Ask anyone to name a favorite coffee sort, and you will most likely hear Arabica in response. What is Arabica coffee? It is the most famous and popular coffee in the world that has been cultivated for many centuries. This sort is known for the diversity of flavors and aromas. Depending on harvesting and processing methods, Arabica can boast a wide range of brands and blends. Every coffee lover can find the best variant of this invigorating by tasting.
What Do We Call Arabica?
Arabica is a type of coffee tree that is called the Arabian Coffee Tree. Such a plant grows at an altitude of 800 -2200 meters above sea level on mountain plateaus and volcanic slopes, at an average temperature of 14 to 25 degrees Celsius.
- The Arabica tree can reach a height of more than 8 meters, but farmers specially cut it and do not allow it to grow very tall for easy harvesting.
- The Arabica tree is not as fertile as the Robusta tree. On average, you can harvest 5 kilograms from one plant equal to 1 kilogram of coffee beans after processing. Almost all Arabica is harvested by hand.
- Arabica blooms at the end of the rainy season. The full ripening of berries takes an average of 9 months.
Arabica is a very inconsistent plant that needs care. It grows only in certain areas with a particular type of soil and sufficient rainfall. Also, the Arabica tree is very susceptible to various diseases. That is why Arabica is more expensive than Robusta.
Varieties Of Arabica Tree
There are many varieties of a wild coffee tree called Coffea arabica L. var. abyssinica that ethnically grows in the mountain forests of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). This species is not cultivated, and grains are not sold. You can also raise a wild coffee tree in Sudan.
In the agricultural industry, only two types of coffee trees are used for cultivation:
- Coffea arabica L. var. arabica;
- Coffea arabica L. var. bourbon.
It is necessary to add that in addition to the main types of the coffee tree, there are a huge number of botanically described mutants and artificially grown forms of Arabica. But economic and commercial interest are such types of coffee as:
- Coffea arabica L. cv. Caturra (rooty fertile tree);
- Coffea arabica L cv. Mundo novo (high yield);
- Coffea arabica L. cv. Catuai vermelho (red berries);
- Coffea arabica L. cv. Catuai amarelo (yellow berries);
- Coffea arabica L. cv. Maragogipe (huge tree);
- Coffea arabica L. cv. Mokka (low tree).
Taste Range
Answering the question “what is Arabica coffee?” it is necessary to describe the taste. The taste of pure Arabica can be very different. These are delicate flowers, berries, lime, honey, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, or black tea. The grain of washed alpine Arabica contains a large number of amino acids. In general, the taste is influenced by:
- Growing conditions (climate, soil);
- Processing method;
- Degree of roasting;
- Degree of grinding.
In most cases, the taste of coffee depends on the blend (mixture of grains) and the method of brewing. The range of Arabica flavors includes a wide range: from sweet and soft to tart and spicy. The dry and semi-dry method of processing gives the smell of grains of blueberry notes. But roasted coffee beans have a fruity, sweet aroma.
More Advantages
The main feature of Arabica is the relatively low caffeine content. The organism perceives the increased concentration of caffeine as a threat to its functioning. It leads to the launch of protective functions and the production of cortisol - a stress hormone.
In the case of Arabica, the level of caffeine kept in grains within 1% makes your body produce serotonin - the hormone of joy. This helps to improve mood and increase energy in general.
In the finished drink, the taste of Arabica is conveyed by pleasant sweet notes with a diverse range of flavors, depending on the sort of grains. All these taste properties are manifested because Arabica has twice as much fructose in its composition compared to Robusta.
Arabica Coffee Varieties
Manufacturers offer many options for Arabica coffee. Their properties depend directly on the place of origin and the method of roasting beans and grinding. The modern coffee industry counts about 50 varieties - the most popular varieties: Bourbon, Typica, Maragogype.
Hybrid varieties such as Blue Mountain, Garnica, Brazilian Mundo Novo, Mibirizi are also popular. Each of them differs in the unique aroma, unique taste qualities. In addition to different coffee varieties, grinding and roasting also influence the Arabica taste. Answering “What is Arabica coffee?” It is crucial to look through the world’s popular coffee varieties.
Arabica Yellow Bourbon
It is considered one of the best coffee sorts. It got its name because of the color of ripe grains - it has a yellowish tone. Another feature of the ripe berries of this variety is a thin shell, so they are dried directly on the branches. Bourbon gives a unique taste. It is rich and balanced and delightful.
Arabica Jamaica Blue Mountain
Meet an elite variety of Arabica. You can buy it at a very high cost. This coffee is grown on the island of Jamaica, on the Blue Mountain, hence its name. It has a mild taste without bitterness, a bright aroma, and a hint of rum. Why rum? The taste appears due to the tradition of transporting coffee grains in wooden barrels of rum. The drink also became famous as a favorite coffee of special agent James Bond. But most of all, it is preferred in Japan. That is why up to 80% of the crop is exported to this country.
