It is unlikely to find a more popular and beloved drink than coffee. The beginning of coffee's history is lost in the depths of time, but one legend states that coffee was first discovered by a Yemeni sheikh researching medicinal plants. There are about 2-3 thousand varieties of coffee, most of which grow in tropical Ethiopia — the birthplace of the invigorating beverage. There are also more than 60 species of coffee trees, with only 10 being cultivated for consumption, yet nearly all production comes from the fruits of 5 species.
The main types of coffee:
Arabica (Arabian coffee) — has a mild taste and aroma, accounting for 61% of bean production.
Robusta (Congolese coffee) — contains more caffeine than Arabica, characterized by a bitter taste and rich aroma, occupying about 38% of world production.
Liberica — has the most exquisite and rich aroma and a bitter taste, so it is often added to blends to enhance the fragrance.
Excelsa — a variety of Liberica, often mistaken for a separate species due to its distinctive resilience, mainly used for cultivating new plant varieties.
Stenophylla — has the most pleasant taste, but is not profitable for cultivation.
Masters of the coffee craft constantly seek new flavor combinations, but how do you choose good coffee among such variety? If you are looking for quality coffee for home or office, you can buy a blend of Arabica and Robusta — you won't go wrong. It's also worth trying single-origin varieties and blends of Arabica and Robusta, as exploring the world of coffee is so interesting!
Coffee can be roasted to different degrees, which significantly affects the flavor of the finished drink. When roasting coffee beans, essential oils are released, which contribute to the richness of aroma and bitterness, so the lighter the roast, the milder the drink will be.