High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans are characterized by a distinct taste. Arabica is more prone to pests and disease than its low-elevation counterpart, Robusta.
High-grown arabica is a coveted variety found in specialty coffee shops and premium roasters. What makes this coffee special? Scientists have identified the reason: 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, forming an enormous portion of the world's coffee production. While low-elevation coffee is economically viable and is a major component of the instant brews sold in supermarkets, true aficionados seek out specialty arabica grown at high altitudes to elicit a more complex flavor profile.
Mountainous regions in the world's most renowned coffee producing countries, including Central and South America, Southern Asia, a few Pacific Islands and mid-to-southern Africa are ideal to grow high-quality arabica beans. These high-elevation regions are frost-free and provide a temperate atmosphere with a perfect annual average temperature of 64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures delay the process of growth for the coffee plant and permit a longer maturation process. This allows the coffee beans to absorb various flavors from their environment and imbue them with unique characteristics. The prolonged maturation helps prevent the coffee bean borer, which is a tiny insect that feeds on the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth which blocks photosynthesis and reduces productivity.
The combination of these elements makes for a better flavor and aroma profile in comparison to lower elevation coffees. Coffee that is grown at higher altitudes has a heightened concentration of sweet flavors like citrus, fruit and vanilla and is also richer and smoother than their lower elevation counterparts. The bean's consistency, sweetness and richness of flavor make it the most popular bean for roasters seeking to create a truly top-quality cup of joe.
High-grown arabica coffee is called strictly high-grown or strictly hard bean. This means that the coffee was grown at a higher elevation 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 characteristics. They are more dense due to their maturation and growth slower than beans grown at lower altitudes. This results in an even stronger and consistent coffee. This unique quality makes SHG or SHB arabica the coffee of choice for roasters that want to produce an espresso that is unique.
Cool Climate
The tropical zone that spans the tropical regions of Cancer and Capricorn known as the coffee belt, is one of the most sought-after coffee-growing regions. These mountainous regions are ideal for the cultivation of high-quality arabica beans due to the cool climate.
Arabica plants can withstand a wide range of climate conditions. However, their most successful growth occurs in subtropical regions with cool nights and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate enables the plant to create complex flavors that express the freedom of. These flavors are what makes coffee 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 flavorful when compared to specialty coffee beans grown at higher altitudes. The majority of coffee consumed around the globe is high altitude coffee.
The best arabica coffee beans tend to be cultivated between 3000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. The combination of high altitude, cool climate and fertile soil is what makes these beans so distinctively delicious.
Coffee farmers are constantly on the lookout to find the perfect 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 cultivating arabica since it encourages the growth of healthy roots and also helps to reduce the incidence of the incidence of plant diseases.
In addition to a soil with the right humus content, coffee farms prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions permit plants to mature more slow, resulting in a more delicious and a more dense bean.
Well-drained soil
In contrast to the low-elevation species which are grown to produce mass quantities and line the aisles of grocery stores The high-quality arabica beans are sought-after by coffee lovers for their unique and sophisticated flavor. The coffee trees are shaded by tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients. This provides the ideal conditions for the cultivation of these unique beans. The soil allows the roots to absorb what they require but also drains quickly to prevent stagnant pools of water that hinder the growth of the root and oxygen intake.
The Arabian coffee plant has a long taproot, and fibrous roots that are shallow, which extend outwards from 3 to 4 feet. (0.9-1.2m). The flowers of the cherry are tiny and fragrant, as well as white. They have two seeds inside and are ripe when they are red or purple in color. The arabica plant can self-fertilize and doesn't require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.
The cool climate at higher altitudes slows the growth cycle, allowing beans to mature more slowly and develop deeper flavors. This leads to a deeper flavor, more complex and complex taste that is far more potent than the lower elevation coffees.
At these high altitudes, temperatures are cooler, and the air more humid. The cool weather is perfect for the coffee plant's sensitive growth, and also helps in reducing the spread of pests and diseases that plague lower-elevation crops.
Due to the unique soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude farms can produce more beans than those in lower elevations. This is why you'll often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes as well as premium coffee roasters.
If you are planning to grow your own Arabica plant, ensure that you be aware of the specific requirements of the plant and choose a mix of soil that matches these requirements. Avoid commercial mixes that could be too heavy in the ingredients and don't permit the roots of your plant to grow. 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 as soon as the soil dries out to the touch. Avoid over- or under-watering, which can cause root rot.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans makes them extremely sought-after. They are more rich and complex than other types of coffee that have notes of caramel, chocolate fruits, and flowers. The careful cultivation and roasting of beans gives the smoother and sweeter flavor. These beans also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties, making them less bitter and more enjoyable to drink.
Arabica beans grow in the mountains of the world that are part of the Coffee Belt, a tropical band that extends across 30 degrees north and south of the equator. The best beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic and other rich soils, which produce small fruits that are referred to as coffee cherries.
These cherries contain two seeds. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer when they mature and are then ground and roasted to make the coffee. Arabica beans are regarded as a premium coffee bean since they are more expensive and have greater flavor.
The high altitudes at which arabica beans are grown is one of the major factors that influence their taste and quality. The cooler climate, the fertile volcanic soils and cooler climate makes arabica beans taste more delicious than beans grown at lower elevation. Higher altitudes also have a positive effect on the maturation of coffee beans. This is because cooler temperatures slow down the beans' growth cycle and gives them the time to mature and develop a savoury and rich taste.
The different coffee-growing regions around the world each 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 having a savory-sweet flavor. Each region or country has a distinct soil type and this is the reason each bean has a unique flavor. Certain soils are able to hold water and produce a rich chocolaty taste, whereas others have a sandy texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.