To understand and make sense of the flavors we enjoy and share such wonderful times with, it's important to discover and understand where the main coffee varieties come from, their place of origin, and how it has contributed to the history of this beverage we love so much. Let's start by clarifying that the exact origin of coffee is not entirely clear, but the most knowledgeable historians on the subject place it in Abyssinia, what is now known as Ethiopia, located in eastern Africa. Since ancient times, African tribes have used coffee beans as an energizer; they ground them and prepared a paste to feed their animals and give strength to their warriors. It is also said that coffee began its journey on the journeys of pilgrims to Mecca, eventually reaching Arabia, where it became popular and was first marketed.
Coffee varieties
Coffee belongs to a botanical family comprising more than 500 different genera and around 6,000 species. Coffee is the most important species in this family in terms of economics and production. Within coffee, there are around 25 species variations, but today we'll talk about the oldest.
Arabica coffee variety
This is the most cultivated species in the world, It is native to Ethiopia and has been cultivated for around 2,000 years, making it the oldest variety in the world. However, its problem throughout history has been its susceptibility to pests such as rust. Within Arabica coffee, there are two very important varieties: Typia and Bourbon. The former began its journey around the world thanks to the Dutch, while the latter was initially transported through French lands.
This coffee variety is grown in tropical areas at altitudes of 500 to 2,000 meters above sea level, depending on the specific Arabica variety. This variety is cultivated throughout Latin America, East and Central Africa, India, and Indonesia.
LibΓ©rica coffee variety
This variety originates from Liberia, on the west coast of Africa. It is considered a low-quality coffee and is distributed mainly in African and Scandinavian regions. Its quality is due to the height of its trees, which causes the harvest to occur when the fruit falls to the ground when already overripe. These defects are masked by roasting the beans at a high temperature, resulting in a very bitter drink.
Among the varieties derived from LibΓ©rica coffee, there is a variety called Barako, grown in the Philippines, and its even more bitter flavor is accompanied by a spicy aroma similar to that of anise.
Excelsa coffee variety
This variety was discovered in Chad in 1905 and is cultivated throughout much of Southeast Asia. This variety was once considered unique but is now associated with the Liberica coffee variety. This variety is also considered low-quality, with tall trees and its beans picked from the ground, resulting in a beverage of very average quality. What differentiates these varieties is their flowers and the smaller size of the Excelsa beans. This variety does have a strong advantage over other varieties, which is why it is used scientifically to improve other varieties.
Robusta coffee variety
Robusta coffee is the second most cultivated variety in the world, Its origin is also African, but in this case on the western side of the continent. Currently, it is cultivated in regions such as Southeast Asia, primarily in Vietnam, the coffee-producing country in the region. On this side of the planet, Brazil is the largest producer of this variety.
This variety is grown at altitudes ranging from 0 to 700 meters above sea level. It comes from a small tree, but it is highly resistant to coffee pests and drought, making it easier and more profitable for producers. Its main destination is instant coffee. It is a coffee with a higher concentration of caffeine per bean and a higher yield.
Although its quality is below that of Arabica beans, Robusta coffee has begun to gain ground in high-quality markets thanks to the experimentation of some producers focused on improving their beans through more controlled washing and fermentation processes. This is being achieved primarily with a sub-variety known as ConilΓ³n.
It's clear that there are significant differences between varieties, and the main difference is their quality. But the world of coffee is so beautiful that it will always find ways to continue improving and putting the different varieties to good use. Furthermore, the mystique and distinct flavors that its origins add to our cup will always be an added attraction to toasting with a cup of coffee.