High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans have distinct flavors. In contrast to their low-elevation counterpart Robusta, which has a greater resistance to diseases and pests, Arabica is more susceptible.
The Arabicica variety with the highest quality is the one most sought after by specialty roasters and high-end coffee shops. What is it that makes this kind of coffee so desirable? Scientists have identified the reason the reason is altitude.
High Altitudes
With a long history that stretches from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa the coffee has made its way into the hearts of many, making up the majority of global production today. While low-elevation beans can be sold commercially, and make up the instant coffee found in grocery stores, real coffee aficionados prefer specialty arabicas that are grown at higher altitudes to enjoy greater complexity in taste.
The mountains of the world's top coffee producing countries--Central and South America, Southern Asia and some 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 the climate with a moderate climate, with an average annual temperature ranging from 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures delay the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allow for a longer maturation process. This allows the coffee beans to absorb various flavors from their surrounding environment and give them unique characteristics. The extended maturation helps to prevent the coffee bean borer, which is a small beetle that infests and eats the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth which hinders photosynthesis and can reduce productivity.
Combining these elements creates an enhanced flavor profile and taste compared to coffees that are grown at lower elevations. Coffee that is grown at higher altitudes has a heightened concentration of sweet flavors, such as citrus, vanilla and fruit and is also richer and smoother than their lower elevation counterparts. Roasters love this coffee because of its sweetness, richness of flavor and consistency.
High-grown arabica is often called strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB), meaning that the coffee is located at an elevation higher than 4,000 feet. The beans are typically grown on volcanic soils, and they are shade-grown or organically cultivated. This enhances their already delicious flavors. Because they mature and grow slower than those grown at lower elevations and are therefore heavier, resulting in a stronger coffee with a more distinct and consistent flavor. This distinctive characteristic makes SHG and SHB arabica the preferred type of coffee for roasters looking to make a great cup.
Cool Climate
The tropical zone that stretches across the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn known as the coffee belt is home to the world's premier coffee-growing regions. High grown arabica coffee beans are grown in these mountains where the low altitudes and cool climate create the ideal conditions for the plant to flourish.
Arabica plants are tolerant of a variety of climate conditions however their best development occurs in subtropical regions with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate permits the plant to develop unique flavors that communicate the freedom. It's these flavors that make the coffee we love so special.
While the low-elevation coffees that line the instant coffee aisle of your local grocery store can grow quickly, aficionados and experts alike recognize that these varieties are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans grown at higher elevations. In fact the majority of coffee consumed in the world is high-elevation.
The highest quality high-grown arabica coffee beans are usually located between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. www.coffeee.uk of high altitude, cool climate and fertile soil is what makes these beans unique and delicious.
Coffee farmers are always on the lookout to find the perfect soil conditions to cultivate high-quality arabica plants. The soil must be humus-rich and have a texture that drains well. This type of soil is ideal for arabica cultivation, since it encourages healthy roots and helps to minimize plant diseases.
In addition to a soil that has the right humus content, coffee farms also prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions allow the plants to grow more slowly and produce the production of a more dense and delicious 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 shaded by tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is abundant in nutrients. This provides the ideal conditions for the cultivation of these unique beans. The soil allows the roots to absorb the nutrients they require however, it also drains quickly, preventing stagnant water puddles that restrict the growth of the roots and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot and thin fibrous roots that stretch outwards for 3 to 4 ft (0.9-1.2 m). The flowers are tiny, white and sweet and are often referred to as cherries. They are two-seeded and ripe when they turn red or purple. The arabica plant can self-fertilize and doesn't require cross pollination to produce fruit.
The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows the coffee plant's growth cycle, which allows the beans to mature more slowly and develop deeper flavors. This results in a more rich, more complex taste that is more potent than lower-elevation coffees.
At these higher altitudes, the temperatures are colder, and the atmosphere more humid. The cooler climate is ideal for sensitive growth of the coffee plant and helps to ward off the spread of pests and diseases that attack lower elevation plants.
Because of the unique soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude coffee farms can produce much more beans than low-elevation farms. This is the reason you'll often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes as well as premium coffee roasters.
When you plant your own arabica plant, ensure that you pay attention to the specific requirements of this plant and use a mix of soil that matches these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that contain excessive ingredients that could hinder the roots of your plant from developing. Compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil to increase water retention, but without creating a cement-like surface. Water your plant only when the soil is dry to the feel. Avoid excessive or submerging which could cause root rot.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans makes them sought-after. They are more rich and complex in flavor than other coffees, with notes of flowers, fruit caramel, chocolate and. The careful cultivation and roasting beans result in the smoother and sweeter flavor. They also have less caffeine and acidity than other varieties, making them less bitter and easy to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in mountains around the globe that are part of the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical band that extends 30 degrees to the north or south of the Equator. This is where the finest quality beans are produced. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils. They produce small fruit that are known as coffee cherries.
These cherries contain two seeds inside. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer when they begin to ripen, and then are crushed and roasted to make a cup of coffee. Arabica coffee beans are a premium variety because they tend to be more expensive than other varieties of beans and also possess a distinct flavor.
The high altitudes at which arabica beans are grown is one of the most important factors that influence their taste and quality. The cool climate and fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than those that are grown at lower altitudes. The higher altitudes have a positive impact on the maturation process of the coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow down the growth cycle of the beans, allowing them the chance to mature.
Each region has its own distinct 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 contrary, are noted for their sweet and savory flavor. The distinctive flavor profiles are due to the fact that each region and country has its own unique soil type. Some soils are rich in water and give a rich, chocolatey taste. Others have a sand texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.