High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/12799/lavazza-qualita-rossa-coffee-beans-with-aromatic-notes-of-chocolate-and-dried-fruit-arabica-and-robusta-intensity-5-10-medium-roasting-1-kg-12799.jpg)Arabica coffee beans have distinct flavor profiles. Arabica is more susceptible to diseases and pests than its low-elevation counterpart Robusta.
High-grown arabica is a sought-after variety that is found in specialty coffee shops and premium roasters. What makes this particular coffee special? Scientists have discovered the reason: altitude.
High Altitudes
Coffee has a long and rich history, spanning from Ethiopia to Yemen and the lower part of Africa. It is now a major component of the production world. While low-elevation beans are commercially viable and comprise the instant coffee you can find in your local grocery shops, true coffee enthusiasts prefer specialty arabicas that are grown at higher altitudes to enjoy a more complex taste profile.
The mountainous regions in the world's top coffee-producing countries, like Central and South America, Southern Asia, a few Pacific Islands and mid-to-southern Africa provide the ideal conditions for growing high-grown arabica beans. The high-elevation climate conditions are frost-free and provide a mild climate with an average annual temperature between 64 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool mountain temperatures slow down the growth rate of the coffee plant and allow it to mature more slowly. The coffee beans can absorb flavors from the environment, resulting in a unique flavor. The longer maturation period helps prevent the coffee bean borer which is a small beetle that feeds on the beans. It also helps to keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth that inhibits photosynthesis, and decreases productivity.
The combination of these factors creates a more palatable flavor and taste profile when compared to lower-elevation coffees. Coffee that is grown at higher elevations is a better source of sweet flavors, including citrus, fruit and vanilla as well as being more rich and smoother than lower elevation counterparts. The bean's consistency, sweetness and richness of flavor make it the preferred bean for roasters looking to create a truly high-quality cup of coffee.
High-grown arabica is commonly referred to as strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB), meaning that the coffee is grown at an altitude higher than 4,000 feet. Typically the beans are grown on volcanic soil and are shade-grown or organically cultivated, adding to their already impressive flavor characteristics. Because these beans mature and grow slower than low-elevation beans, they tend to be denser, resulting in a stronger and more robust coffee with a more intense and consistent flavor. This distinctive quality 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 zone is referred to as the “coffee belt”. These mountainous regions are perfect for the cultivation of high-quality gourmet arabica coffee beans beans due to the cool climate.
Arabica plants can withstand an array of climate conditions. However, their best growth is seen in subtropical regions with cool night temperatures and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate allows for the plant to create complex flavours that convey the freedom of. These flavors are what make the coffee we enjoy so special.
While the low-elevation coffees that line the instant coffee aisles at your local supermarket may be growing quickly, aficionados and experts alike know that these types are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans produced at higher elevations. The majority of the coffee consumed around the world is high altitude coffee.
The best place to buy arabica coffee beans high grown arabica coffee beans are usually grown at altitudes ranging from three and six thousand feet. The combination of high altitude, cool climate and fertile soil is the reason these beans are distinctly delicious.
Coffee farmers are constantly on the lookout to find the ideal soil conditions to grow high-quality arabica plants. The ideal soil will have a high humus content with a well-draining texture. This kind of soil is perfect for arabica plants, since it promotes healthy roots and helps to reduce the risk of plant diseases.
Coffee farms prefer the cool climate and has a distinct dry season. These weather patterns allow the plants to mature slow, resulting in a more flavorful and full-bodied bean.
Well-drained soil
The high-grown arabica coffee beans are characterized by a sophisticated and complex taste, which is different from the low-elevation varieties that are used for mass production. The coffee trees grow sheltered under tall canopy trees, and the nutrient-rich volcanic soil is ideal for the cultivation of these special beans. The soil is abundant in nutrients, allowing the roots to absorb them, however it drains quickly, so that there aren't any stagnant puddles.
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 flowers are tiny, white and fragrant and are known as cherries. These drupes are two-seeded and ripe when red or purple. The plant is self-fertile and doesn't require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.
The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows the coffee plant's growth cycle, allowing beans to mature more slowly and develop deeper flavors. This results in a coffee that is richer and more complex, with a stronger taste than coffees produced at lower altitudes.
At higher altitudes, the temperatures are cooler and the air is more humid. The cooler climate is perfect for the sensitive growth of the coffee plant and helps to ward off the spread of pests and diseases that affect lower elevation plants.
Because of the unique soil and climate characteristics high-altitude coffee farms are able to produce much more beans than low-elevation farms. This is why you will often find these premium coffee beans in specialty cafes and top coffee roasters.
If you are planning to grow your own Arabica plant, make sure you be aware of the specific requirements of this plant and use a mix of soil that matches these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that could be too heavy in the ingredients and do not allow the roots of your arabica plant to grow. 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 is dry to the touch, avoiding excessive or inadequate watering, which can cause root the rot.
Unique Flavors
The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans make them highly sought-after. They are more sophisticated and nuanced in taste than other coffees, with notes of flowers, fruit caramel, and chocolate. The careful cultivation and roasting of the beans results in the smoother and sweeter flavor. These beans also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties which makes them less bitter and more enjoyable to drink.
Arabica beans grow 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. The finest beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic and other nutrient-rich soils, which 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 a premium selection because they tend to be more expensive than other varieties of bean, and they have a more complex flavor.
The altitude at which arabica beans are grown is one of the main factors that affect their quality and taste. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make arabica coffee beans with rich flavor beans taste better than those that are grown at lower elevations. Higher altitudes also have a positive impact on the maturation process of coffee beans. The cooler temperatures slow down the growth of the beans, giving them more time to mature.
The various coffee-growing regions across the globe each have their own signature flavor and distinctive characteristics. The arabica beans from Central America are known to have a balanced and balanced composition, with a Light dark roast arabica coffee beans body. The beans from Ethiopia and Kenya, on the other hand, are known for having a savory-sweet flavor. Each country and region has a distinct soil type and that is why every coffee has its own distinct flavor. Certain soils are able to hold water and produce a rich, chocolaty taste, while others have a sandy texture which makes the coffee taste less sweet.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/16355/premium-italian-espresso-coffee-beans-medium-roast-arabica-robusta-blend-rich-cocoa-and-chocolate-notes-1kg-bag-for-everyday-brewing-16355.jpg)
