Dog of Coffee, comprising almost 70% of the coffee beans sold in the world. It originated in Ethiopia many centuries ago.  The problem with this plant is that it is susceptible to disease and must be grown in a very specific area of the world, above 2,000 feet, only in the coffee belt region. Because it is hard to grow, specialized by its nature, it is more expensive.

Liberica makes up about 2% of the coffee bean yield in the world, grown mostly in western and central Africa, although it has gained a strong foothold in Malaysia as well.  It is popular for its floral aroma and smoky flavor, and it is often mixed with other beans to give them a more mellow taste.

Excelsa beans are grown almost entirely in Southeast Asia, and most experts consider them to be a variant of the Liberica species.  Fruity and tart in taste, they are often mixed with other beans to add complexity.

We could tell you more about the other twenty-four varieties, but chances are, if you are drinking coffee today in the United States, you are drinking coffee made from one of these four varieties.

A final word about Madres Espresso

Madres Espresso is locally owned and operated.  One owner, Amanda, and thirteen baristas, all with one aim: to provide the absolute best customer service possible for our customers.