Arabica Nepal Everest Organic
This is one of the rarest types of Arabica and belongs to the exclusive. The unique trees were planted in 1994 in Nepal. Coffee trees grow in particular conditions so that the berries have a special taste and aroma. It is a bit tart with a nutty flavor and a slight sourness with a long pleasant aftertaste.
Arabica Bali
It is grown in Bali – a trendy tourist island. The coffee is developed with high quality, unsurpassed taste, and specific aroma.
Kopi Luwak
What is Arabica coffee without this popular elite variety? It is grown in Indonesia on the islands of Java and Sumatra. It tastes like caramel with chocolate notes. This coffee variety acquires unusual properties when it comes out of the civets’ stomach. Animals simply eat ripe fruit. And they can choose only the highest quality, ripe and juicy. The grains are not digested but come out naturally. Then they are collected, washed, and dried. And then fry and present to consumers. Fans of this variety claim that no other type of coffee can have such a refined taste.
Arabica Sumatra
It is grown in the highlands on the island of the same name. It has high strength and a persistent aroma. The taste of Sumatra Arabica has a tartness and a hint of bread. The berries are dried in the fresh air and released from the shell by hand.
Arabica Burundi
It is grown in Africa, in the small state of Burundi. The coffee is characterized by a rich sour taste and rich aroma.
Arabica Kenya
Coffee trees of this variety are growing in the highlands of Kilimanjaro, where the climate is very favorable. This type of coffee is classified as a premium class, and it is one of the most popular in this category. Coffee lovers highly value its delicious taste and aroma. You can feel citrus notes and wine aftertaste. Depending on the temperature of the drink, the taste may differ. The flavor largely depends on the roasting of the beans. This type of coffee is sold green so that everyone can get the desired taste.
Brazil Santos
It is grown on the territory of the coffee giant of the same name. It is divided into 8 more subspecies. It has a small grain size, high caffeine content, and a noticeable nutty taste.
Bourbon Santos
This is half of all coffee produced in Brazil. We will feel creamy notes, a slight sourness, and a unique sweet aroma in its taste. The aftertaste requires a special mention - incredibly tender, nutty, with chocolate notes.
Among the Brazilian Arabica, we can mention such varieties as Minas, Parana, named after the place of origin.
The Rio variety is less prevalent. It has a sharp, a bit iodine taste.
The taste of iodine can also be felt in a drink made from Victoria grains. Due to the medical taste, both varieties are not used in their pure form. But they give strength in mixtures.
Arabica Merido
It is grown in Venezuela, in the area of the same name. The taste is sweet without the tartness and with a bright aroma.
Arabica Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
What is Arabica coffee in Ethiopia? It is rightly called the best variety of Ethiopian Arabica. It has a delicate aftertaste and a slight wine aroma.
Arabica Ethiopia Harar
This coffee variety is interesting for manufacturers because it may have completely different tastes, depending on cultivation and storage. It can give both fruity notes and spicy.
Mocha
This is the oldest type of Arabica. It grows in the mountains of Yemen. The grains usually do not look very attractive: small in size, crooked. But the appearance is deceptive. The drink’s taste allows you to classify Mocha as an elite variety - refined, with chocolate and wine notes. There is always a high demand for it.
Arabica Kona
Grows in Hawaii. This is an elite variety of coffee, one of the most popular among the premium class. The high cost does not stop fans of mild taste with a barely perceptible tartaric acid and a memorable aroma from enjoying it.
Arabica Peru
Sold with the label “organic”, as it is grown in the Andes highlands without the use of any chemicals. It has a discreet taste with fruity notes and a light aroma.
Arabica Zambia Lupeli
One of the best varieties grown in Africa. Caramel, bitter orange, and herbs are well traced in the taste and aroma of this drink.
Blending Sorts
Monosorts with 100% Arabica grain content are coffee beans taken from trees of the same species.
Mixed varieties are obtained by combining ground grains collected from trees of different types in a certain proportion.
Ground coffee beans collected in different places, on different continents, and even at other times of the year can draw up a remarkable variety. Getting a unique composition is a complex process. It is crucial to hide the negatives of some sorts and emphasize the advantages of others. That is why there are almost no options when combining varieties with sharply opposite or similar properties. In some cases, there is a sense of mixing. It makes sense to take one variety of Arabica but different degrees of roasting.
Creating a new mix is a real art. Sometimes it is enough to combine only two components, and in some cases, all fourteen.
Conclusion
So, what is Arabica coffee? Arabica is a variety of coffee, also named the coffee trees. The name is associated with the origin of plants. The oldest sorts of Arabica came from the countries in the Arab-African region, presumably from Ethiopia. There are many coffee fans in the world. And each has its preferences. Some people like the bitterness of the drink. For others, the shades of aroma are essential. Some people drink coffee just to cheer up.
Fortunately, there are different varieties of coffee Arabica. This variety allows satisfying the tastes of any coffee lover.