High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans possess a distinct flavor profile. Arabica is more susceptible to disease and pests than its low-elevation counterpart, Robusta.
The high-grown arabica variety is the one sought after by specialty roasters and premium coffee shops. What makes this coffee special? Scientists have uncovered the reason behind this: altitude.
High Altitudes
With a history that extends from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa, coffee has found its way into the hearts of many, forming an enormous portion of the world's production today. While low-elevation beans are commercially viable, and make up the instant coffee found in grocery stores, real coffee lovers prefer specialty arabica grown high altitudes for greater complexity in taste.
The mountainous regions of the world's foremost coffee producing countries--Central and South America, Southern Asia and a few Pacific Islands, and mid to southern Africa -- provide the ideal growth conditions for high-grown arabica coffee beans. These high-elevation climates are not frosty and provide a pleasantly warm climate with a perfect average annual temperature of 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allow for a longer maturation process. This allows the coffee beans to absorb a variety of flavors from their surroundings and give them unique characteristics. The longer maturation period also helps in preventing the coffee berry borer which is a small beetle which infests and consumes the beans and also the coffee leaf miner moth, which hinders photosynthesis and diminishes productivity.
The combination of these elements creates a more palatable flavor and taste profile when compared to lower-elevation coffees. Coffee grown at higher elevations has a heightened concentration of sweet flavors like citrus, fruit and vanilla as well as being more rich and smoother than their lower elevation counterparts. Roasters like this bean because of its sweetness, fullness of flavor and consistency.
High-grown arabica is usually referred to as strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) which means that the coffee is grown at a higher altitude than 4,000 feet. The beans are usually grown on volcanic soils and are shade-grown, or organically cultivated. This enhances their already amazing flavors. These beans are denser because they mature and grow slower than those grown at lower altitudes. This makes for more robust and consistent coffee. This distinctive quality makes SHG or SHB arabica the preferred choice for roasters that want to make a cup of coffee that is unique.
Cool Climate
The world's best coffee growing regions are located in the tropical zone that lies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This zone is referred to as the "coffee belt". These mountainous regions are ideal for the cultivation of high-quality arabica beans due to the cool climate.
Arabica plants can withstand an array of climate conditions. However, their best development occurs in subtropical areas with cool night temperatures and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate allows for the plant to create complex flavours that convey freedom. It's these flavors that make the coffee we enjoy so distinctive.
While the popularity of low-elevation instant espressos in your local grocery store is growing, coffee enthusiasts and experts agree that these types tend to be more bitter and less tasty compared to specialty coffee beans cultivated at higher altitudes. In reality the majority of coffee consumed in the world is high-elevation coffee.
The finest high-grown arabica coffee beans are usually grown at altitudes between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. The combination of high altitude, cool climate, and fertile soil is what makes these beans so distinctly delicious.
Coffee farmers are constantly seeking out the ideal soil conditions to cultivate high-quality arabica plants. The soil must be rich in humus and have a texture that drains well. This type of soil is perfect for arabica cultivation, since it aids in maintaining healthy roots and to minimize the risk of developing plant diseases.
In addition to having a soil with the right humus content, coffee farms prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These climate patterns permit plants to mature more slow, resulting in a more delicious and dense coffee bean.
Well-drained high-quality arabica coffee beans Coffeee to the low-elevation varieties that are cultivated for mass production and lined the aisles of supermarkets the high-quality arabica beans are sought-after by coffee lovers for their unique and exquisite flavor. The coffee trees grow sheltered under tall canopy trees and the nutrient-rich volcanic soil provides ideal growing conditions for these particular beans. The soil is able to allow the roots to absorb the nutrients they require, but it also drains quickly, preventing stagnant water puddles that restrict root growth and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot as well as shallow fibrous roots that spread outwards for 3 to 4 ft (0.9-1.2 meters). The cherries' flowers are small, fragrant and white. The drupes are double-seeded and mature when they are they are purple or red. The arabica plant is self-fertile and doesn't require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.
The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows down the growth cycle of the coffee plant which allows it to mature more slowly. This allows the beans to develop more intense flavors. This results in a more rich, more complex taste that is far more potent than lower-elevation coffees.
At these high altitudes, the temperature is cooler, and the air more humid. The cooler climate is perfect for the sensitive growth of the coffee plant and it helps suppress the spread pests and diseases that affect lower elevation plants.
Due to the particular climate and soil particulars, high-altitude farms produce more beans than those at lower elevations. You will find these superior coffee beans in specialty cafes and in the finest coffee roasters.
When you plant your own arabica plant, ensure that you pay attention to the specific requirements of this plant and select a mixture of soil that meets these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that could be too heavy in ingredients and do not allow the roots of your plant to thrive. Include compost or other organic matter to increase the retention of water, without creating a concrete-like surface. Water your plant when the soil dries out to the touch. Avoid excessive or under-watering which can lead to root the rot.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans make them extremely sought-after. They are more complex and nuanced in flavor than other coffees. They have notes of fruit, flowers, caramel and chocolate. The care taken in cultivation and roasting results in a smoother, sweeter taste. They also have less caffeine and acidity than other varieties, making them less bitter and more enjoyable to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in mountainous regions around the globe which are part of the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical band that extends 30 degrees north or south of the Equator. The most affluent beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic soils and other fertile soils which produce small fruit, also known as coffee cherries.
The cherries contain two seeds within them. When the seeds begin to mature, they are separated from their fleshy outer layer and then roasted to create coffee. Arabica beans are considered a premium coffee bean due to the fact that they are more expensive and have a richer flavor.
The high altitudes in which arabica beans are grown is one of the most important factors that influence their taste and quality. The cool climate, fertile volcanic soils, and the cooler climate makes arabica beans taste more delicious than beans grown at lower elevation. The higher altitudes influence the process of maturation of coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow the growth cycle of the beans, allowing them the chance to mature.
The various coffee-growing regions around the world each have distinctive flavors and characteristics. For example, arabica beans from Central America tend to have an even composition and a light body while those from Ethiopia and Kenya are known for their savory-sweet flavors. Each region or country has a distinct type of soil and that is why every coffee has its own distinct flavor. Some soils are rich in water and have a rich chocolaty taste. Others have a sand texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.