What are the main varieties of coffee? what are their advantages and disadvantages? what are the coffee cherries?

In the commercial coffee industry, there are two important varieties of coffee-Arabica and Robusta. In fact, there are three main types of coffee beans: Arabica beans, Robbota beans and Liberika beans. Although there is no clear name for "Arabica coffee", the discrimination of coffee species is the most basic way to distinguish coffee.

When it comes to coffee plants, you may be surprised by these figures. There are more than 6000 tropical trees and shrubs in the genus. Experts estimate that there are 25 to 100 species of coffee plants. The genus was first described in the 18th century by Swedish botanist Carolus Linneaus, who also described Arabica coffee in the 1753 Plant species. Since then, botanists have disagreed on the exact classification because of the wide range of coffee plants. They can range from small shrubs to tall trees, with leaves ranging in size from 1 to 16 inches and colors from purple or yellow to the main dark green.

Arabica coffee

Variety: bourbon, Iron pickup, Kaddura, Mondonovo, Tiko, San Ramon, Jamaica Blue Mountain

Arabica coffee comes from primitive coffee trees found in Ethiopia. These trees produce high-quality, mild, aromatic coffee, accounting for about 70% of the world's coffee production. Compared with robusta beans, coffee beans are flatter, slender and contain less caffeine.

Arabica coffee is the most expensive in the world market. The better Arabica coffee is high-growing coffee-usually growing between 2000 and 6000 feet (610 to 1830 meters) above sea level-although the best altitude varies due to its proximity to the equator.

The most important factor is that the temperature must be kept mild, preferably between 59 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with about 60 inches of rainfall a year. The trees are lush, but heavy frost will kill them. Arabica trees are expensive to grow because the ideal terrain is often steep and difficult to enter. In addition, because trees are more likely to get sick than Robusta trees, they need extra care and attention.

Robusta

Variety: Robusta

Most of the world's Robusta grows in Central and West Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as Brazil. Robusta's production is increasing, although it accounts for only about 30% of the world market. Robusta is mainly used to mix coffee and instant coffee. Robusta coffee beans themselves tend to be rounder and smaller than Arabica coffee beans.

Robusta trees are healthier and more resistant to diseases and parasites, which makes it easier and cheaper to grow. It also has the advantage of being able to withstand warmer climates, preferring constant temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows it to grow at a much lower altitude than Arabica coffee.

It needs about 60 inches of rainfall a year and cannot withstand frost. Compared with Arabica coffee beans, robusta coffee beans produce coffee with a unique flavor, with about 50-60% higher caffeine content.

Anatomical structure of Coffee Cherry

Coffee beans are actually processed and roasted fruit seeds, which are called coffee cherries. The exocarp of coffee fruit is called exocarp. Below it is the mesocarp, a thin layer of pulp, and then a sticky layer called parenchyma. The bean itself is called an endocarp covered by a paper envelope, often called parchment.

In the parchment, there are two beans side by side, each covered with a separate layer of film. The biological name of this seed coat is sperm, but it is often called silver skin in the coffee trade. In about 5% of the world's coffee, cherries have only one kind of coffee bean. This is called peaberry (or caracol, or "snail" in Spanish), and it is a natural mutation. Some people think that peas are actually sweeter and more delicious than standard beans, so they are sometimes hand-picked for special sale.