The Best Arabica Coffee Beans in the World
Most people don't know that the coffee beans you find in the grocery store or at your favorite cafe are not all arabica. This type of coffee bean grows best at high altitudes, and has a softer flavor.
Where the coffee beans grow (aka their terroir) has a major impact on how they taste. This is the reason why single origin arabicas are highly sought-after.
1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
This coffee is known for its citrus and floral characteristics. The top quality beans are cultivated on small farms in the Oromia region (formerly Harrar) at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,000 meters. The natural process allows for pronounced sweetness and berry flavor.
The high elevations of Yirgacheffe cause the coffee plants to develop more slowly which allows them to absorb the nuances and flavors from the surrounding environment. The region is characterized by a tropical climate, which is ideal for the cultivation of coffee.
This coffee is available in green beans that have not been roast. They are ideal for roasters who want to reveal the true essence. Light medium to medium roasts allow the berry, citrus and wine flavors to shine through. This coffee is great with desserts such as lemon cake, chocolate and pound cake. The herbal and floral notes of this coffee can be enjoyed with food items that are spicy or sour in taste.
2. Colombian Supremo
Colombian Supremo, a coffee that is well-known for its consistency in flavor and quality, is a favorite for coffee lovers of all levels. Typically featuring a smooth, classic flavor profile with notes of light caramel and citrus, Supremo beans have an overall mild taste that's well-rounded enough to suit a wide range of tastes.
Bean size plays a crucial factor in the flavor profile of Colombian coffee and Supremo beans are distinguished by their size. This bigger size means that the beans will generally go through Grade 14 (or higher) perforations in the sieve, which is lower than the grade of Excelso.
Colombian Supremo is a coffee that has universal appeal. Its high-quality standards, bright acidity and moderately rich body make it an excellent choice for any brewing technique. This particular coffee from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who are members of the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that assists over 500,000 coffee growers. This coffee is an example of the top-quality Colombian beans that have made the country famous for its top-quality coffees.
3. Jamaican Blue Mountain
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought-after gourmet coffees in the world. Its rich, smooth flavor makes it one of the most sought-after varieties. This wet-processed coffee from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica is renowned for its sophistication and smooth taste, and it's also a key ingredient in the coffee liqueur Tia Maria.
The soaring peaks of the Blue Mountains and their unique combination of fertile soils, mild climate, and dense cloud cover provide the ideal environment for growing coffee of the highest quality. The beans from this tiny region are sought-after the world over and command high prices because of 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 spectacular natural beauty and the cultivation of coffee. The area is protected by a national park, and farmers cultivate small amounts of coffee with extreme care to preserve their unique qualities.
4. Costa Rican Tarrazu
A coffee lover's dream, Costa Rican Tarrazu is an ideal balance of acidity and body. The high altitudes of the region, as well as the mineral-rich volcanic soil allow for a slower maturing process, which allows the beans to develop their full flavor profile.
Many of the farms that grow these coffees are also renowned for their sustainable practices and strict quality control measures, which make them popular with eco-conscious buyers. Some of them offer traceability to allow customers to know more about the farm that made their coffee.
One World Roasters' Tarrazu is a great illustration of the distinctive flavor profile of the region, featuring the vibrant grapefruit notes and a rich dark chocolate. The medium body is rounded and balanced. This results in a smooth, satisfying finish.
5. Caturra de Colombia
Caturra is a cultivar of coffee that has made a name for itself in Latin America. The variety was introduced to Brazil as a natural mutation from Bourbon. Its production potential is superior to Bourbon however it requires higher altitudes which results in lower yields. The process of mass selection was used to identify parent plants that did exceptionally well. Bulk seed from these parents was then produced and the process was repeated.
Colombian Caturra is a high-yielding plant with exceptional resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of two parents of the Castillo which was developed by Cenicafe to be the main plant for their "Colombia sin roya", which is a program that aims to recover coffee production in Colombia.
This is a family-owned Caturra, grown at 2,000 meters by farmers in Urrao, was roasted by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality is vibrant with the flavors of watermelon, citrus and strawberry.
6. French Roast
French Roast is a strong cup of coffee with smoky, charred notes. This blend is a combination of arabica beans from several regions that provide rich flavors such as chocolate and caramel. The beans are roasted darkly to bring out their natural oils and flavors. This is a premium blend that will please even the most sophisticated palate.
These particular beans are more difficult to cultivate than other coffee varieties because they require very specific climatic conditions to thrive. The plants require a certain amount sunshine and rain and they need to be protected against frost and drought.
These beans are rich in antioxidants which can boost your energy and improve your overall health. The antioxidants found in these beans fight free radicals which can cause chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Additionally, these beans are also a source of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid which is vital for the body to convert food into energy.
7. Ethiopian Gesha
Geisha or Gesha as it's also called, was discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was brought to Panama in the 1960s, where it quickly gained fame for its floral aromas, full-bodied taste, and delicate acidity.
direct trade arabica coffee beans www.coffeee.uk is a very expensive coffee variety. It's susceptible to disease and requires high altitudes to grow. The yield of fruit is also lower. These factors make it difficult to consistently produce and this is paired with its high score on the cup to increase the price.
This particular batch of Gesha was honey processed (not honey itself however the beans are treated, then dipped in water that contains sugar) and then moved to a marquee for drying for 96 hrs through carbonic maceration. This is a unique process that adds to the complexity of this amazing coffee. It also provides OMA a rich and balanced cup profile with exotic florals like jasmine and tea rose and delicate citrus and stone fruits.
8. Indonesian Liberica
Coffee lovers are mostly familiar with two species belonging to the Coffea genus that are called robusta and arabica. The former is responsible for 80% of the world's coffee trade, while the latter is responsible for 20 percent. There are more than 120 species of the genus, and some are less popular than others.
The most well-known non-arabica is Coffea Excelsa (or the variant. dewevrei). This variety is cultivated on medium-sized trees with medium elevations. It produces a teardrop shaped bean. It is often used in blends, and can provide a distinct lingering finish to your cup.
Although it's not as well-known as arabica, it still has an established market in Southeast Asia. This is due to the religious demand for coffee, since Muslims in Malaysia & Indonesia drink coffee after their prayers. Liberica's resistance to coffee leaf rust, and its low caffeine content, make it a desirable alternative for producers who do not have the money to invest in arabica.
9. Brazilian Exelsa
Excelsa is a robust and productive but it also requires more care from farmers than other Coffea arabica species or canephora. This is due to the asymmetrical bean size that is larger than the arabica or canephora. It has a longer duration of fruiting and its leaves are larger than other C. liberica types. It can also grow to 15m in height, and produces a lot of fruit.
Oliveiro believes it's a pity that the plant is often misunderstood despite being classified in 2006 as the dewevrei liberica variety. It is considered a "really good coffee producer". However, without a commodity market and minuscule demand for the species, the switch is unlikely. However, for those willing to invest the time and effort in cultivating it, the benefits are evident: Excelsa beans tend to contain less caffeine than arabica and canephora, and have a thicker mucilage, with less liquid solids.