High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans have a distinct flavor profile. Arabica is more susceptible to disease and pests than its low-elevation counterpart, Robusta.
The Arabicica variety with the highest quality is the one sought-after by specialty roasters and high-end coffee shops. But what makes this type of coffee so popular? Scientists have discovered the reason behind this: altitude.
High Altitudes
With a rich history that spans from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa the coffee has made its way into the hearts of many, forming an enormous portion of the world's coffee production. While low-elevation beans can be sold commercially, and make up the instant coffee you can find in your local grocery stores, real coffee aficionados prefer specialty arabicas that are grown at in higher altitudes for greater complexity in taste.
The mountainous regions of the world's top coffee producing countries--Central and South America, Southern Asia and a few Pacific Islands, and mid to southern Africa--provide ideal growing conditions for the production of high-quality arabica beans. The high-elevation climate conditions are frost-free and provide a mild climate with an average annual temperature ranging from 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allow it to mature slower. This allows the coffee beans to absorb different flavors from their environment and impart them with distinctive characteristics. The prolonged maturation helps stop the coffee bean borer which is a tiny beetle that feeds on the beans. It also helps to keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth which hinders photosynthesis and can reduce productivity.
The combination of these elements makes for a better flavor and taste profile when in comparison to lower elevation coffees. The higher elevation coffees have more sweet flavors such as citrus, fruit and vanilla. It is also richer and smoother than coffee grown lower down. The bean's consistency, sweetness and richness of flavor make it the most popular bean for roasters looking to make a high-quality cup of coffee.
High-grown arabica is commonly referred to as strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) meaning that the coffee is located at an elevation higher than 4000 feet. Typically the beans are cultivated on volcanic soil and are organically grown or shade-grown and have amazing flavor profiles. They are more dense due to their maturation and growth slower than those grown at lower altitudes. This makes for an even stronger and consistent coffee. This distinctive quality makes SHG or SHB arabica a great choice for roasters that want to make the perfect cup of coffee. is unique.
Cool Climate
The tropical zone that spans the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn known as the coffee belt is the most prestigious of coffee growing regions. These mountainous regions are ideal for cultivating high-quality arabica beans due to the cool climate.
Arabica plants can tolerate the most diverse climate conditions. However, their greatest development occurs in subtropical areas with cool nights and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate enables the plant to create complex flavors that express the freedom of. It's these flavors that make the coffee we drink so distinctive.
While the popularity of low-elevation instant espressos at your local grocery store is growing, coffee lovers and experts agree that these varieties tend to be bitter and less tasty compared to specialty coffee beans grown at higher elevations. In reality the majority of the coffee consumed around the world is high-elevation.
The best high grown arabica coffee beans are generally grown at altitudes between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. They are delicious due to the combination of high elevation with cool climate and fertile soil.
Coffee farmers are constantly looking for the ideal soil conditions for growing high-quality arabica plants. Ideally, the soil should have a high humus content with a well-draining texture. This type of soil is ideal for the cultivation of arabica since it encourages the development of healthy roots as well as helps to reduce the incidence of the incidence of plant diseases.
In addition to a soil that has the right humus content, coffee farms prefer a cool climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions allow the plants to mature more slowly, which results in the production of a more dense and delicious coffee bean.
Well-Drained Soil
The arabica beans that are grown to the highest quality have a rich and sophisticated flavor, in contrast to the low-elevation species grown for mass production. The coffee trees are protected by tall canopy trees, and the volcanic soil is abundant in nutrients. This creates ideal conditions for the cultivation of these particular beans. The soil allows the roots to absorb what they need however, it also drains quickly to avoid stagnant puddles of water that limit the growth of the roots and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot and shallow fibrous roots that spread outwards for 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m). The flowers are small, white and fragrant and are known as cherries. These drupes have two seeds inside, and are ripe when either purple or red. The arabica plant is self-fertile and does not require cross pollination to set fruit.
The cooler climate at higher elevations slows the growth rate of the coffee plant, allowing it to mature more slowly. This allows the beans to develop deeper flavors. This results in a coffee that is richer and more complex, and has a stronger taste than coffees produced at lower altitudes.
At these higher altitudes, the temperatures are more frigid, and the air is more humid. The cooler climate is perfect for the sensitive growth of the coffee plant, and helps to ward off the spread of diseases and pests that plague lower-elevation plants.
Due to the particular climate and soil characteristics, high-altitude farms are able to produce more beans than farms that are located at lower altitudes. This is why you'll often find these premium beans in specialty cafes and top coffee roasters.
If you are planning to grow your own Arabica plant, make sure you be aware of the particular requirements of the plant and choose a mix of soil that meets the requirements. Avoid commercial mixes that may be too heavy in the ingredients and do not allow the roots of your plant to grow. Compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil in order to improve water retention, without creating a cement-like texture. Water your plant once the soil is dry to the touch, avoiding excessive or inadequate watering, which can lead to root the rot.
Unique Flavors
The unique flavor profile of arabica beans make them extremely sought-after. They are more affluent and nuanced than other coffee types with notes of chocolate, caramel, fruit, and flowers. The attention to detail that is taken during the cultivation and roasting process results in a smoother, sweeter flavor. They are also less acidic and have less caffeine than other varieties. They are, therefore, less bitter and are easier for you to drink.
Arabica beans grow in the world's mountainous regions that are part of the Coffee Belt, a tropical band that extends across 30 degrees north and south of the Equator. This is where the highest-quality beans are grown. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic and other rich soils, and produce small fruit that are referred to as coffee cherries.
These cherries contain two seeds. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer as they mature and are then roasted and ground to create the coffee. Arabica coffee beans are a premium variety because they tend to be more expensive than other varieties of bean, and they possess a distinct flavor.
The high altitudes at which arabica beans are grown is one of the main factors that influence the taste and quality of these beans. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than beans grown at lower elevations. Higher elevations have a positive impact on the maturation process of coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow down the growth cycle of the beans, giving them time to mature.
Each region has its own distinctive flavors and characteristics. The arabica beans from Central America are known to possess a balanced blend with a light body. Those from Ethiopia and Kenya on the other hand, are known for their sweet-savory taste. These unique flavor profiles are due to the fact that each region and country has its own distinct soil type. Certain soils are rich in water and produce a full chocolaty taste. wild harvested arabica coffee beans have a sand-like texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.