high grown arabica coffee beans (web link)
arabica coffee bean blend coffee beans have distinct flavor profiles. Arabica is more susceptible to disease and pests than its low-elevation cousin Robusta.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/158/solimo-coffee-beans-100-percent-arabica-medium-roast-2-kg-pack-of-2-x-1000-g-158.jpg)The high-grown arabica variety is the most sought after by specialty roasters and high-end coffee shops. What is it that makes this kind of coffee so popular? Scientists have identified the reason: altitude.
High Altitudes
Coffee has a long history that spans from Ethiopia to Yemen and lower Africa. It is now a major component of the global production. While low-elevation coffee can be economically viable and is a major component of the instant coffee sold in grocery stores, true coffee lovers seek out specialty arabica grown at higher altitudes for more of a complex flavor.
The mountainous regions of the world's top coffee-producing countries, including Central and South America, Southern Asia, some Pacific Islands and mid-to-southern Africa, provide ideal conditions for the cultivation of high-quality arabica beans. These high-elevation regions are frost-free and offer a pleasant climate with an average annual temperature of 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the process of growth for the coffee plant and allow for a longer maturation process. This allows the coffee beans to absorb different flavors from their environment and imbue them with unique characteristics. The prolonged maturation helps prevent the coffee bean borer, which is a tiny beetle, from infesting and eating the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a flies, which blocks photosynthesis and reduces productivity.
Combining these elements creates the best arabica coffee beans in the world 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 fruit, citrus and vanilla and is also richer and smoother than their lower elevation counterparts. The bean's consistency, sweetness, and depth of flavor make it the most popular bean for roasters seeking to create a truly high-quality cup of coffee.
High-grown arabica is often called strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) meaning that the coffee is grown at a higher altitude than 4000 feet. Typically the beans are cultivated on volcanic soils and are shade-grown or organically cultivated, adding to their already impressive flavor profiles. Because they grow and mature slower than low-elevation beans and are therefore heavier, resulting in a stronger and more robust coffee with a more intense and consistent flavor. This distinctive characteristic makes SHG and SHB arabica a preferred choice of coffee for roasters who want to create a unique cup.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/12757/lavazza-espresso-italiano-arabica-medium-roast-coffee-beans-1kg-12757.jpg)Cool Climate
The tropical zone that stretches across the tropical regions of Cancer and Capricorn, also known as the coffee belt, is one of the most sought-after coffee-growing regions. High grown arabica coffee bean blend coffee beans are grown in these mountainous regions where the cooler climate and high altitudes provide the ideal conditions for the plant to flourish.
Arabica plants are tolerant of a variety of climate conditions however their best growth is found in subtropical zones with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate permits the plant to develop complex flavors that reflect the freedom of. These flavors are what make coffee so special.
While the low-elevation varieties of coffee that line the instant coffee aisle of your local grocery store may be growing quickly, experts and aficionados alike know that these types are less bitter and flavorful than specialty coffee beans grown at higher elevations. In fact the majority of coffee consumed in the world is high-elevation.
The finest arabica coffee beans tend to be grown between 3,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level. These beans are so delicious because of the combination of high elevation and cool climate, as well as fertile soil.
Coffee farmers are always seeking out the perfect soil conditions for growing high-quality arabica plants. The ideal soil will 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 also helps to reduce the incidence of the risk of plant diseases.
In addition to a soil with the right humus content, coffee farms also prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These weather patterns allow the plants to mature more slowly and produce a denser and more flavorful coffee.
Well-Drained soil
In contrast to the low-elevation species which are grown for mass production and lined the aisles of grocery stores the high-quality arabica coffee beans are coveted by aficionados for their complex and refined flavor. The coffee trees are sheltered under tall canopy trees, and the nutrient-rich volcanic soil creates the ideal conditions for the growth of these special beans. The soil is rich in nutrients and allows the roots to absorb them, but the soil drains quickly, ensuring that there are no stagnant puddles.
Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot as well as small fibrous roots that extend outwards for 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 m). The cherries' flowers are tiny delicate, fragrant and white. These drupes are two-seeded and ripe when they are purple or red. The plant is self-fertile and does not require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.
The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows down the development of the coffee plant which allows it to mature at a slower rate. This allows the beans to develop more intense flavors. This produces a coffee that is more rich and complex, with a stronger taste than coffees produced at lower elevations.
At higher altitudes, the temperatures are lower and the air is more humid. The cool weather is perfect for the delicate coffee plant's growth, and it helps to suppress the spread of pests and diseases that plague lower elevation crops.
Due to the unique soil and climate particulars, high-altitude farms produce more beans than farms that are located at lower altitudes. This is why you will often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes as well as premium coffee roasters.
If you are planning to grow your own arabica plant, pay attention to the specific requirements of your plant and choose a soil mix that aligns with these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that may contain too many ingredients and do not allow the roots of your sustainable arabica coffee bean farm plant to grow. Compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil in order to improve the retention of water, but without creating a texture that resembles cement. Water your plant once the soil dries out to the touch, and avoid 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 rich and complex in flavor than other coffees. They have notes of fruit, flowers, caramel and chocolate. The careful cultivation and roasting of beans results in smoother and more sweet taste. They also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties which makes them less bitter and easy to drink.
Arabica beans are grown in mountains around the globe that are part the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical region that extends 30 degrees to the north or south of the Equator. The finest beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are grown in volcanic and other fertile soils, and produce small fruits that are referred to as coffee cherries.
The cherries have two seeds. As the seeds mature, they are separated from their outer layer of flesh and roasted to make coffee. Arabica coffee beans are considered to be premium because they tend to be more expensive than other varieties and also have a more complex flavor.
The altitude where arabica beans grow is among the major factors that affect their taste and quality. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica beans taste better than those that are grown at lower elevations. Higher elevations can have a positive effect on the maturation process of the coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow down the development of the beans, which gives them time to mature.
Each region has its own distinctive flavor and distinctive characteristics. The arabica beans of Central America are known to have a balanced composition with a light body. Those from Ethiopia and Kenya, on the other hand, are known for their sweet-savory taste. These unique tastes are due to fact that each country and region has its own distinct soil type. Some soils are rich in water and give a rich chocolatey flavor. Others have a sand-like texture that makes the coffee taste less sweet.