High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans possess a distinct flavor profile. Arabica is more prone to disease and pests than its low-elevation cousin, Robusta.

High-grown arabica is the sought-after variety in high-end coffee shops and specialty roasters. But what makes this type of coffee so sought-after? Scientists have found the reason that is altitude.

High Altitudes

Coffee has a long tradition that spans from Ethiopia to Yemen and even lower Africa. It is now a significant part of the production world. While low-elevation beans are commercially viable and comprise the instant coffee you can find in your local supermarkets, true coffee enthusiasts prefer specialty arabica grown higher altitudes to enjoy a more complex taste profile.

The mountainous regions of the world's leading coffee producing countries, including Central and South America, Southern Asia, some Pacific Islands and mid-to-southern Africa provide the ideal conditions for the cultivation of high-quality arabica coffee beans direct from the source beans. These high-elevation climates are frost free and provide a pleasantly warm climate with a perfect average annual temperature of 64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cool mountain temperatures delay the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allows for a more prolonged maturation process. The coffee beans are able to absorb flavors from the environment, giving them an unique flavor. The prolonged maturation helps stop the coffee bean borer which is a small beetle that feeds on the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth, that inhibits photosynthesis, and can reduce productivity.

The combination of these elements contributes to a superior flavor and aroma profile compared to lower-elevation coffees. The higher elevation coffees have more sweet flavors like citrus, fruit and vanilla. It's also more astringent and smoother than coffee that is grown lower down. Roasters love this coffee because of its sweetness, fullness of flavor and consistency.

High-grown arabica is often called strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB), meaning that the coffee is grown at an altitude higher than 4000 feet. Typically the beans are grown on volcanic soils and are shade-grown or organically cultivated which adds to their already amazing flavor profiles. Because these beans mature and grow slower than low-elevation beans, they tend to be denser, resulting in a stronger coffee with a more pronounced and consistent flavor. This distinctive quality makes SHG and SHB arabica the most popular type of coffee for roasters who want to create a unique cup.

Cool Climate

The best tasting arabica coffee beans coffee-growing regions are located in the tropical zone between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This zone is known as the "coffee belt". High-quality arabica coffee beans are produced in these mountainous regions where the cooler climate and high altitudes provide the ideal conditions for the plant to flourish.

Arabica plants can tolerate a wide range of climate conditions. However, their best growth is seen in subtropical regions with cool evenings and warm temperatures during the daytime. This unique climate permits the plant to develop unique flavors that convey the freedom. These flavors are what make coffee so unique.

While the low-elevation varieties of coffee that line the instant coffee aisle of your local grocery store can grow quickly, aficionados and experts alike know that these types are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans grown at higher elevations. The majority of the coffee consumed around the world is high altitude coffee.

The finest gourmet arabica coffee beans coffee beans are said to be cultivated between 3000 and 6,500 feet above sea level. These beans are so delicious due to the combination of high elevation with cool climate and fertile soil.

Coffee farmers are always on the lookout to find the perfect soil conditions to cultivate high-quality arabica plants. The ideal soil will be rich in humus with a well-draining texture. This type of soil is ideal for cultivating arabica as it facilitates the development of healthy roots as well as helps reduce the risk of the risk of plant diseases.

Coffee farms prefer an environment that is cool and has a distinct dry time. These conditions allow the plants to mature slow, resulting in a more flavorful and dense coffee bean.

Well-Drained Soil

Unlike the low-elevation species that are cultivated for mass production and lining the aisles of grocery stores, the high grown arabica coffee beans are coveted by aficionados due to their rich and exquisite flavor. The coffee trees are sheltered by tall canopy trees, and the volcanic soil is abundant in nutrients. This creates ideal conditions for the cultivation of these unique beans. The soil is high in nutrients and allows the roots to absorb them, but drains quickly so that there aren't any stagnant puddles.

Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot, as well as thin fibrous roots that stretch outwards for 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters). The flowers of the cherry are small, fragrant and white. These drupes are two-seeded and ripe when red or purple. The arabica plant is self-fertile and requires no cross pollination in order to produce fruit.

The cool climate 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 coffee that is more affluent and complex, with a more pronounced flavor than coffees grown at lower altitudes.

At higher altitudes, the temperatures are cooler and the air is more humid. The cool climate is ideal for sensitive growth of the coffee plant, and it helps suppress the spread pests and diseases that affect lower elevation plants.

Due to the particular soil and climate particulars, high-altitude farms produce more beans than those that are located at lower elevations. This is why you'll often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes and premium coffee roasters.

If you are planning to grow your own arabica plant, pay attention to the specific requirements of your plant and choose the right soil mix to align with the requirements. Avoid commercial mixes that contain too many ingredients, which could hinder the roots of your plant from developing. Organic matter such as compost or other can be added to the soil to increase water retention, without creating a cement-like surface. Water your plant when the soil is dry to the touch, avoiding over- or under-watering, which can cause root rot.

Unique Flavors

The unique flavor profile of arabica beans makes them highly 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 of beans results in the smoother and sweeter flavor. These beans are also less acidic and contain less caffeine than other varieties. They are, therefore, less bitter and more enjoyable to drink.

Arabica beans grow in the world's mountainous regions that are part of the Coffee Belt, a tropical band that stretches across 30 degrees north and south of the Equator. The most affluent beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic soils and other fertile soils which produce small fruit, also known as coffee cherries.

These cherries have two seeds within them. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer when they mature and are then crushed and roasted to make a cup of coffee. Arabica beans are considered to be a premium arabica coffee beans for espresso coffee bean due to the fact that they are more expensive and have more flavor.

The altitudes at which arabica beans are grown is one of the most important factors that affect the taste and quality of these beans. The cool climate, the fertile volcanic soils and cooler climate make arabica beans taste much better than those grown at lower elevation. The higher elevations have a positive impact on the process of maturation of coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow the development of the beans, giving them time to mature.

The different coffee-growing regions around the globe have their own signature flavors and distinctive characteristics. The arabica beans of Central America are known to have a balanced composition with a light body. Those from Ethiopia and Kenya, on the other hand, are known for their sweet-savory taste. Each region and 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 chocolatey flavor. Others have a sand-like texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.