Arabica beans

Why is the Arabica bean the star among coffees?

Arabica is the all-rounder among coffees. The variety grown by the Coffea arabica Beans originating from these regions account for almost three-quarters of global coffee production due to their delicate aromas and special properties.

What do Arabica beans look like?

Arabica beans are elongated, vividly brown roasted, and have a narrow, S-shaped slit.
They thrive best at altitudes of 800 to 2100 meters, at temperatures between 17°C and 25°C. Therefore, Arabica coffee is also known as mountain or highland coffee. In the wild, the plants can grow up to six meters tall.

What do Arabica beans taste like?

The Arabica bean boasts a broader flavor profile than the Robusta bean. Its aroma reflects the fresh air of the highlands: Arabica impresses with a clear, well-rounded, and slightly sweet taste. Typical are fruity to citrusy notes, which deliberately contribute to its diverse flavor profile. A strong, subtly nuanced fragrance is also characteristic. The dense, brownish-red crema makes Arabica the classic espresso bean in Western culture.

The milder flavor is associated with a relatively low chlorogenic acid content and low caffeine content.

Since coffee tastes vary greatly and there are many excellent growing regions and varieties, it's worth trying different Arabica and Robusta blends, as well as various cuvées. This is the only way to find your personal favorite – whether for espresso, filter coffee, or a capsule machine.

Don't be misled by deceptive names like "Brazil Santos" (just the name of the large coffee port of Santos in Brazil). Although Arabica is often considered superior, there are both excellent Robusta varieties and inferior Arabica products.

Not all that glitters is gold.

Despite its often-perceived noble qualities, the label "100% Arabica" is no guarantee of superior quality. In fact, only about 5 percent of the total harvest is considered high-quality. Just like with wines, there are coffee products with a good name that disappoint in terms of quality – and vice versa.

Anyone looking for a good Arabica blend should therefore not only pay attention to origin, name and mixing ratio, but above all to the quality and taste of the bean.

You won't get further by studying – but by trying!