Have you noticed that the word “Arabica” has been cropping up more and more in coffee? I have. McDonald’s mentions it in advertising, grocery stores have it written on their bags of coffee, and hipster coffee shops would not dream of using anything else. But…
What does Arabica Coffee beans mean? Arabica coffee is coffee grown on a species of coffee tree called Coffea arabica, and it is the most common species of coffee produced. Arabica beans produce a higher quality cup of coffee.
Like a granny smith is an apple that grows on a particular species of an apple tree, the arabica coffee beans grow on a specific species of a coffee tree. There are hundreds of other species of coffee trees, but they’re much rarer, and it’s unlikely you’ll hear of them. With one exception, Robusta.
Continue reading for a quick overview of everything you need to know about Arabica Coffee, including why it’s said to be the best species of coffee bean.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica Coffee beans account for about 60% of the coffee drank and is considered high quality. They brew coffee with many different taste profiles including…
- Chocolate
- Floral
- Fruity
- Low acidity
- Caramels
Arabica coffee are beans of the coffee arabica plant that originated in Ethiopia.
They are a little trickier to grow as it only grows at higher elevations between the tropic of cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. It is also less resistant to disease and pests, but it sure is delicious. Due to the specific climate needed to grow and their delicateness, Arabica beans are more expensive to grow and purchase.
Some of the top countries to grow Arabica beans are Colombia, Honduras, Peru, Guatemala, and Brazil; with Brazil being the largest producer of arabica coffee.
Not to make things more complicated, but it’s important to note that not all Arabica is equal. All coffee is graded and scored. The superior Arabica Beans are then separated so the farmer can sell it for more.
Health Benefits of Arabica Coffee
When consumed in moderation, coffee made with arabica beans have some health benefits when drank everyday. Coffee is full of antioxidants and other nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and manganese. Arabica beans have also shown to have higher levels of Chlorogenic acids when compared to Robusta.
Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta is the second most-produced coffee species that originated in Africa. They are not considered as good of quality when compared to Arabica beans.
To know why Arabica is considered the best, we need to understand why Robusta is considered less superior. It all comes down to taste; Robusta simply doesn’t taste as good. It’s a bit woodier. However, it’s a much hardier plant than Arabica.
It can be grown at lower altitudes and in much harsher conditions, making it much cheaper to produce. Robusta coffee plants are not as susceptible to pests either.
When cost is prioritized over flavor, such as in producing instant coffee, Robusta is bought.
I don’t want to completely bash Robusta coffee beans. It isn’t all bad. Traditionally, Robusta has been used in many Italian espressos. Coffee made with Robusta beans can taste stronger and earthier. If you like your coffee to give you a boost in the morning, you’ll be happy to hear Robusta contains about double the amount of caffeine than Arabica.
Which Cafes use Arabica Coffee Beans?
You will likely be drinking Arabica Coffee every time you order a coffee from Starbuck, Caffe Nero, or Costa. Interestingly, when I worked in a Caffe Nero as a student, they were keen to tell me they had a five bean blend (5 different beans from 5 different places mixed together).
At least one of those was a Robusta – this is part of what gives Caffé Nero’s coffee a much stronger and bitter taste (usually associated with traditional Italian coffee).
McDonalds recently stated they only use Arabica in their espresso-based drinks to prove to the public they’re just as good as the chain coffee shops. But is it good Arabica? Well, they do sell an awful lot of coffee, so many people think so.
Where Can I Buy Arabica Coffee Beans?
The best Arabica coffee beans are those that score the highest marks for quality and flavor, and are classified as specialty coffee. They can be bought online from specialty coffee roasters who will roast your coffee to order, then post it out to you or in specialty coffee shops (these are the ones that take their coffee very seriously).
Arabica most likely won’t be written on these bags of coffee because they only use Arabica. What you will see on the bag is what country the coffee was grown in, what variety of Arabica coffee it is (that are many varieties of Arabica coffee including Bourbon, Caturra and Catuai), the altitude it was grown at, and a description of the inherent flavors you will find in those particular coffee beans. The name of the coffee will probably relate to the farm it was grown on as well.
You won’t find much specialty coffee in your local supermarket, but you will still find plenty of Arabica. It will be less expensive than the coffee from a specialty roaster too. A quick tip, bags of coffee are often blends of a few different beans like an “Italian Blend,” so some will say 100% Arabica on the bag. This is to show they have mixed in any Robusta.
Related Reading: How can you tell the quality of coffee beans?
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Final Thoughts
Now that you have a better understanding of what Arabica Coffee beans are and where they are grown, hopefully you can see why they are considered superior over other coffee beans. Although the cost is a bit more, bottom line is coffee made with Arabica beans will be the best coffee you could have!