premium arabica coffee beans for espresso are distinguished by a distinct taste. Arabica is more prone to pests and disease than its lower elevation counterpart Robusta.
High grown arabica is the sought-after variety that is found in premium coffee shops and specialty roasters. What makes this coffee so special? Scientists have discovered the reason behind this: altitude.
High Altitudes
Coffee has a long history that stretches from Ethiopia to Yemen and lower Africa. It is now a major component of the world's production. While low-elevation coffee is economically viable and is a major component of the instant brew found in grocery stores, serious aficionados seek out specialty arabica that is grown at higher altitudes to produce more of a complex flavor.
The mountainous regions of the world's top coffee producing countries--Central and South America, Southern Asia and some Pacific Islands, and mid to southern Africa provide ideal growing conditions for high-grown arabica coffee beans. The high-elevation climate conditions are frost-free, and provide the climate with a moderate climate, with an average annual temperature ranging from 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the coffee plant's growth cycle and allow for a longer maturation process. This allows the coffee beans to absorb various flavors from their environment and imbue them with unique characteristics. The longer maturation period helps stop the coffee bean borer, which is a tiny beetle that feeds on the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a flies, that inhibits photosynthesis, and reduces productivity.
Combining these factors results in the best flavor profile and a better taste compared to coffees grown at lower elevations. The higher elevation coffees have a greater concentration of sweet flavors like fruit, citrus, and vanilla. It's also more astringent and more smooth than coffee grown lower down. Roasters love this coffee because of its sweetness, fullness of flavor and consistency.
High-grown arabica is known as strictly high-grown, or strictly hard bean. This means that the coffee was cultivated at a higher elevation than 4000 feet. Typically the beans are cultivated on volcanic soils and are organically grown or shade-grown, adding to their already amazing flavor characteristics. These beans are denser because they mature and develop slower than those grown at lower elevations. This results in a stronger and more consistent coffee. This unique characteristic makes SHG or SHB arabica a great choice for roasters who want to make an espresso that is exceptional.
Cool Climate
The tropical zone that stretches across the tropical regions of Cancer and Capricorn known as the coffee belt is one of the most sought-after coffee-growing regions. High grown arabica coffee beans are grown in these mountainous regions where the low altitudes and cool climate create the ideal conditions for the plant to thrive.
Arabica plants can withstand a variety of climates but their peak development occurs in subtropical regions with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate permits the plant to develop complex flavors that express the freedom. These flavors are what make the coffee we enjoy so special.
While the low-elevation coffees lining the instant coffee aisle at your local supermarket can grow quickly, experts and aficionados alike know that these types are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans grown at higher altitudes. The majority of the coffee consumed around the globe is high-altitude coffee.
The finest arabica coffee beans tend to be cultivated between 3,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level. The combination of high altitude, cool climate, and fertile soil is what makes these beans unique and delicious.
Coffee farmers are always searching for the ideal conditions for soil that will encourage the growth of top-quality arabica coffee plants. The ideal soil will be rich in humus with a smooth, draining texture. This kind of soil is perfect for arabica plants, since it encourages healthy roots and helps to reduce the risk of the risk of developing plant diseases.
In addition to a soil that has the proper humus content, coffee farms prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions permit plants to mature more slowly, which results in a more delicious and a more dense bean.
Well-Drained Soil
Unlike the low-elevation species that are grown to produce mass quantities and line the aisles of supermarkets The high-quality arabica coffee beans are coveted by aficionados due to their rich and refined flavor. The coffee trees are sheltered under tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and is ideal for the cultivation of these particular beans. The soil is able to allow the roots to absorb what they require, but it also drains quickly to avoid stagnant pools of water that hinder root growth and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot, as well as small fibrous roots that extend outwards for 3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m). The cherry's flowers are small and fragrant, as well as white. They are two-seeded and ready to ripen when they turn they are purple or red. The plant is self-fertile and doesn't require cross pollination to produce fruit.
The cooler climate at higher elevations slows the growth rate of the coffee plant and allows it to mature at a slower rate. This allows the beans to develop deeper flavors. This results in a more rich flavor, more complex and complex taste that is more potent than the lower elevation coffees.
At these higher altitudes, the temperatures are cooler, and the air more humid. The cool, dry weather is perfect for the sensitive coffee plant's growth, and it helps in reducing the spread of pests and disease that affect lower elevation crops.
Due to the unique soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude farms are able to produce more beans than farms at lower elevations. You will find these superior beans at specialty cafes and in premium coffee roasters.
When growing your own Arabica plant, make sure you be aware of the particular needs of this plant and use a mix of soil that is compatible with these requirements. Avoid commercial mixes that contain too many ingredients that can hinder the roots of your plant from developing. Include compost or other organic matter to improve water retention without creating a concrete-like appearance. Water your plant once the soil dries out to the touch, avoiding excessive or inadequate watering, which can lead to root the rot.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile makes arabica beans extremely sought-after. They are more rich and complex in flavor than other coffees. They have notes of fruit, flowers, caramel and chocolate. The careful cultivation and roasting beans gives the smoother and sweeter flavor. These beans are also less acidic and contain less caffeine than other varieties. They are also less bitter and are easier to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in mountains around the globe that are part the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical region which extends 30 degrees north or south of the Equator. The most affluent beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils, which produce small fruit that are referred to as coffee cherries.
The cherries contain two seeds inside them. When the seeds begin to mature, they are separated from their fleshy outer layer and then roasted to create coffee. Arabica beans are considered a premium coffee bean because they are more expensive and possess a a richer flavor.
The altitudes at which arabica beans are grown are one of the most important factors that affect the taste and quality of these beans. The cooler climate, the fertile volcanic soils, and the cooler climate make arabica beans taste much better than those grown at lower elevation. The higher elevations influence the maturation process of the coffee beans. This is because the cooler temperatures slow down the cycle of growth and gives them the time to mature and develop a rich and satisfying taste.
Each region has its own unique flavor and distinctive characteristics. For example, arabica beans originate from Central America tend to have a balanced composition and a light body, while those from Ethiopia and Kenya are popular for their savory sweet flavors. The distinctive flavor profiles are due to the fact that each region and country has its own unique soil type. Certain soils can hold water well and produce a rich, chocolaty taste, while others have a sand-like texture which makes the coffee taste less sweet.