High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans have distinct flavor profiles. Arabica is more prone to pests and disease than its lower elevation counterpart, Robusta.
High grown arabica is the sought-after variety in specialty coffee shops and premium roasters. What makes this coffee so unique? Scientists have found the reason: altitude.
High Altitudes
With a rich history that spans from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa and lower Africa, coffee has made its way into the hearts of many, forming an enormous portion of the world's coffee production. While low-elevation beans are commercially viable and are the basis of instant coffee that is sold in grocery stores, real coffee lovers prefer specialty arabicas that are grown at high altitudes for greater complexity in taste.
Mountainous regions in the world's top coffee-producing countries, including Central and South America, Southern Asia and 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 pleasantly warm climate with an average annual temperature of 64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cooler temperatures in the mountains slow the growth process of the coffee plant and permit it to mature at a slower pace. The coffee beans are able to absorb flavors from the environment, resulting in a unique flavor. The prolonged maturation also helps to prevent the coffee berry borer, a small aphid which infests and consumes the beans as well as the coffee leaf miner, a moth that inhibits photosynthesis and decreases productivity.
The combination of these elements makes for a better flavor and taste profile when as compared to lower-elevation coffees. The higher elevation coffees have more sweet flavors, such as fruit, citrus and vanilla. It is also richer and smoother than coffee grown lower down. The bean's consistency, sweetness and fullness of flavor make it the most popular bean for roasters seeking to create a truly high-quality cup of coffee.
High-grown arabica coffee is also known as strictly high-grown, or strictly hard bean. This means that the coffee was cultivated at a higher elevation than 4000 feet. The beans are usually grown on volcanic soil and are shade-grown, or organically grown. This enhances their already delicious flavors. These beans are drier due to their maturation and growth slower than those that are grown at lower elevations. This results in a stronger and more consistent coffee. This distinctive characteristic makes SHG and SHB arabica a preferred choice of coffee for roasters looking to make a great cup.
Cool Climate
The most renowned coffee-growing regions are located in the tropical zone between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This region is referred to as the "coffee belt". These mountainous regions are ideal for growing high-quality arabica coffee beans due to the cool climate.
high altitude arabica coffee beans can withstand a variety of conditions of climate however their best growth is found in subtropical zones with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate allows the plant to develop unique flavors that express the freedom. These flavors are what make coffee so distinctive.
While the low-elevation varieties of coffee that line the instant coffee aisles of your local grocery store may be growing quickly, aficionados and experts alike know that these types are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans that are grown at higher altitudes. The majority of the coffee consumed around the globe is high altitude coffee.
The highest quality high-grown arabica coffee beans are generally located between 3000 and 6,000 feet. The combination of high altitude, cool climate, and fertile soil is what makes these beans so unique and delicious.
Coffee farmers are constantly looking for the perfect soil conditions for growing high-quality arabica plants. The soil must be humus-rich and have a texture that drains well. This kind of soil is ideal for growing arabica, as it aids in maintaining healthy roots and to prevent the spread of the risk of developing plant diseases.
In addition to having a soil with the right humus content, coffee farms also prefer a cool climate that has a distinct dry season. These conditions allow the plants to grow more slowly and result in a denser and more flavorful coffee.
Well-Drained Soil
Unlike the low-elevation species that are grown to produce mass quantities and line the aisles of grocery stores The high-quality arabica coffee beans are prized by coffee lovers for their unique and refined flavor. The coffee trees are protected by tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients. This provides the ideal conditions for growing these special beans. The soil allows the roots to absorb the nutrients they require but also drains quickly to prevent stagnant water puddles that restrict the growth of the roots and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot, as well as shallow fibrous roots that spread outwards for 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 m). The flowers are small, white and sweet and are often referred to as cherries. These drupes have two seeds inside, and are ripe when either purple or red. The plant's ability to self-fertilize and does not require cross pollination to produce fruit.
The cooler climate at higher elevations slows the development of the coffee plant and allows it to mature at a slower rate. This allows the beans to develop deeper flavors. This leads to a deeper, more complex taste that is far more potent than the lower elevation coffees.
At these higher altitudes, temperatures are cooler, and the air more humid. The cooler climate is perfect for the sensitive development of the coffee plant, and it aids in reducing the spread pests and diseases that affect lower elevation plants.
Because of the particular soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude coffee farms are able to produce more beans than low-elevation farms. This is why you'll typically find these top coffee beans in specialty cafes and high-end coffee roasters.
If you are planning to grow your own arabica plant, pay close attention to the requirements of your particular plant and select an appropriate soil mix that is in line with those requirements. Avoid commercial mixes with too many ingredients that can hinder the roots of your plant from growing. Organic matter such as compost or other can be added to the soil in order to improve the retention of water, but without creating a cement-like texture. Water your plant when the soil dries out to the touch. Avoid excessive or under-watering which can cause root decay.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile makes arabica beans highly sought after. They are richer and more sophisticated than other coffees that have notes of caramel, chocolate, fruit and flowers. The careful cultivation and roasting beans results in a smoother and sweeter taste. They also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties and are therefore less bitter and more enjoyable to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in the mountainous regions of the world, which are part of the Coffee Belt, a tropical band that extends across 30 degrees north and south of the Equator. The finest beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils, which produce small fruit that are known as coffee cherries.
These cherries contain two seeds within them. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer when they ripen and are crushed and roasted to make a cup of coffee. Arabica coffee beans are a premium variety because they are typically more expensive than other varieties of bean and have a more complex taste.
The high altitudes at which arabica beans are grown are one of the major factors that affect the taste and quality of these beans. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than beans grown at lower elevations. The higher elevations influence the maturation process of the coffee beans. This is because cooler temperatures slow down the beans' growth cycle, which gives them time to mature and develop a rich and satisfying taste.
Each region has its own distinctive flavors and characteristics. For example, arabica beans originate from Central America tend to have balanced composition and a light body, while those from Ethiopia and Kenya are known for their savory-sweet flavors. These distinctive flavors are due to the fact that each country and region has its own unique soil type. Some soils are rich in water and give a rich, chocolatey taste. Others have a sand-like texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.