Coffee Arabica: what is the variety

If you’re a coffee aficionado or even just a fan, it’s likely that you will have heard of the Arabica coffee blend. The Arabica species of bean is one of the most popular and highly regarded types of coffee in the world. But what is it about this particular blend that makes it so popular? To find out what is so special about Arabica coffee, keep on reading.

Arabica coffee, scientifically known as Coffea arabica, is one of the two primary species of coffee cultivated for consumption, the other being Robusta. Dating back to 1000 B. C., it originally comes from the Kingdom of Kefa, located in nowadays Ethiopia, Sub-Saharan Africa. Arabica coffee accounts for about 60% of the world’s coffee production and the beans are known for their smooth, complex flavours and are often used in premium coffee blends.

The common consensus is that Arabica plants first grew in Ethiopia, and the Arabica bean still remains one of the country’s biggest exports today. In the 7th century, the Arabica beans were brought from Ethiopia to what was then called Arabia, which is where the original name of ‘Arabian’ came from. From then, Coffee arabica was cultivated in Arabia for domestic consumption, and the coffee it produced became popular as a social beverage, mainly as an alternative to alcoholic drinks, which are forbidden for Muslims.

After the invasion of the Turks occurred in 1583, coffee beans spread to the Egyptian civilization and later across the European powers of that time. Arabica is now to be considered worldwide as the most popular and consumed coffee bean.

Arabica beans are distinct in their shape and aromatic profile. They are generally oval with a curved crease on one side. These beans are delicate and require specific growing conditions, such as higher altitudes, between 600 and 2000 meters, adequate rainfall, and moderate temperatures, to thrive. This sensitivity to the environment contributes to their nuanced flavour, which can range from sweet and tangy to fruity and floral.

Here’s why Arabica coffee grows all along the tropical Equatorial strip. Hence, it is no surprise if its biggest producers are located in Central and South America and in several African and Asian territories.

What is so special about Arabica coffee? What characterize its distinctive, unique taste from the other varieties of coffee? Why is it generally more expensive and high-quality perceived? First of all, this variety of coffee bean is prized for its unique characteristics, like its nuanced flavour profile and lower caffeine content compared with other varieties of coffee. The cultivation process of Arabica coffee requires specific climatic conditions - cooler temperatures, higher altitudes and plenty of rainfall - which contribute to its superior quality. Arabica coffee is also less bitter than other varieties, making it more palatable.

Another factor among those making Arabica coffee more desirable and prestigious when compared to the other types is properly linked to its fewer hardy plants, a feature which makes them more expensive to source. They are also more susceptible to pests and – as already mentioned - need specific climactic conditions, including low acidity soils, regular and distributed rainfall throughout the year and an average temperature of around 20° C.