Know Your Beans: Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica Coffee Beans (Coffea Arabica)

Coffee has grown to be one of the most popular beverages today; and, as a bonus, it is now being proven to be good for your health. There are various varieties of coffee beans available in the market today and Arabica is one of the most common and popular types of coffee beans.

The Arabica Plant

Arabica coffee beans are produced by wild plants that grow between nine and twelve meters tall. The plant is also referred to as the “Arabica coffee” or ” Arabia coffee shrub” or “mountain coffee”. The Arabica coffee plant is described as having an open branching system. The leaves are simple oblong to elliptical or oval in shape. The size of these leaves range from about six to twelve cm in length and four to eight cm in width, and are a glossy dark green. The flowers of the coffee plant are white, grow in clusters and are about ten to fifteen mm in diameter. The fruit of the Arabica coffee plant is known technically as a drupe; though commonly referred to as a “berry”. This berry changes color from bright red to purple as it matures and characteristically contains two seeds that we know as the coffee ‘bean’.

Origins of Arabica Coffee

Arabica coffee beans were indigenous in the Arabian Peninsula to the mountains of Yemen; and Yemen is the location where this coffee was first commercially cultivated. An interesting fact is that this type of coffee is considered to be the first cultivated coffee species. The Arabica coffee bean has been grown in southwest Arabia for well over one thousand years.

Cultivation of Arabica Beans

In Ethiopia the cultivation of this coffee is vast. The Arabica plant thrives in tropical mountainous. It can be grown in high altitudes starting around 2000 feet above sea level; but usually produces better results in altitudes of 4000 to 6000 feet above sea level. Arabica coffee beans are cultivated in subtropical climates with affluent soil and sufficient shade and sunlight. More than seventy percent of the world’s coffee today is sold in the form of Arabica. About one pound of coffee is produced by one Arabica tree every year. For creating approximately one hundred pound bag of green coffee, it takes about five hundred to six hundred pounds of Arabica beans.

The Taste of Arabica Coffee

The taste of Arabica is most commonly described as a very smooth and mellow sensation as it enters the mouth. It has a rich and deep body but it still delicate and not overpowering. Arabica does not have the bitter first sip and aftertaste that Robusta coffee tends to have; it has a smoother and balanced taste.

Facts

• Arabica coffee is considered by most to be superior in flavor with a less bitter taste.
• The caffeine content in Arabica is lower than other types of coffee beans such as Robusta.
• High quality coffee generally will (or should) contain 100% Arabica beans. Always check labels.
• You will pay more for Arabica coffee subscriptions .

Why Arabica Beans?

As compared to other types of coffee beans, Arabica definitely provides superior taste and aroma. But you don’t have to take my word, do a taste test yourself. When compared side by side you will be convinced that the additional cost is well worth the noticeable difference in taste enjoyment.

Arabica Coffee Beans (Coffea Arabica) Coffee has grown to be one of the most popular beverages today; and, as a bonus, it is now being proven to be good for your health. There are various varieties of coffee beans available in the market today and Arabica is one of the most common and popular types…