High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans are characterized by a distinct flavor. Arabica is more prone to pests and disease than its lower elevation counterpart Robusta.

The Arabicica variety with the highest quality is the one sought-after by specialty roasters and premium arabica coffee beans blend coffee shops. What is it that makes this kind of coffee so sought-after? Scientists have discovered the reason: altitude.

High Altitudes

Coffee has a long history that stretches from Ethiopia to Yemen and even lower Africa. It is now a significant part of the global production. While low-elevation beans can be sold commercially, and make up the instant coffee that is sold in grocery stores, real coffee aficionados prefer specialty arabicas grown at higher altitudes to enjoy an enticing flavor profile.

The mountainous regions of the world's leading coffee producing countries, like Central and South America, Southern Asia, some Pacific Islands and mid-to-southern Africa are ideal for the cultivation of high-quality arabica beans. These high-elevation regions are frost-free and provide a pleasantly warm climate with a perfect annual average temperature of 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooler temperatures in the mountains slow the growth cycle of the coffee plant and allow it to mature at a slower pace. This allows the coffee beans to absorb a variety of flavors from their surroundings and imbue them with unique characteristics. The extended maturation helps to keep the coffee bean borer, which is a tiny beetle that infests and eats the beans. It also helps keep out the coffee leaf miner, a moth which blocks photosynthesis and reduces productivity.

Combining these factors results in the best flavor profile and taste compared to coffees that are grown at lower elevations. The higher elevation coffees have more sweet flavors such as fruit, citrus and vanilla. It's also more rich and smoother than coffee that is grown lower down. Roasters prefer this bean because of its sweetness, fullness of flavor and consistency.

High-grown arabica is usually called strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB), meaning that the coffee is grown at a higher altitude than 4,000 feet. Typically the beans are grown on volcanic soils and are organically grown or shade-grown and have impressive flavor characteristics. These beans are drier due to their maturation and growth slower than beans that are grown at lower altitudes. This makes for a stronger and more consistent coffee. This unique quality makes SHG or SHB arabica the preferred choice for roasters who want to create a cup of coffee that is outstanding.

Cool Climate

The tropical zone spanning the tropical regions of Cancer and Capricorn, also known as the coffee belt is home to the world's premier coffee-growing regions. High grown arabica coffee beans are grown in these mountains where the cool climate and high altitudes provide the perfect conditions for the plant to thrive.

Arabica plants can withstand a variety of climate conditions, but their optimal development occurs in subtropical regions with cool nights and warm days. This unique climate enables the plant to create complex flavors that express freedom. It's these flavors that make the coffee we love so special.

While the low-elevation coffees lining the instant coffee aisles at your local supermarket may be growing quickly, aficionados and experts alike realize that these coffees are less bitter and flavorful than specialty coffee beans that are grown at higher altitudes. In fact the majority of coffee consumed in the world is high-elevation.

The best high grown arabica Coffee beans (http://www.diywiki.org/) are typically grown at altitudes ranging from 3000 and 6,000 feet. These beans are delicious due to the combination of high elevation with cool climate and fertile soil.

Coffee farmers are always searching for the perfect soil conditions that encourage the growth of top-quality arabica coffee plants. The soil should be rich in humus and have a smooth texture that drains well. This type of soil is perfect for arabica cultivation, since it promotes healthy roots and helps to minimize the risk of developing plant diseases.

In addition to a soil that has the right humus content, coffee farms prefer a cooler climate with a distinct dry season. These weather patterns allow the plants to mature more slowly, which results in the production of a more dense and delicious bean.

Well-Drained soil

The Arabicica coffee beans that are high-grown are characterized by a sophisticated and complex flavor, in contrast to the low-elevation species grown for mass production. The coffee trees are shaded by tall canopy trees and the volcanic soil is full of nutrients. This provides the ideal conditions for the cultivation of these particular beans. The soil is abundant in nutrients, allowing the roots to absorb them, but drains quickly so that there aren't any 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 flowers are small, white, and sweet and are often referred to as cherries. The drupes are double-seeded and mature when they are they are purple or red. The arabica plant can self-fertilize and does not require cross pollination to produce fruit.

The cooler climate at higher elevations slows the growth cycle of the coffee plant, allowing it to mature more slowly. This allows the beans to develop deeper flavors. This translates to a richer and more complex flavor that is much more potent than coffees from lower elevations.

At these high altitudes, temperatures are cooler, and the air more humid. The cool weather is ideal for the coffee plant's sensitive growth, and helps to suppress the spread of diseases and pests that plague lower elevation crops.

Because of the unique soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude coffee farms can produce far more beans than low-elevation farms. This is the reason you'll typically find these top coffee beans in specialty cafes and premium coffee roasters.

When growing your own arabica plant pay close attention to the specific requirements of your plant and choose a soil mix that aligns with those needs. Avoid commercial mixes that could be too heavy in the ingredients and do not allow the roots of your plant to thrive. Compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil in order to improve the retention of water, but without creating a cement-like surface. Water your plant only when the soil feels dry to the surface. Avoid excessive or submerging which can cause root rot.

Unique Flavors

The distinctive flavor profile of arabica beans makes them highly sought after. They are more affluent and nuanced than other coffee types that have notes of chocolate, caramel, fruit and flowers. The attention to detail that is taken during growing and roasting produces a smoother, sweeter flavor. These beans are also less acidic and contain less caffeine than other varieties. They are therefore less bitter and are easier 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. The most affluent beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are cultivated in volcanic soils and other rich soils that produce small fruit called coffee cherries.

These cherries contain two seeds inside them. As the seeds mature they are separated from their outer layer of flesh and roasted to make coffee. Arabica beans are regarded as a premium coffee bean since they are more expensive and have more flavor.

The high altitudes at which arabica beans are grown is one of the most important factors that affect their taste and quality. The cooler climate and the fertile volcanic soils make freshly brewed arabica coffee beans beans taste better than beans grown at lower elevations. The higher elevations also have a positive impact on the maturation of coffee beans. This is because the cooler temperatures slow down the process of growing beans and gives them the time to mature and develop a savoury and rich taste.

Each region has its own distinctive flavor and characteristic. The single estate arabica coffee beans beans from Central America are known to have a balanced composition with a light dark roast arabica coffee beans body. Those from Ethiopia and Kenya on the other hand, are renowned for having a savory-sweet flavor. Each region and country has a distinct soil type and this is the reason each coffee has its own distinct flavor. Certain soils can hold water well and produce a rich chocolaty taste, whereas others have a sand-like texture which makes the coffee taste lighter.