The best arabica coffee beans in the world (Full Article)

Many people are unaware that the coffee beans at your favorite cafe or at the supermarket aren't arabica. This type of bean grows best in regions with high altitudes and has a smoother sweeter, more nutty flavor.

The terroir (or place of origin) of the coffee beans can have a huge impact on the flavor. This is the reason why single origin arabicas are highly sought-after.

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

This coffee is known for its citrus and floral qualities. The top-quality beans are grown on small farms that are located in the Oromia Region (formerly Harrar), at altitudes of between 1,400 and 2,000 meters. The natural process gives an intense sweetness and berry flavor.

The elevations high in Yirgacheffe permit the coffee plants to grow slower, allowing them to absorb the nuances and flavors of the surrounding environment. The region is characterized by an arid climate that is ideal for the cultivation of coffee.

The green beans that are not roasted in this coffee are a fantastic option for roasters who want to bring out the true essence of this exotic bean. Light to medium roasts allow the citrus, berry and wine flavors to shine through. Pairs well with desserts that complement these flavors, such as lemon chocolate or pound cake. The floral and herbal notes of this coffee also can be enjoyed with spicy dishes or sour.

2. Colombian Supremo

It is known for its consistent quality and taste, Colombian Supremo is a well-loved choice for coffee enthusiasts of all levels. Typically, it has a smooth, classic flavor profile that has notes of light caramel and citrus, Supremo beans have an overall mild taste that's well-rounded enough for many palates.

Bean size plays an important factor in the flavor profile of Colombian coffee and Supremo beans are distinguished by their size. This larger size implies that the beans will generally go through Grade 14 (or higher) perforations on the sieve, which is lower than the grade of Excelso.

With strict quality standards, a vibrant acidity, and a moderately smoky body, Colombian Supremo has a universal appeal which makes it a good choice for any brewing technique. This particular coffee comes from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who are part of the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that assists over 500,000 coffee growers. As such, this coffee is an example of the top-quality Colombian beans that have been renowned for its world-class coffees.

3. Jamaican Blue Mountain

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought-after gourmet coffees around the world. Its smooth, rich taste makes it one of its most sought-after varieties. This wet-processed Jamaican Blue Mountain variety is famous for its sophistication and smoothness. It's also an important ingredient in the coffee liquor Tia Maria.

The Blue Mountains, with their steep elevations, fertile soils, mild climates and dense clouds, provide the perfect environment for coffee production of top quality. The beans from this small region are highly sought-after and fetch high prices because of their rarity.

Like the name suggests, Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown in the Blue Mountain district, a stretch of 6,000 acres on the island that's known for its stunning natural beauty and the cultivation of coffee. The area is designated an official national park. farmers cultivate small lots of coffee with care to preserve the distinctive characteristics of the beans.

4. Costa Rican Tarrazu

A coffee lover's dream, Costa Rican Tarrazu is an ideal balance of body and acidity. The high grown arabica coffee beans altitudes of the region and the volcanic soil's mineral richness allow for a slower ripening process, allowing the beans to develop their full flavor profile.

Many of these farms are also recognized for their sustainable practices and strict measures to control quality which makes them popular among eco-conscious consumers. Some of them provide traceability, so that consumers can know more about the farm that produced their coffee.

One World Roasters' Tarrazu is a great illustration of the distinctive flavor profile of the region, featuring aromas of vibrant grapefruits and rich dark chocolate. Its medium body is well-rounded and balanced, resulting in an elegant finish that is sure to delight your taste buds.

5. Colombian Caturra

Caturra, a coffee cultivar is now the most popular name in Latin America. The cultivar was first introduced in Brazil as a result of a natural mutation of Bourbon. Its production potential was superior to Bourbon but it needed higher altitudes, which resulted in lower yields. The process of mass selection was employed to identify parent plants that did exceptionally well. Bulk seed from these parents was then produced and the process was repeated.

Colombian Caturra has an excellent yield and is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of the two parents of the Castillo which was developed by Cenicafe to be the flag plant for their "Colombia sin roya", a program aimed at recovering coffee production in Colombia.

This vintage Caturra, grown at 2,000m by farmers in Urrao and was processed by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality shows lively acidity that is flavored with watermelon, strawberry and citrus.

6. French Roast

French Roast is a strong cup of coffee with smoky, charred notes. This premium blend arabica coffee beans is a combination of arabica beans from several regions that have rich flavor like caramel and chocolate. The beans are roasted darkly to bring out their natural flavors and oils. This blend is of high quality and will please the most sophisticated taste buds.

These beans are more difficult than other coffee varieties to grow because they require specific climate conditions to thrive. The plants need a specific amount of sunlight and rain and must be protected from frost and drought.

These beans are high in antioxidants which can boost your energy and improve your overall health. The antioxidants contained in these beans help fight free radicals which can cause chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Additionally they are sources 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 called, was discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was then brought to Panama in the 1960s, and quickly became renowned for its strong floral scents, full body, and delicate acidity from citric.

Geisha is among the most expensive varieties of coffee on the market, as it's highly prone to disease and requires high growing altitudes with a lower fruit yield. These features make it difficult to produce consistently. This, in conjunction with its high score on the cup, drives the price.

This particular batch of Gesha was honey processed (not real honey, but the beans are treated and then dipped in water that contains sugar) and then moved to a marquee to dry for 96 hours with carbonic maceration. This unique process enhances the complexity and taste of this coffee. OMA is a complex and balanced cup profile, with exotic florals such as jasmine, tea rose and delicate citrus, stone fruits and citrus.

8. Indonesian Liberica

Coffee lovers are mostly familiar with two species of the Coffea genus: arabica and robusta. The former accounts for 80percent of all coffee sold around the world, while the second only makes up 20 percent. There are more than 120 known species belonging to the genus and some are far less well-known than others.

The most popular non-arabica is Coffea Excelsa (or var. dewevrei). This variety is found on large trees at medium altitudes and produces a teardrop-shaped beans. It is commonly used in blends, and can provide a distinct lingering finish to your cup.

It's not as well-known in Southeast Asia as arabica but it is still a niche market. This is largely because of the demand generated by religion as Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink their coffee following prayers. Liberica's resistance to rusty coffee leaf and its low levels of caffeine makes it a viable alternative for those who don't have enough money to invest in artisanal arabica coffee beans.

9. Brazilian Exelsa

While Excelsa is incredibly resilient and productive, it requires more focus from farmers to manage than other Coffea arabica or canephora varieties. This is due in part to the asymmetrical bean size that is larger than canephora or arabica. It also has a longer fruiting period and its leaves are bigger than other C. liberica varieties. Furthermore, its high production levels means that it can reach a height of 15 meters and produce a large amount of fruit.

According to Oliveiro it's a pity that the plant has been misunderstood so much - even though it was reclassified as the dewevrei variety of liberica in 2006, because it can be "a very good coffee maker". However, without a commodity market and a comparatively low demand for the species, the switch is unlikely. For those who are willing and able to invest in the time and effort needed to cultivate it, the advantages of excelsa beans are evident. They tend to be lower in caffeine than premium arabica coffee beans for espresso or canephora and have a denser and less soluble mucus.