Coffee Beans 101
For a tree that is grown in over seventy countries around the world, from Indonesia to Brazil, it's odd how strict and sensitive the growing conditions need to be in order to produce top quality coffee beans and how very small the total output of the coffee bean actually is.
Coffee beans generally fall into three main types, Kona, Arabica and Robusta. But, it's important to keep in mind that there are variations and different blends and flavors of coffee. Finding your flavor is important as the decision of the best coffee is purely based on individual preference and taste. While some enjoy the strongest and heartiest coffee, others may prefer a cup of coffee that is lighter and milder.
Kona Coffee Bean
Kona coffee beans are grown in Hawaii and are one of the finest gourmet beans and therefore costly. Kona coffee beans offer a hardy bite and body and a very powerful aroma. Because Kona coffee beans are so wonderful on their own they are rarely used in blends as other coffee beans are.
Arabica Coffee Bean
The Arabica coffee bean is quite popular and accounts for 60% of worldwide coffee production. The Arabica coffee plant is vulnerable to frost, disease and pests and so the beans are expensive. While Arabica is used in its pure form, it is often used for blends with Robusta.
The Arabica bean's delicate flavor offers a nice body to coffee when used in blends. It is important to note that Arabica beans vary region to region
of growth by flavor and aroma. The Indonesian Arabica beans produce the richest, most full-bodied flavored coffee. Arabica beans are also grown in Central and south America and offer a moderate body of flavor and aroma. Most breakfast blends, such as Folgers are made with Arabica beans. Robusta Coffee Bean
The Robusta coffee bean is not as popular as Arabica and differs from it because Robusta is easier to grow and much more resistant to disease and weather so it costs less.
In coffee blends, Robusta is used to give a nice kick to coffee and while it may cost less the Robusta bean has a lot to offer, like its ability to bring out the best in other beans in a blend. The Robusta bean's flavor also differs region to region, the most flavorful of those coming from Kenya and Tanzania.