The Best Arabica Coffee Beans in the World

Many people are unaware that the coffee beans at your favorite cafe or at the supermarket aren't arabica coffee. This kind of bean thrives best in regions with high altitudes and has smoother, sweeter and more nuanced flavor.

The place where coffee beans are grown (aka their terroir) has a major influence on the taste. This is why single-origin arabicas are adored.

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

This coffee is known for its citrus and floral qualities. The high quality beans are grown on small farms in the Oromia region (formerly Harrar) at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,200 meters. The natural process gives an berry-like taste and sweetness.

The high elevations of Yirgacheffe result in the coffee plants to develop more slowly, giving them time to absorb nuances and flavors from the surrounding environment. The region has an extremely humid climate, which is ideal for cultivating coffee.

The green beans that are not roasted in this coffee are a fantastic alternative for roasters looking to capture the real essence of this exotic bean. Light to medium roasts highlight the wine, citrus and the berry flavor. Pairs well with desserts that complement these flavors, such as lemon chocolate or pound cake. The floral and herbal notes go well with spicy or sour dishes.

2. Colombian Supremo

Colombian Supremo, a coffee that is known for its consistency in taste and quality is a popular choice among coffee lovers at all levels. Supremo beans are known for their classic, smooth flavor with notes of caramel and citrus.

The size of the beans is a major element in determining the flavor profile. Supremo coffee beans are large. This larger size means that the beans typically go through Grade 14 (or higher) perforations in the sieve that are lower than the grade of Excelso.

With strict quality standards, a vibrant acidity and a moderately rich body, Colombian Supremo has a universal appeal which makes it a good choice for any brewing method. This particular coffee originates from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who are part of the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that assists over 500,000 coffee growers. This coffee is an example of the high-quality Colombian beans that have been renowned for its world-class coffees.

3. Jamaican Blue Mountain

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought-after gourmet beans in the world. Its smooth, rich flavor makes it one of its most sought-after varieties. This wet-processed Jamaican Blue Mountain variety is known for its sophistication and smoothness. It's also a key ingredient in the coffee liquor Tia Maria.

The Blue Mountains, with their steep elevations, fertile soils, mild climates and dense clouds, provide the perfect environment for coffee cultivation of the highest quality. The coffee beans from this small region are sought-after the world across and fetch a premium for their rareness.

The name implies that Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown in the Blue Mountain district, a stretch of 6,000 acres on the island that is known for its stunning natural beauty and the cultivation of coffee. The area is protected by a national park. farmers cultivate small amounts coffee with great care to preserve their unique characteristics.

4. Costa Rican Tarrazu

A coffee lover's dream, Costa Rican Tarrazu is a perfect balance of body and acidity. The high altitudes of the region, as well as the volcanic soil that is mineral-rich allow for a slower maturing process, allowing the beans to develop their full flavor profile.

Many of the farms that make these coffees are also renowned for their environmentally-friendly practices and strict quality control measures, which makes them popular with eco-conscious consumers. Some of them provide traceability to allow customers to find out more about the farm that made their coffee.

One World Roasters' Tarrazu is an excellent example of the region's characteristic flavor profile, with aromas of vibrant grapefruit and lush dark chocolate. Its medium body is well balanced and well-rounded. This results in a smooth, satisfying finish.

5. Caturra de Colombia

Caturra, a coffee cultivar has become the most popular name in Latin America. The Caturra variety was first introduced to Brazil as a result of a natural mutation of Bourbon. Its production potential is superior to Bourbon however, it requires higher altitudes, resulting in lower yields. Growers employed a method known as mass selection to select parent plants for their outstanding performance, then they bulked seed from those parents and repeated the process.

Colombian Caturra has high yield and is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of the two parents of the Castillo which was developed by Cenicafe to be the flag plant for their "Colombia sin roya", a program aimed at recovering the production of coffee in Colombia.

This heirloom Caturra is grown at 2,000 meters by farmers in Urrao, was roast by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality displays a vibrant acidity with flavors of watermelon, strawberry and citrus.

6. French Roast

French Roast is a strong cup of coffee that has the aroma of charred, smoky notes. This blend is a mix of arabica beans from various regions that offer rich flavors like caramel and chocolate. The beans are roasted darkly to enhance their natural oils and flavor. This blend is of top quality and will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste buds.

These beans are more difficult than other coffee varieties to grow because they require specific climate conditions to thrive. The plants require a particular amount of sunshine and rain and must be protected from frost and drought.

These beans are full of antioxidants that can boost your energy levels and improve your overall health. The antioxidants contained in these beans fight free radicals which can lead to chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Additionally these beans are sources of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, which is vital for the body to convert food into energy.

7. Ethiopian Gesha

Geisha or Gesha as it's called, was discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was introduced to Panama in the 1960s, where it quickly gained fame for its floral aromas, full-bodied flavour and delicate acidity.

Geisha is a pricey coffee variety. It is susceptible to disease and requires high altitudes to grow. The yield of the fruit is also lower. These features make it difficult to produce consistently. This, combined with its high score on the cup, drives the price.

This particular Gesha lot was processed using honey. (Not the actual honey, the beans were treated and dipped into sugar-rich water.) The beans were then moved to a marquee and dried for 96 hours by carbonic maceration. This unique method adds to the complexity and taste of this coffee. It also provides OMA a complex yet balanced cup profile that is full of exotic florals like jasmine and tea roses, with delicate stone fruits and citrus.

8. Indonesian Liberica

The majority of coffee enthusiasts are familiar with two species belonging to the Coffea family: arabica and robusta. The former makes up 80percent of all coffee traded in the world, whereas the second only makes up 20%. There are more than 120 identified species belonging to the genus and some are far less popular than others.

Currently, the most well-known non-arabica coffee beans gift species is Coffea excelsa (or var. dewevrei). This variety is found on medium-sized trees at medium elevations and produces a teardrop shaped bean. It is commonly used in blends and can give a distinctive lingering finish to your cup.

It's not as popular in Southeast Asia as ethically sourced arabica coffee beans but it is still a niche market. This is due to the demand generated by religion as Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink their coffee after prayers. Liberica's resistance to rust on coffee leaves and its low caffeine content make it an attractive alternative for producers who do not have the funds to invest in arabica.

9. Brazilian Exelsa

While Excelsa is incredibly resilient and productive, it requires more attention from farmers to manage than other Coffea arabica or canephora species. This is due in part to the asymmetrical bean size that is larger than canephora or arabica. It has a longer period of fruiting and its leaves are bigger than other C. liberica species. It can also grow to 15m in height, and produces an abundance of fruits.

According to Oliveiro it's a pity that the plant has been misunderstood for so long despite it being classified as the dewevrei variety of liberica in 2006 - because it can be "a excellent coffee maker". It is unlikely that the species will be changed to a commercial coffee with no market. But for those who are willing to put the time and effort into growing it, the benefits are clear: Excelsa beans tend to contain less caffeine than canephora and arabica, and also have a more dense mucus with less liquid solids.