Arabica coffee is the best because they are the most consistent in terms of quality, taste, and abundance of complex flavor. These popular coffee beans are named after the tree they are grown on.
Given that Arabica coffee is a little bit harder to grow than other types of coffee trees, it can help reduce the ability for major coffee brands to exploit the resource and the people who farm it. While it’s not always a possibility, Arabica beans can be found ethically sourced with responsible farming practices.
What Is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica coffee beans are grown on an Arabica coffee tree, and the beans tend to be oval shaped. These coffee trees are native to Ethiopia, which is one of the many reasons Ethiopia is highly regarded as the best country for coffee in the world.
The first Arabica coffee trees were grown in Ethiopia, where they naturally occurred. When they were discovered by Arab merchants, the beans were taken back to Yemen to be grown and roasted. Arabica beans eventually made their way to Europe as well.
Where Do Arabica Coffee Beans Grow?
The Arabica coffee trees like a subtropical climate without too many variations in temperature, and they don’t like cold weather. Some countries that typically grow Arabica coffee include Brazil, India, Ethiopia, Colombia, and various countries throughout South America.
Are There Different Types Of Arabica Coffee Beans?
There are different varieties of Arabica coffee beans, and they can all taste a little bit different depending on the region where the coffee trees grow. Things like soil, weather, and farming practices can all contribute to the complexity of a coffee bean’s flavor.
Varieties of Arabica beans include Bourbon, Ethiopian Landrace, Typica, Pacarmara, and Maragogype. Arabica coffee trees also like to grow at high elevations, so they tend to be seen on hillsides in different regions where they are grown.
Why Is Arabica Coffee Popular?
Arabica coffee beans are actually used in over half of the world’s coffee production. People tend to prefer Arabica coffee because of how nuanced the flavor within the beans can be when brewed, regardless of preferred brew style.
Does Arabica Coffee Taste Better Than Other Coffee?
The Arabica coffee bean can be used in a variety of coffee machines, and will come in different roasts like other types of coffee. These beans have a reputation for being able to deliver good quality, tasty coffee much more often than other types of beans.
Some other types of beans have a tendency to taste burnt when they are brewed, or are way too bitter for a coffee drinker’s liking. Arabica coffee tends to have a nice balance between sweetness and bold flavor.
What Does Arabica Coffee Taste Like?
Arabica coffee beans will vary in taste depending on how they’re roasted, but they tend to have a smooth, sweet flavor and mouthfeel. It’s a preferred coffee for those who appreciate the flavor of coffee, and like their coffee to be more acidic. Arabica beans also have more naturally occurring sugars, which lends itself to its overall sweet flavors.
When this coffee is referred to as acidic, this means there is a slight bite on the tongue and in the mouth when the coffee is consumed. It’s part of what makes coffee so satisfying and unique.
What Types Of Flavor Notes Are In Arabica Coffee?
Arabica coffee beans will usually have a rich and delicious chocolate, caramel, or nut flavor profile, making for a satisfying cup. They can also have fruity notes, such as berries, since coffee beans are actually berries.
There is less of a chance for Arabica coffee beans to have a bland flavor, or taste spoiled or burnt like other types of coffee. Of course, there are tricks to the trade, which includes using the right type of water and keeping your brewing machines clean.
Is Arabica Coffee The Healthiest?
Arabica coffee beans have less caffeine than other popular beans, so it can help wake people up but will not make them as jittery as other types of coffee. They are also rich in antioxidant benefits and low in calories when brewed and enjoyed black.
Additionally, the bean has minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and riboflavin. It is also less likely to dehydrate you than other types of coffee, unless you drink a ton of it.
Why Is Arabica Coffee More Expensive?
Arabica coffee is more expensive because, even though it makes up a lot of the world’s coffee, it is harder to grow. The Arabica coffee tree isn’t as climatized to various regions like other coffee trees are, so it can’t be farmed or grown as much as other beans.
Why Is Some Arabica Coffee More Expensive Than Other Arabica Coffee?
Believe it or not, the two most popular types of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta, often get mixed together by coffee makers. This is because it helps to make the coffee cheaper to produce. When a person sees Arabica on the package, they will instantly believe it’s better coffee, so they are prone to purchase it, even if it doesn’t end up being pure Arabica beans.
Thus, when coffee is packaged with 100% Arabica coffee beans, it’s going to run up a higher price tag.
What Other Types Of Coffee Are There?
There are many types of coffee, but the second most well-known coffee bean is the Robusta. The Robusta bean can be found in many countries, including Brazil, Vietnam, and different parts of Africa. Stenophylla and Liberica are more coffee varieties, but they aren’t as widespread.
Are Arabica Beans Ethically Sourced?
Unfortunately, the coffee industry still has a long way to go to ensure responsible farming methods, proper wages for coffee farmers, and exploitation needs to be reduced. The type of coffee bean used doesn’t always determine whether or not the coffee is ethically sourced.
It’s best to do research, and read labels thoroughly to see where the beans are from and whether or not the brand has any certifications on their labels.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.