Arabica is the main type of coffee, followed by Robusta and Excelsa. All four have very different tastes.
Arabica
Arabica is the best-known and most widely produced coffee bean. It’s also considered to be of higher quality. Over 60% of coffee beans produced in the world are Arabica.
The beans must be grown in an area with a lot of shade and constant rainfall.
One of the main reasons this coffee variety is so popular is that the trees grow easily, are small and easy to trim. They are fragile and susceptible to their surroundings. Arabica coffee is full of aroma and flavour.
Robusta
Robusta is the next most popular variety.
The Robusta bean, as its name suggests, is hardy. It is immune to many diseases.
The coffee beans that grow on the Robusta plant are best suited to a warm climate and irregular rain. They can also be grown at different altitudes. Robusta beans have twice as much caffeine per bean as Arabica, making them a great choice if you want a boost. They also taste more bitter.
They have a very smooth texture, and are often described as having a hint of chocolate. This makes them perfect for iced coffees or milk with sugar. If you fancy a coffee, head to an Exeter Cafe like https://fresha.org/exeter-cafe
Liberica
Liberica beans are one of the most difficult to find. The Liberica bean is larger and has an irregular shape.
Liberica beans have a unique aroma. Some say they smell fruity, floral and smoky.
Excelsa
The Excelsa coffee bean has a very different taste from the Liberica bean, despite being classified recently as part of that family.
It is mainly found in South East Asia and accounts for around 7% of all coffees produced worldwide.