Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Best Arabica Coffee Beans In The World

The Best Arabica Coffee Beans in the World Many people are unaware that coffee beans sold at the grocery store or in your favorite cafe are not all arabica. This kind of bean thrives best in areas with high altitudes. It produces smoother and sweeter flavor. The place where coffee beans are grown (aka their terroir) has a major influence on the taste. This is why single origin arabicas are so prized. 1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe This coffee is known for its citrus and floral characteristics. The premium beans are grown on small farms in the Oromia region (formerly Harrar) at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 meters. The natural process gives the flavor of berries and a sweet taste. The elevations high in Yirgacheffe permit the coffee plants to develop slower, which allows them to absorb the distinct flavors of the surrounding area. The region also has a rich tropical climate that is perfect for growing coffee. This coffee is available in green beans that have not been roast. They are perfect for roasters looking to reveal its true essence. Light to medium roasts highlight the citrus, wine and fruity flavors. This coffee pairs well with desserts like lemon chocolate and pound cake. The floral and herbal notes pair well with spicy or sour meals. 2. Colombian Supremo It is known for its consistent quality and flavor, Colombian Supremo is a popular option for coffee lovers of all levels. Supremo beans are renowned for their classic, smooth taste with notes of caramel and citrus. The size of the beans is a major factor in determining their flavor profile. Supremo coffee beans are large. This bigger size means that the beans will go through Grade 14 or higher sieve perforations which is lower than Excelso. Colombian Supremo is a coffee that has universal appeal. Its high quality standards, bright acidity and moderately rich body make it a great choice for any brewing technique. This particular coffee comes from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who are members of the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that supports more than 500,000 coffee farmers. This coffee is an excellent example of the premium Colombian beans that have made Colombia famous for its top-quality coffees. 3. Jamaican Blue Mountain The rich, smooth flavor of Jamaican Blue Mountain is one of the world's most sought after gourmet coffees. This wet-processed selection from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica is renowned for its sophistication and soft taste. It's also a key ingredient in the coffee liqueur Tia Maria. The soaring elevations of the Blue Mountains and their unique combination of fertile soils along with a mild climate and dense cloud cover provide the ideal environment for growing coffee of top quality. The beans from this tiny region are sought-after the world over and fetch high prices for their rarity. As the name suggests, Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown in the Blue Mountain district, a area of 6,000 hectares on the island, which is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and coffee cultivation. The area is protected as National Park, and farmers cultivate small amounts of coffee with care to preserve the distinctive characteristics of the beans. 4. Costa Rican Tarrazu Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee is an absolute delight for coffee lovers. It has the perfect balance of acidity and body. The region has high altitudes as well as a mineral-rich volcanic soil, which permits the beans to mature at a slower pace so they can fully develop their flavor profile. Many of these farms are known for their environmentally-friendly practices and strict controls to ensure quality that make them a favorite with eco-conscious consumers. Some also provide traceability, which allows customers to find out more about the farm that produced their coffee. One World Roasters' Tarrazu is a prime example of the region's characteristic flavor profile, with the vibrant grapefruit notes and lush dark chocolate. Its medium body is well rounded and balanced. This results in a smooth, satisfying end. 5. Colombian Caturra Caturra is a coffee cultivar that has earned an impact in Latin America. This variety was introduced to Brazil as a natural change from Bourbon. Its potential for production was superior to Bourbon but it required higher altitudes and lower yields. The process of mass selection was used to find parent plants that did exceptionally well. Bulk seed from these parents was then produced and the process repeated. Colombian Caturra has high yield and is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of the parents of the Castillo variety, which was developed by Cenicafe as the flag plant for their “Colombia sin roya” program that aims to revitalize and revive coffee production. This historic Caturra was cultivated by farmers in the department of Urrao at 2,000 meters and then carefully roasted by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality displays a vibrant acidity with flavors of citrus, watermelon, and strawberry. 6. French Roast If you're looking for a strong cup of coffee that has smoky and charred notes will enjoy French Roast. This blend combines arabica beans from various regions, offering rich flavors of chocolate and caramel. The beans are darkly roasted to bring out their natural oils and flavor. This blend is of high quality and will satisfy even the most sophisticated taste buds. These beans are more difficult than other coffee varieties to cultivate because they require specific conditions for their growth. The plants require a certain amount of sunlight and rain, and they must be protected from frost and drought. Drinking coffee made of these beans can boost your energy levels and improve your overall health. The antioxidants contained in these beans help fight free radicals which can cause chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. They also contain vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, which are essential for the body's conversion of food into energy. 7. Ethiopian Gesha Geisha, or Gesha as it's also known, was discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was introduced to Panama in the 1960s, and quickly gained a reputation for its strong floral aromas and full body. It also has delicate acidity from citric. Geisha is among the most expensive coffees on the market, as it's highly susceptible to diseases and requires high growing altitudes with a lower yield of fruit. This makes it difficult to consistently produce, which combines with its high scores on the cup to drive up the price. This particular lot of Gesha was processed with honey (not honey itself, but the beans are treated and dipped in water that contains sugar) and then placed on an outdoor marquee to dry for 96 hrs through carbonic maceration. This unique process enhances the complexity and taste of this coffee. OMA has a rich, yet balanced cup profile that is bursting with exotic florals like jasmine, tea rose and delicate citrus, stone fruits and citrus. 8. Indonesian Liberica The majority of coffee enthusiasts are familiar with two species belonging to the Coffea family: arabica, and robusta. The former is responsible for 80% of global coffee trade, while the latter accounts for 20 percent. There are more than 120 recognized species belonging to the genus and some are far less popular than others. Currently, the most well-known non-arabica species is Coffea excelsa (or var. dewevrei). This variety grows on medium-sized trees at medium altitudes, and produces a teardrop shaped bean. It's commonly used in blends and can add an enduring flavor to a cup. It's not as popular in Southeast Asia as arabica but it has its own niche market. This is due to the religious demands in the region, as Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink coffee after their prayers. Liberica's resistance to rust on coffee leaves and its low caffeine content make it a viable alternative for producers who do not have the funds to invest in arabica. 9. Brazilian Exelsa While Excelsa is extremely durable and productive, it also requires more attention from farmers to manage than other Coffea arabica or canephora species. This is in part due to its asymmetrical beans, which are bigger than canephora and arabica. It has a longer time of fruiting, and its leaves are larger than other C. liberica varieties. It can also grow to 15m in height, and produces an abundance of fruits. According to Oliveiro it's a pity that the plant has been misunderstood so much – despite being reclassified as the dewevrei variety of liberica in 2006 – as it is “a very good coffee producer”. However, without a commodities market and a tiny demand for the species, making the change is unlikely. For those who are willing and able to invest in the time and effort to cultivate it, the benefits of excelsa beans are clear. They are less caffeine-rich than arabica or canephora and also have a more dense, less soluble mucus.