7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your High Grown Arabica Coffee Beans

High Grown direct trade arabica coffee beans Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans are characterized by a distinctive flavor. Contrary to their lower elevation counterpart, Robusta, which has more resistance to pests and diseases, Arabica is more susceptible.

High-grown arabica is a sought-after variety that is found in high-end coffee shops and specialty roasters. But what makes this type of coffee so popular? Scientists have uncovered the reason behind this: altitude.

High Altitudes

With a long history that stretches from Ethiopia and Yemen to lower Africa the coffee has made its way into the hearts of many, and is an enormous portion of global production today. Although low-elevation beans are commercially viable and is the basis for the instant brew found in grocery stores, true aficionados look for specialty arabicas that are grown at higher altitudes to produce a more complex flavor profile.

The mountains of the world's top coffee producing countries - Central and South America, Southern Asia and a few Pacific Islands, and mid to southern Africa -- provide the ideal growth conditions for high-grown arabica coffee beans. These high-elevation regions are frost-free and provide a temperate atmosphere with an average annual temperature of 64-73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooler temperatures in the mountains slow the growth cycle of the coffee plant and permit it to mature at a slower pace. This allows the coffee beans to absorb a variety of flavors from their surrounding environment and impart them with distinctive characteristics. The extended maturation can also help to prevent the coffee berry borer, a small beetle that infests and eats the beans, as well as the coffee leaf miner, a moth that inhibits photosynthesis and reduces productivity.

The combination of these elements creates a more palatable flavor and taste profile when in comparison to lower elevation coffees. Coffee grown higher up has more sweet flavors, such as fruit, citrus and vanilla. It's also more rich and smoother than coffee that is grown lower down. Roasters love this coffee due to its sweetness, richness of flavor and consistency.

High-grown arabica is usually referred to as strictly high-grown (SHG) or strictly hard bean (SHB) which means that the coffee is grown at a higher altitude than 4000 feet. Typically the beans are grown on volcanic soil and are shade-grown or organically cultivated which adds to their already impressive flavor profiles. These beans are drier due to their maturation and growth slower than those grown at lower altitudes. This results in more robust and consistent coffee. This distinctive characteristic makes SHG and SHB arabica a preferred choice of coffee for roasters who want to make a great cup.

Cool Climate

The tropical zone that stretches across the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, also known as the coffee belt is one of the most sought-after coffee-growing regions. High-quality arabica coffee beans are grown in these mountains where the cooler climate and high altitudes provide the ideal conditions for the plant to thrive.

Arabica plants can withstand the most diverse climate conditions. However, their greatest development occurs in subtropical areas with cool nights and warm daytime temperatures. This unique climate permits the plant to develop complex flavors that express the freedom of. These flavors are what make the coffee we love so special.

While the low-elevation varieties of coffee that line the instant coffee aisles at your local supermarket can grow quickly, experts and aficionados alike know that these types are more bitter and less flavorful than specialty coffee beans grown at higher altitudes. The majority of coffee consumed across the world is high altitude coffee.

The finest arabica coffee beans tend to be cultivated between 3000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. The combination of high altitude, cool climate, and fertile soil is the reason these beans are unique and delicious.

Coffee farmers are always looking for the ideal soil conditions that encourage the growth of high-quality arabica coffee plants. Ideally, the soil should have a high humus content with a well-draining texture. This type of soil is perfect for arabica plants, since it aids in maintaining healthy roots and to reduce the risk of plant diseases.

In addition to a soil that has the right humus content, coffee farms prefer a cool climate with a distinct dry season. These conditions permit plants to mature more slowly, resulting in a more flavorful and dense bean.

Well-Drained soil

In contrast to the low-elevation species which are cultivated to produce mass quantities and line the aisles of supermarkets The high-quality arabica beans are sought-after by aficionados for their complex and sophisticated flavor. The coffee trees are sheltered by tall canopy trees, and the volcanic soil is abundant in nutrients. This makes the perfect conditions for growing these special beans. The soil is able to allow the roots to absorb the nutrients they require but also drains quickly, preventing stagnant puddles of water that limit root growth and oxygen intake.

Arabian coffee plants have a long taproot as well as thin fibrous roots that stretch outwards for 3 to 4 ft (0.9-1.2 meters). The flowers are small, white and sweet and are often referred to as cherries. They are two-seeded and ripe when they are purple or red. The plant's highland arabica coffee beans can self-fertilize and doesn't require cross pollination in order to produce fruit.

The cooler temperatures at higher elevations slows the growth rate of the coffee plant which allows it to mature more slowly. This allows the beans to develop deeper flavors. This results in a coffee that is more affluent and complex, with a much stronger taste than coffees grown at lower altitudes.

At high altitudes the temperatures are lower and the air is more humid. The cool weather is perfect for the delicate coffee plant's growth, and also helps to suppress the spread of pests and diseases that plague lower-elevation crops.

Due to the unique soil and climate characteristics, high-altitude farms can produce more beans than farms that are located at lower elevations. This is the reason you'll often find these superior coffee beans in specialty cafes as well as high-end coffee roasters.

If you are planning to grow your own Arabica plant, ensure that you be aware of the particular needs of this plant and use a mix of soil that is compatible with these needs. Avoid commercial mixes that contain excessive ingredients that could hinder the roots of your plant from developing. Incorporate compost or other organic matter to improve retention of water without creating a concrete-like surface. Water your plant once the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid excessive or under-watering which can cause root decay.

Unique Flavors

The unique flavor profile of arabica beans makes them extremely sought-after. They are more sophisticated and nuanced in taste than other coffees, and have notes of flowers, fruit, caramel and chocolate. The care taken in growing and roasting produces a smoother, sweeter flavor. They also have less acidity and caffeine than other varieties which makes them less bitter and easier to drink.

Arabica beans are grown in mountainous regions around the globe which are part of the Coffee Belt. The Coffee Belt is a tropical region which extends 30 degrees north or south of the Equator. The best arabica coffee beans in the world beans are grown in this region. The coffee plants are grown in volcanic soils as well as other fertile soils that produce small fruits called coffee cherries.

The cherries contain two seeds within them. The seeds are separated from the fleshy outer layer when they begin to ripen, and then are ground and roasted to make a cup of coffee. Arabica beans are considered to be a premium coffee bean due to the fact that they are more expensive and have greater flavor.

The altitudes at which arabica beans are grown are one of the major factors that affect their taste and quality. The cool climate, the fertile volcanic soils and the cooler climate makes arabica beans taste much better than those grown at lower elevation. The higher altitudes can have a positive effect on the maturation process of coffee beans. This is because the cooler temperatures slow down the process of growing beans, which gives them time to mature and develop a rich and satisfying taste.

Each region has its own distinct flavors and characteristics. The arabica beans of Central America are known to possess a balanced blend with a light body. The beans from Ethiopia and Kenya, on the contrary, are noted for having a savory-sweet flavor. Each region or country has a distinct soil type, which is why each coffee has its own distinct flavor. Certain soils are able to hold water and give a rich chocolaty taste, whereas others have a sandy texture that makes the coffee taste lighter.