There are many varieties of coffee and they are grown in a number of locations around the world. The three most popular varieties of marketable coffee are arabica, robusta, and liberica. Arabica coffee comes from the Coffea arabica plant, robusta coffee is from the Coffea canephora plant and liberica coffee is from the Coffea liberica plant.
We’ve all been there, standing in line at our local café, with no idea what makes one cup of coffee different from another. This post provides all you need to know about arabica, robusta, and liberica coffee varieties so that you can pick or even brew your very own favorite morning pick-me-up.
What is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica coffee, the most common coffee variety, also goes by the name ‘Arabian coffee’. It is responsible for around 60% of the world’s coffee production.
Like all coffee varieties, the arabica coffee bean grows on a flowering tree.
Where Does Arabica Coffee Come From?
Arabia coffee is native to the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia, a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. However, it was first cultivated in Yemen as early as the 12th century. This country was formerly known as South Arabia and this is where the name comes from.
Today, pure arabica coffee plants are rare in Ethiopia and most of the coffee is a combination of native and introduced species.
Most arabica coffee is grown in Central and South America, Central Africa, China, South-East Asia, and some islands in the Pacific and Caribbean.
What Conditions does Arabica Coffee Need to Grow?
All coffee varieties need to grow in a temperate or tropical climate where there is plenty of sunshine and water, and no frost. The Arabica variety is no different.
This variety, however, is quite temperamental and it needs to be grown in moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. Having a shaded canopy is a great wait to increase its yield, as long as it still has access to the sun.
Coffee grows best in soils with disintegrated volcanic rock and they thrive when they are grown in high altitudes like mountain ranges and tall hills.
For these reasons, all coffee is grown within Earth’s equatorial zone which is between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
What are the Main Varieties of Arabica?
There are two main varieties, Typica and Bourbon.
The Typica is renowned for its outstanding quality and clean taste on the palate. One of the best-known varieties is the Blue Mountain from Jamaica.
The Bourbon excels with an exquisite aroma, versatile taste, and buttery chocolate flavor. One of the most popular varieties is the Mundo Novo from Brazil.
What are the Best-known Arabica Coffee Beans in the World?
Almost all gourmet and high-end coffee is a variety of arabica. Some of the best known are from Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemalan Antigua, Ethiopia, and include Jamaican Blue Mountain, Colombian Supremo, and Tarrazu.
What is Robusta Coffee?
The robusta coffee plant accounts for around 40% of global coffee production, making it the second most popular variety after arabica.
Although it goes by the name Coffea robusta, the correct name for the species is Coffea canephora. Its two main varieties are robusta and nganda.
Generally, it has a greater yield than arabica and more caffeine as well, at 2.7% compared to arabica’s 1.5%. Being less susceptible to pests and disease, robusta plants need fewer herbicides and pesticides.
Where does Robusta Coffee Come From?
Robusta coffee was first grown in central and western sub-Saharan Africa and it is native to western and central Africa, including Liberia, Tanzania, and Angola.
You can also find wild populations in Borneo, French Polynesia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the Lesser Antilles.
Today, this coffee is cultivated mostly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.
What Conditions does Robusta Coffee Need to Grow?
Like all coffee varieties, robusta needs temperate and tropical climates with plenty of sun and moisture.
Unlike arabica coffee, however, it thrives at lower altitudes where the weather is consistently between 75-86o Fahrenheit (24-30o Celsius).
Today, about 40% of the world’s robusta coffee is grown in Vietnam, making it the largest exporter. It is also widely grown in India, Indonesia, Uganda, and Brazil.
Robusta is easier to grow than arabica and produces a higher yield.
How is Robusta Different from Arabica?
Robusta beans produce strong coffee with a distinctive earthy flavor. Due to its pyrazine content, it tends to be more bitter than arabica, which is known for its smooth taste, high acidity, and richer flavor with hints of berries, chocolate, and sugar.
Thanks to their bitterness and harsh flavor, robusta beans are popular for espresso blends, especially those that are classically Italian.
What is Liberica Coffee?
Liberica coffee beans account for less than 1.5% of the world’s commercially-produced coffee. Although rare, liberica coffee is well worth the effort and expense.
Liberica coffee beans are unique in that they are asymmetrical, with one side shorter than the other and a characteristic ‘hook’ at the end.
The bean is grown on some of the tallest coffee trees in the world, topping out at 65.5 feet (20 meters) in height. The beans are cultivated using ladders.
However, because of their very low rates of cultivation, liberica plants are considered endangered.
Where Does Liberica Coffee Come From?
The species is native to western and central Africa including Liberia, Uganda, and Angola. However, it was first commercially cultivated in Indonesia and the Philippines, thanks to Spanish friars who bought samples to the city of Lipa in the 1740s.
What Conditions does Liberica Coffee Need to Grow?
Compared to both arabica and robusta varieties, it is hardier and more adaptable. It thrives in hot climates and can be grown in low altitudes. Most importantly, it is very resistant to pests and diseases.
What Makes Liberica coffee so special?
Liberica beans are much larger than both arabica and robusta varieties but their coffee concentration is lower, at 1.23 grams /100 grams, compared to 1.61 for arabica and 2.26 for robusta.
The beans have a floral and fruity aroma and the coffee has a woody, full-bodied flavor.
Thanks to their rarity and lack of supply, liberica beans are hard to get and comparatively expensive.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
