10 High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans Tricks Experts Recommend
High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans have a distinct flavor profile. In contrast to their low-elevation counterpart Robusta, which has greater resistance to diseases and pests, Arabica is more susceptible.
High grown arabica is the coveted variety found in premium coffee shops and specialty roasters. What makes this coffee special? Scientists have identified the reason: altitude.
High Altitudes
With a rich history that spans from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa, coffee has found its way into the hearts of many, making up a large portion of the world's coffee production. While low-elevation beans are commercially viable and are the basis of instant coffee you can find in your local grocery shops, true coffee aficionados prefer specialty handpicked arabica coffee beans grown high altitudes for a more complex taste profile.
The mountainous regions in the world's most renowned 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 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the coffee plant's growth cycle and permit a longer maturation process. The coffee beans are able to absorb flavors from the environment, resulting in a unique flavor. The longer maturation period helps prevent the coffee bean borer, which is a tiny beetle that infests and eats the beans. It also helps to keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth that inhibits photosynthesis, and reduces productivity.
The combination of these factors contributes to a superior flavor and aroma profile in comparison to lower elevation coffees. Coffee that is grown at higher altitudes has a higher concentration of sweet flavors, such as fruit, citrus and vanilla as well as being more rich and smoother than lower elevation counterparts. Roasters prefer this bean due to its sweetness, richness of flavour and consistency.
High-grown arabica coffee is also known as strictly high-grown or strictly hard bean. This means that the coffee was grown at a higher elevation than 4000 feet. The beans are typically cultivated on volcanic soils, and they are shade-grown, or organically cultivated. This enhances their already impressive flavors. They are more dense because they mature and grow slower than those grown at lower altitudes. This makes for a stronger and more consistent coffee. This distinctive quality makes SHG and SHB arabica the most popular type of coffee for roasters seeking to deliver an exceptional cup.
Cool Climate
The most renowned coffee-growing regions are located in the tropical zone between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This zone is referred to as the "coffee belt". High-quality arabica coffee beans are grown in these mountains where the cooler climate and high altitudes create the ideal conditions for the plant to thrive.
Arabica plants can withstand a wide range of climate conditions. However, their most successful development occurs in subtropical areas with cool nights and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate allows the plant to create complex flavors that convey the freedom. It's these tastes that make the coffee we love so distinctive.
While the popularity of instant coffees with low elevation at your local grocery store is increasing, coffee lovers and experts agree that these types tend to be more bitter and less tasty compared to specialty coffee beans that are grown at higher altitudes. The majority of the coffee consumed around the globe is high-altitude coffee.
The best arabica coffee beans in the world arabica coffee beans are said to be cultivated between 3000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. These beans are so delicious due to the combination of high elevation, cool climate and fertile soil.
Coffee farmers are always on the lookout for the ideal soil conditions that foster the growth of top-quality arabica coffee plants. The soil must be humus-rich and have a smooth texture that drains well. This type of soil is ideal for arabica plants, since it aids in maintaining healthy roots and to minimize plant diseases.
In addition to having a soil that has the right humus content, coffee farms also prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These climate patterns permit plants to mature more slowly, which results in a more flavorful and full-bodied bean.
Well-Drained soil
The high-grown arabica coffee beans are characterized by a sophisticated and complex flavor, in contrast to the low-elevation variety that is used for mass production. The coffee trees are shaded by tall canopy trees, and the volcanic soil is rich in nutrients. This provides the ideal conditions for growing these special beans. The soil is able to allow the roots to absorb what they require, but it also drains quickly, preventing stagnant pools of water that hinder the growth of the roots and oxygen intake.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot as well as small fibrous roots that extend outwards for 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters). The cherry's flowers are tiny delicate, fragrant and white. They are two-seeded and ready to ripen when they turn they turn red or purple. The plant's ability to self-fertilize and doesn't require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.
The cool climate at higher altitudes slows the coffee plant's growth cycle, allowing the beans to mature more slowly and develop more complex flavors. This results in a more rich and more complex flavor that is far more potent than the lower elevation coffees.
At higher altitudes, the temperatures are lower and the air is more humid. The cool, dry weather is perfect for the coffee plant's sensitive growth, and also helps in preventing the spread of pests and disease that plague lower elevation crops.
Due to the particular soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude farms can produce more beans than those at lower altitudes. This is why you'll often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes and premium coffee roasters.
When growing your own Arabica plant, be sure to be aware of the specific requirements of this plant and select a mixture of soil that is compatible with these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that may be too heavy in ingredients and do not allow the roots of your plant to grow. Organic matter such as compost or other 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. Avoid excessive or under-watering which can lead to root the rot.
Unique Flavors
The unique flavor profile of arabica beans makes them highly sought-after. They are more affluent and nuanced than other coffee types with notes of caramel, chocolate fruit and flowers. The careful cultivation and roasting beans results in a smoother and sweeter taste. These beans also contain less caffeine and acidity than other varieties and are therefore less bitter and easier to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in mountainous regions around the globe which are part of the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical band which extends 30 degrees north or south of the Equator. This is where the finest quality beans are produced. The coffee plants are planted in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils. They produce small fruits that are known as coffee cherries.
These cherries contain two seeds. As the seeds mature, they are separated from their outer layer of flesh and roasted to make coffee. Arabica coffee beans are a premium variety because they are typically more expensive than other varieties of beans and have a more complex taste.
The high altitudes at which artisanal arabica coffee beans beans are grown is one of the main factors that influence their taste and quality. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than those that are grown at lower altitudes. Higher elevations influence the process of maturation of coffee beans. This is because the cooler temperatures slow down the beans' growth cycle, which gives them time to mature and develop a savoury and rich taste.
Each region has its own distinctive flavor and distinctive characteristics. For instance arabica beans from Central America tend to have an even composition and a light medium roast arabica coffee beans body while those from Ethiopia and Kenya are well-known for their sweet and savory flavors. The distinctive flavor profiles are due to the fact that each country and region has its own distinct soil type. Certain soils are able to hold water and result in a full chocolatey flavor, while others have a sand-like texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.