Many coffee drinkers often take the coffee beans they drink for granted. How familiar are you with Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta beans? Would you be able to distinguish between the four? Let’s help you out with that.
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans (Coffea arabica) were first discovered in the southwestern highland forest of Ethiopia; about 400,000 ha. of an ancient forest with underlying traces of coffee survives to this day. From Ethiopia it made its way to Yemen, and then to the Middle East and India via Persian invaders and 13th century Arab traders. European traders in subsequent centuries brought Arabica coffee seeds to parts of Asia, Africa, and South America.
Arabica trees need elevations of at least 200 MASL and cool temperatures averaging 15-24°C (59-75°F) to grow optimally. They usually grow up to heights of 5 meters, although farmers will grow them to 2-3 meters tall to make harvesting easier. They take up to 7 years to reach full maturation, producing beans with complex aroma and flavors that hint of sugar, caramel, or chocolate, as well as berry flavors.
Robusta
Just like Arabica, Robusta (Coffee canephora or Coffea robusta) originates from Central Africa and the sub-Saharan areas in Western Africa. The Robusta bean was only recognized and classified by agriculturists at the end of the 19th century. Robusta coffee is a hardy bean that can grow in the lowlands, is much more pest- and disease-resistant. Today its largest producers reside in Africa and southeast Asia; Vietnam is the world’s top Robusta producer today.
Robusta grows as small shrubs, though they can shoot up to 10 meters and will mature in cycles of 11 months. Most of the world’s production of Robusta today is geared toward the production of instant soluble coffee. Inferior quality roasts of Robusta can have a bitter, rubbery taste. Roasted correctly, it has smooth, mellow flowers with plenty of chocolate and a mild peanut aftertaste.
Liberica
Coffee liberica is the world’s rarest species of coffee, comprising only 1, maybe less than 2 percent, of all coffee produced around the whole world. It originates from western African countries like Liberia, Angola, and Uganda and other parts of Central Africa. It has become naturalized in southeast Asia countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where it is more actively cultivated than anywhere else in the world.
Liberica trees grow to much bigger sizes than Arabica, with average sizes of 9-20 meters, adding to the challenge of cultivating them. Liberica trees produce large coffee berries with floral and fruity aromas. However, when roasted, Liberica beans transform into coffee with deep, earthy, woodsy flavors, flavors that are also accentuated by the way you brew them.
Excelsa
Excelsa (Coffee Excelsa) was, until recently, its own coffee species. However, it has been recently reclassified as a sub-species of the Liberica bean. Agronomists have disputed this classification, although its trees and its beans resemble the Liberica plant.
It is actually rare to find any coffee specialty vendor offering single origin Excelsa. This coffee bean often makes its way as a part of a coffee blend, usually with Robusta and Arabica. Its flavors are tart and fruity, just like Liberica before its roasted.
When shopping for coffee, do ask your seller about what’s in their coffee blends. It might turn into a very informative conversation
