High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans have distinct flavor profiles. Arabica is more susceptible to pests and disease than its low-elevation cousin Robusta.

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

High Altitudes

Coffee has a long and rich history, spanning from Ethiopia to Yemen and lower Africa. It is now a significant part of the world's production. While low-elevation coffee is commercially viable and is the basis for the instant brews sold in grocery stores, true aficionados seek out specialty arabica that is grown at high altitudes to elicit a more complex flavor profile.

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

Cool mountain temperatures delay the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allow for a longer maturation process. The coffee beans are able to absorb flavors from the environment, giving them a unique flavor. The longer maturation period helps prevent the coffee bean borer which is a tiny insect, from infesting and eating the beans. It also helps to keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth, that inhibits photosynthesis, and can reduce productivity.

Combining these elements creates a superior flavor profile and a better taste compared to coffees that are grown at lower elevations. Coffee that is grown at higher elevations has a heightened concentration of sweet flavors, such as citrus, vanilla and fruit, while being richer and smoother than their lower-elevation counterparts. Roasters prefer this bean due to its sweetness, richness of flavor and consistency.

High-grown arabica is usually called strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) meaning that the coffee is located at an elevation higher than 4,000 feet. The beans are typically cultivated on volcanic soils, and they are shade-grown, or organically cultivated. This enhances their already amazing flavor. These beans are drier because they mature and develop slower than those grown at lower altitudes. This makes for an even stronger and consistent coffee. This distinctive characteristic makes SHG and SHB arabica the most popular type of coffee for roasters who want to create a unique cup.

Cool Climate

The world's best coffee growing regions are located in the tropical zone that lies between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This region is known as the "coffee belt". High-quality arabica coffee beans are produced in these mountainous regions where the cool climate and high altitudes provide the ideal conditions for the plant to thrive.

Arabica plants can withstand a wide range of climate conditions. However, their best brand of arabica coffee beans development occurs in subtropical areas with cool nights and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate permits the plant to develop complex flavours that reflect the freedom of. These flavors are what make coffee so distinctive.

While the low-elevation coffees lining 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 elevations. The majority of the coffee consumed around the world is high altitude coffee.

The finest arabica coffee beans tend to be grown 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 distinctively delicious.

Coffee farmers are constantly on the lookout to find the ideal soil conditions to grow high-quality arabica plants. Ideally, the soil should have a high humus content with a smooth, draining texture. This type of soil is ideal for cultivating arabica as it facilitates the development of healthy roots and helps reduce the risk of the incidence of plant diseases.

In addition to a soil that has the proper humus content, coffee farms also prefer a cool climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions allow the plants to grow more slowly, which results in the production of a more dense and delicious bean.

Well-Drained soil

In contrast to the low-elevation species which are cultivated for mass production and lined the aisles of grocery stores, the high grown arabica coffee beans are prized by coffee lovers for their unique and sophisticated flavor. The coffee trees are sheltered by tall canopy trees, and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients. This makes the perfect conditions for the cultivation of these unique beans. The soil allows the roots to absorb what they need, but it also drains quickly, preventing stagnant puddles of water that limit root growth and oxygen intake.

The Arabian coffee plant has a long taproot and fibrous roots that are shallow, which spread outwards from 3 to 4 ft. (0.9-1.2m). The cherry's flowers are tiny, fragrant and white. The drupes contain two seeds inside, and are ripe when they're red or purple in color. The plant is self-fertile and requires no cross pollination in order to produce fruit.

The cool climate at higher altitudes slows the coffee plant's growth cycle, allowing beans to mature more slowly and develop more complex flavors. This results in a more rich, more complex taste that is far more potent than the lower elevation coffees.

At higher altitudes, the temperature is cooler and the air is more humid. The cool weather is ideal for the sensitive coffee plant's growth, and also helps in reducing the spread of diseases and pests that plague lower elevation crops.

Due to 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 as well as premium coffee roasters.

When you plant your own arabica plant be aware of the requirements of your particular plant and select the right soil mix to align with these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that may contain too many ingredients and don't permit the roots of your plant to thrive. Compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil to improve the retention of water, but without creating a cement-like surface. Water your plant when the soil is dry to the touch, avoiding over- or under-watering, which can cause root the rot.

Unique Flavors

The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans makes them extremely sought-after. They are more sophisticated and nuanced in taste than other coffees, and have notes of flowers, fruit caramel, and chocolate. The careful cultivation and roasting of the beans gives smoother and more sweet taste. These beans also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties which makes them less bitter and easy to drink.

Arabica beans are grown in the mountains of the world that are part of the Coffee Belt, a tropical band that spans 30 degrees north and south of the equator. This is where the highest-quality beans are grown. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils, and produce small fruit, which are known as coffee cherries.

These cherries have two seeds within them. As the seeds mature they are separated from their outer layer of flesh and then roasted to create coffee. Arabica coffee beans are considered to be premium because they tend to be more expensive than other varieties of bean and have a more complex flavor.

The high altitudes where arabica beans grow is among the major factors that affect their flavor and quality. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than those grown at lower elevations. Higher altitudes also have a positive effect on the maturation process of coffee beans. This is because the cooler temperatures slow down the cycle of growth, which gives them time to mature and create a rich and satisfying taste.

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 body. The beans from Ethiopia and Kenya on the other hand, are known for their sweet and savory flavor. Each region or country has a distinct soil type and this is the reason each bean has a unique flavor. Some soils are rich in water and have a rich chocolaty taste. Some have a sand texture that makes the coffee taste less sweet.