High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans possess distinct flavor profiles. Contrary to their lower elevation counterpart, Robusta, which has greater resistance to diseases and pests, Arabica is more susceptible.

High-grown arabica is the sought-after variety in premium arabica coffee beans coffee shops and specialty roasters. What is it that makes this kind of coffee so desirable? Scientists have identified the reason the reason is altitude.

High Altitudes

With a history that extends from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa and lower Africa, coffee has made its way into the hearts of many, making up an enormous portion of global production today. While low-elevation coffee is economically viable and is a major component of the instant brew found in grocery stores, true enthusiasts look for specialty arabicas that are grown at high altitudes to elicit a more complex flavor profile.

The mountainous regions of the world's foremost coffee-producing countries--Central and South America, Southern Asia and some Pacific Islands, and mid to southern Africa--provide ideal growing conditions for the high-quality arabica beans. These high-elevation climatic conditions are frost-free and provide a mild climate with an average annual temperature between 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooler temperatures in the mountains slow down the process of growth for the coffee plant and allow for a longer maturation process. The coffee beans; you can check here, absorb flavors from the environment, which gives them distinct flavors. The longer maturation period also helps to prevent the coffee berry borer, which is a small batch arabica coffee beans aphid which infests and consumes the beans, as well as the coffee leaf miner moth, which hinders photosynthesis and decreases productivity.

The combination of these factors makes for a better taste and flavor profile in comparison to lower elevation coffees. Coffee grown higher up has more sweet flavors such as citrus, fruit, and vanilla. It's also more astringent and more smooth than coffee that is grown lower down. The bean's consistency, sweetness, and depth of flavor make it the preferred bean for roasters seeking to create a truly premium cup of joe.

High-grown arabica is often referred to as strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) meaning that the coffee is grown at an altitude higher than 4000 feet. The beans are usually grown on volcanic soils, and they are shade-grown, or organically cultivated. This adds to their already amazing flavors. Because they develop and mature more slowly than those with lower elevation generally, they are more dense, which results in a stronger cup with a more intense and consistent flavor. This unique quality makes SHG and SHB arabica a preferred choice 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 the most prestigious of coffee growing regions. These mountainous regions are perfect for the cultivation of high-quality arabica beans due to the cool climate.

Arabica plants are tolerant of a variety of conditions of climate however their best development occurs in subtropical regions with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate permits the plant to develop complex flavors that express freedom. These flavors are what make coffee so distinctive.

While the popularity of instant coffees with low elevation at your local grocery store is growing, coffee lovers and experts agree that these varieties tend to be more bitter and less tasty compared to specialty coffee beans cultivated at higher elevations. The majority of coffee consumed around the world is high altitude coffee.

The best arabica coffee beans tend to be grown between 3000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. These beans are delicious because of the combination of high elevation, cool climate and fertile soil.

Coffee farmers are always seeking out the ideal soil conditions to cultivate high-quality arabica plants. Ideally, the soil should be rich in humus with a well-draining surface. This kind of soil is ideal for growing arabica, as it encourages healthy roots and helps to reduce the risk of plant diseases.

Coffee farms prefer the cool climate and has a distinct dry period. These climate patterns allow plants to grow more slowly and produce a denser and more flavorful coffee.

Well-Drained Soil

The high-grown arabica coffee beans have a complex and sophisticated taste, unlike the low-elevation species grown for mass production. The coffee plants are protected under tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and provides ideal growing conditions for these special beans. The soil is abundant in nutrients, allowing the roots to absorb them, but the soil drains quickly, ensuring that there are no stagnant puddles.

The Arabian coffee plant has a long taproot, and fibrous roots that are shallow, which extend outwards from 3 to 4 ft. (0.9-1.2m). The flowers are small, white, and fragrant and are referred to as cherries. The drupes contain two seeds inside and are ripe when they are either purple or red. The arabica plant can self-fertilize and doesn't require cross pollination to produce fruit.

The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows the growth cycle of the coffee plant which allows it to mature slower. This allows the beans to develop more intense flavors. This leads to a deeper and more complex flavor that is much more potent than lower-elevation coffees.

At higher altitudes, the temperatures are cooler and the air more humid. The cool climate is ideal for sensitive development of the coffee plant and it aids in reducing the spread of pests and diseases that attack lower elevation plants.

Due to the particular soil and climate characteristics high-altitude coffee farms are able produce more beans than low-elevation farms. You can find these premium beans in specialty cafes as well as in premium coffee roasters.

When you plant your own arabica plant, be sure to be aware of the particular requirements of this plant and select a mixture of soil that is compatible with these requirements. Avoid commercial mixes with too many ingredients, which could stop the roots of your plant from growing. Incorporate compost or other organic arabica coffee beans matter to increase retention of water without creating a concrete-like appearance. Water your plant once the soil dries out to the touch, and avoid over- or under-watering, which can lead to root the rot.

Unique Flavors

The unique flavor profile of arabica beans make them sought-after. They are more affluent and nuanced than other coffee types that have notes of caramel, chocolate fruit, and flowers. The attention to detail that is taken during growing and roasting produces a smoother, sweeter flavor. They are also less acidic and have less caffeine than other varieties. They are, therefore, less bitter and more enjoyable for you to drink.

Arabica beans are grown in mountainous regions of the world that are part of the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical region which extends 30 degrees north or south of the Equator. This is where the highest-quality beans are grown. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic and other fertile soils, and produce small fruit, which are referred to as coffee cherries.

The cherries contain two seeds inside them. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer as they begin to ripen, and then are crushed and roasted to make a cup of coffee. Arabica coffee beans are a premium selection because they are generally more expensive than other varieties and also have a more complex flavor.

The high altitudes at which arabica beans grow is one of the main factors that affect their taste and quality. The cool climate, the fertile volcanic soils and cooler climate makes arabica beans taste much better than beans grown at lower elevation. The higher elevations have a positive impact on the maturation process of coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow down the growth cycle of the beans, which gives them more time to mature.

Each region has its own distinct flavor and distinctive characteristics. The arabica beans from Central America are known to possess a balanced blend with a light medium roast arabica coffee beans body. The beans from Ethiopia and Kenya on the contrary, are noted for having a savory-sweet flavor. The distinctive tastes are due to fact that each region and country has its own soil type. Some soils are enriched with water and produce a full chocolaty taste. Others have a sand texture which makes the coffee taste lighter.