In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Daniel Lopez from Frothy Monkey. To talk about the two main coffee species and a third one that is showing great promise. They discuss the differences between the three. Including, how they grow, what they taste like, and how they are used.
Daniel explains how coffee is tasted and graded. They also walk through why it is hard for farmers to switch from growing Robusta to producing specialty arabica coffees. As well as talk about how the industry is working to change the taste profile of Robusta and starting to experiment with the promising Stenophylla variety.
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

There are different species of coffee plant. Within each species, there are many varieties.
We drink mostly Arabica and Robusta, but there is a new species that is generating interest.
Coffee is tasted and tested at several stages, which results in a cupping (quality) score.
Coffea Canephora, also known as Robusta, is used for a lot of instants and first wave coffees.
Arabica is harder to grow than Robusta.
Robusta has double the caffeine levels of Arabica. But the taste is nowhere near as rich or appealing.
Robusta can be grown better and is likely to become more widely used by fresh coffee makers.
Persuading farmers to switch to Arabica is not easy. Why, is explained in the podcast.
Stenophylla is a promising species. It has good taste, is drought-resistant, and is easier to grow.

 
BEST MOMENTS
‘There are currently 131 species in the coffea genus. But Arabica and Robusta are what we mainly drink. ´
‘Arabica producers are going for higher quality and higher trade costs.’
‘Robusta can likely be good...when grown in the right temperatures by the right producers.’
’Stenophylla can taste just as good as Arabica.’
 
EPISODE RESOURCES
Frothy Monkey - https://frothymonkey.com/
VALUABLE RESOURCESAward-winning single-origin specialty coffee: https://umblecoffee.com/
You’re disciplined and high achieving. You never settle. Shouldn’t the fuel that helps you reach your goals be held to those same standards? Instead of a crash-inducing cup of jo, you need coffee with optimal antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. A coffee so good that you can drink it black.
At Umble Coffee, we only roast specialty-grade arabica coffee from around the world with cupping scores 84 and above. Don’t sabotage yourself in pursuing your goals - drink coffee that tastes better and is better for you. No crash, great taste, and better long-term health benefits. That’s Umble Coffee. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umblecoffee/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/umblecoffee/Twitter:  https://mobile.twitter.com/umblecoffee
 
ABOUT THE HOST
As a coffee lover, physician, chemical engineer, serial entrepreneur, competitive runner, writer, and family man, Kenneth knows what it’s like to push yourself to achieve goals very few accomplish. He’s one of the best specialty coffee roasters in the United States as he’s a multi-year US Coffee Roasters’ Competition Finalist. He created Umble Coffee Co with the belief that, if sourced and roasted right, coffee can taste phenomenal and be good for you.
“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee.”
CONTACT METHODWant to reach Kenneth? Have questions, show ideas, or want to just let us know you’re enjoying the show? The best way is to leave us a great review and put your thoughts in the comment section - Kenneth reads all of them! The second-best way is through DM on social media.
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Podcast DescriptionCoffee 101 is an educational show on all things coffee. The host, Kenneth Thomas, starts with the most ba