The Best Arabica Coffee Beans in the World

Many people are unaware that the coffee beans you find in your favorite café or supermarket aren't arabica. This type of coffee plant thrives at higher altitudes, and has a smoother flavor.

The terroir (or the place of origin) of the coffee beans can have a huge impact on the flavor. This is why single-origin arabicas are extremely sought-after.

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

The coffee is known for its citrus and floral characteristics This coffee is an iconic. The premium arabica coffee beans for espresso beans are grown on small farms that are located in the Oromia Region (formerly Harrar), at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 meters. The natural process results in pronounced sweetness and berry flavor.

The high elevations in Yirgacheffe causes the coffee plants to grow more slowly which allows them to absorb flavors and nuances from the surrounding environment. The region is characterized by an arid climate that is perfect for growing coffee.

The unroasted green beans of this coffee are an excellent option for roasters who want to bring out the true essence of this exotic bean. Light to medium roast arabica coffee beans roasts highlight the citrus, wine and the berry flavor. This coffee pairs well with desserts such as lemon chocolate and pound cake. This coffee's herbal and floral notes go well with spicy or sour dishes.

2. Colombian Supremo

It is known for its consistency in quality and flavor, Colombian Supremo is a well-loved choice for coffee enthusiasts of all levels. Typically featuring a smooth, classic flavor profile that has notes of light caramel and citrus, Supremo beans have an overall mild taste that's well-rounded enough for many palates.

The size of the beans is a major factor in determining their flavor profile. Supremo coffee beans are large. This bigger size means that the beans will go through Grade 14 or higher sieve perforations which is lower than Excelso.

With strict quality standards, a bright acidity and moderately rich body, Colombian Supremo has a universal appeal that makes it a great choice for any brewing technique. This particular coffee originates from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who belong to the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that provides support to more than 500,000 coffee farmers. This coffee is a great example of the high quality Colombian beans that have made Colombia famous for its top-quality coffees.

3. Jamaican Blue Mountain

The smooth, rich flavor of Jamaican Blue Mountain is one of the world's most sought-after gourmet coffees. This wet-processed variety from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica is well-known for its sophisticated and soft taste. It's also one of the main ingredients in the coffee liqueur Tia Maria.

The soaring elevations of the Blue Mountains and their unique combination of fertile soil along with a mild climate and dense cloud cover create the ideal environment for growing coffee of top quality. The coffee beans from this tiny region are highly sought-after and fetch a premium price due to their rareness.

Jamaican Blue Mountain, as its name implies, is grown in the Blue Mountain District, a area of 6,000 acres on the island renowned for its natural beauty and the production of coffee. The area is designated National Park, and farmers cultivate small lots of coffee with meticulous care to preserve the distinct characteristics of the beans.

4. Costa Rican Tarrazu

A coffee lover's dream, Costa Rican Tarrazu is a perfect balance of acidity and body. The high altitudes of the region as well as the volcanic soil that is mineral-rich allows for a more gradual maturing process, which allows the beans to create their full flavor profile.

Many of these farms are also well-known for their environmentally-friendly practices and strict controls to ensure quality, which makes them popular for eco-conscious buyers. Some of them provide traceability so that customers can learn more about the farm that made their coffee.

One World Roasters' Tarrazu is a wonderful example of the characteristic flavor profile of the region, featuring the vibrant grapefruit notes and a rich dark chocolate. Its medium-bodied body is well-rounded and balanced with a smooth, silky finish that's guaranteed to delight your taste buds.

5. Caturra de Colombia

Caturra is a coffee cultivar that has earned its name in Latin America. The Caturra variety was first introduced in Brazil as a result of an organic alteration of Bourbon. Its potential for production is superior to Bourbon however it requires higher altitudes which results in lower yields. Growers employed a method known as mass selection to select parents with outstanding performance, then they bulked seed from those parents and repeated the process.

Colombian Caturra has an excellent yield and is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of the parents of the Castillo variety, which was developed by Cenicafe as the official plant for their "Colombia sin roya" program that aims to revitalize and revive coffee production.

This vintage Caturra is cultivated at 2,000m by farmers in Urrao and was roast by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality is vibrant with flavors of watermelon citrus and strawberry.

6. French Roast

French Roast is a strong cup of coffee with the aroma of charred, smoky notes. This blend is a mixture of arabica beans from several regions that have rich flavor like caramel and chocolate. The beans are fresh roasted arabica coffee beans darkly to enhance their natural oils and flavor. This blend is of top quality and will please the most sophisticated palate.

These beans are more difficult than other coffee varieties to grow because they require very specific climate conditions to thrive. The plants need a specific amount of sunlight and rain and must be protected from frost and drought.

Consuming coffee made from these beans can help increase your energy levels and improve your overall health. The antioxidants contained in these beans fight free radicals, which can cause chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. These beans also contain vitamin B5 or pantothenic acids which are vital to the body's transformation of food into energy.

7. Ethiopian Gesha

Known as Geisha or Gesha, this particular coffee variety was first discovered in the Gori Gesha forest in Ethiopia in the 1930s. It was brought to Panama in the 1960s, where it quickly gained fame for its floral aromas, full-bodied flavor and delicate acidity.

Geisha is a costly coffee variety. It's susceptible to disease and requires high altitudes to grow. The yield of fruit is also lower. These factors make it difficult to consistently produce. This, along with its high score on the cup, drives the price.

This particular lot of Gesha was honey processed (not real honey however the beans are treated and then dipped in sugar-rich water) and then moved to a marquee to dry for 96 hours through carbonic maceration. It's a unique method that enhances the complexity of this extraordinary coffee. It also provides OMA a rich and balanced cup profile that is full of exotic florals, such as jasmine and tea roses with delicate citrus and stone fruits.

8. Indonesian Liberica

Coffee drinkers are most likely familiar with two species belonging to the Coffea genus which are robusta and arabica. The former accounts for the majority of coffee traded in the world, while the second is only 20 percent. There are over 120 species in the genus, and some are less popular than others.

The most well-known non-arabica is Coffea Excelsa (or the variant. dewevrei). This variety grows on huge trees that are at medium altitudes. It produces a teardrop-shaped beans. It's commonly used in blends, and can provide an interesting lingering flavor to the cup.

It's not as popular in Southeast Asia as arabica but it is still a niche market. This is due to the religious demand as Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink their coffee following prayers. Liberica's resistance to coffee leaf rust and low caffeine content make it an attractive alternative for producers who don't have the financial resources to invest in arabica.

9. Brazilian Exelsa

Excelsa is robust and productive, but it requires more care from farmers than other Coffea arabica species or canephora. This is due to the asymmetrical size of its beans that is larger than buy arabica coffee Beans near me or canephora. It also has a longer time to fruit and its leaves are larger than other C. liberica varieties. Plus, its high productivity levels mean that it can reach a height of 15 meters and produce a huge volume of fruit.

Oliveiro says it's a pity that the plant is not understood, despite it being reclassified in 2006 as the dewevrei liberica variety. It can be considered a "really good coffee producer". However, without a commodity market and a comparatively low demand for the species, the change is unlikely. However, for those willing to put the time and effort in growing it, the benefits are clear: Excelsa beans tend to contain less caffeine than arabica and canephora, and also have a more dense mucilage with less soluble solids.