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 kind of coffee plant thrives at higher altitudes and has a more smooth flavor. The terroir (or place of origin) of the coffee beans has a significant influence on their flavor. This is the reason why single origin arabicas are so sought-after. 1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Known for its citrus and floral scents, this coffee is a classic. The high-quality beans are grown on small farms that are located in the Oromia Region (formerly Harrar), at altitudes of between 1,400 and 2,000 meters. The natural process allows for the beans to be ripe with a distinct sweetness and berry taste. The high elevations in Yirgacheffe cause the coffee plants to develop more slowly which allows them to absorb nuances and flavors from the surrounding environment. The area also has a lush tropical climate that is perfect for the cultivation of coffee. This coffee is available in green beans that haven't been roasted. They are ideal for roasters who wish to reveal the essence. Light to medium roasts allow the citrus, berry and wine flavors to shine through. This coffee is great with desserts such as lemon chocolate and pound cake. The herbal and floral notes of this coffee also are great with food items that are spicy or sour. 2. Colombian Supremo Colombian Supremo, a coffee that is renowned for its consistency in quality and flavor is a popular choice for coffee lovers of all levels. Supremo beans are renowned for their classic, smooth flavor with notes of caramel and citrus. The size of the beans is a key element in determining the flavor profile. Supremo coffee beans are large. This larger size implies that the beans are more likely to go through Grade 14 (or higher) perforations in the sieve which is less than the grade of Excelso. Colombian Supremo is a coffee with universal appeal. Its high quality standards, bright acidity and moderately rich body make it an excellent option for any brewing technique. This particular coffee comes from the Popayan region is grown by farmers who are members of the Colombian Coffee Federation, an organization that provides support to more than 500,000 coffee farmers. This coffee is an excellent example of the high quality Colombian beans which have made Colombia famous for its world class coffees. 3. Jamaican Blue Mountain The rich, smooth flavour of Jamaican Blue Mountain is one of the most sought-after gourmet coffees. This wet-processed Jamaican blue Mountain variety is famous for its sophistication and smoothness. It's also an important ingredient in the coffee liquor Tia Maria. The Blue Mountains, with their steep elevations, fertile soils, mild climates and dense clouds, create the perfect conditions for coffee production of top quality. The beans grown in this small region are highly prized and fetch premium prices due to their rarity. The name implies that Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown in the Blue Mountain district, a stretch of 6,000 acres on the island that's known for its stunning natural beauty and the cultivation of coffee. The area is designated National Park, and farmers cultivate small quantities of coffee with a keen eye to preserve the distinct characteristics of the beans. 4. Costa Rican Tarrazu Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee is a coffee lover's delight. It has the perfect balance of acidity and body. The high altitudes of the region as well as the mineral-rich volcanic soil allows for a more gradual maturing process, allowing the beans to get their full flavor. Many of these farms are well-known for their sustainable practices and strict measures to maintain quality which makes them popular among eco-conscious consumers. Some also offer traceability, which enables customers to know more about the particular farm that produced their coffee. One World Roasters' Tarrazu is an excellent illustration of the distinctive flavor profile of the region, with notes of vibrant grapefruits and a rich dark chocolate. Its medium body is well balanced and well-rounded. This results in an elegant, satisfying finish. 5. Caturra de Colombia Caturra is a coffee cultivar that has made its name in Latin America. The Caturra variety was first introduced to Brazil as a result of a natural change in Bourbon. Its potential for production was superior to Bourbon but it needed higher altitudes, which resulted in lower yields. The process of mass selection was employed to identify parent plants that did exceptionally well. Bulk seeds from these parents were then produced and the process repeated. 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 flag plant for their "Colombia sin roya" program designed to revive and revitalize coffee production. This is a family-owned Caturra is grown at 2,000 meters by farmers in Urrao, was roasted by Camber Coffee. The cup is vibrant with flavors of watermelon citrus and strawberry. 6. French Roast For those who want a bold cup of coffee with smokey and charred notes will be delighted by French Roast. This blend is a combination of arabica beans from several regions that have rich flavor such as chocolate and caramel. The beans are dark-roasted to reveal their natural oils and flavors. This blend is of premium quality and will please the most sophisticated palate. These particular beans are more difficult to cultivate than other coffee varieties because they require very specific conditions for climatic growth. The plants need a specific amount of rain and sunlight and must be protected from frost and drought. Consuming coffee made from these beans can boost your energy levels and improve your overall health. These beans contain antioxidants that fight free radicals that can cause chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. Additionally these beans are a source of vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid which is crucial for the body to convert food into energy. 7. Ethiopian Gesha Geisha, or Gesha as it is also known, was first discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was brought to Panama in the 1960s when it quickly gained fame for its floral aromas, full-bodied flavor and delicate acidity. Geisha is among the most expensive varieties of coffee available on the market, as it's highly susceptible to diseases and requires high growing altitudes with a lower yield of fruit. These factors make it difficult to consistently produce and this is paired with its high cup scores to drive the price. This particular Gesha lot was honey processed. (Not real honey, but the beans were treated and dipped into sugar-rich water.) The beans were then placed in an enclosure and dried for 96 hour through carbonic maceration. This unique method adds to the complexity and flavor of this coffee. OMA has a complex and balanced cup profile that is bursting with exotic florals like jasmine, tea rose and delicate stone fruits, citrus and citrus. 8. Indonesian Liberica Coffee drinkers are most likely familiar with two species belonging to the Coffea genus which are robusta and arabica. The former makes up 80% of all coffee sold around the world, whereas the second is only 20%. There are more than 120 recognized species within the genus and some are far less popular than others. The most well-known non-arabica species is Coffea excelsa (or var. dewevrei). This variety grows on large trees that are at medium altitudes. It produces a teardrop-shaped bean. It is often used in blends, and can provide a distinct taste that lasts for a long time. It's not as popular in Southeast Asia as arabica but it has its own niche market. This is largely because of the demand generated by religion, as Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink their coffee after prayers. Liberica's resistance to rust on coffee leaves and its low caffeine content make it a viable alternative for producers who do not have the funds to invest in arabica. 9. Brazilian Exelsa While Excelsa is extremely resilient and productive, it also requires more focus from farmers to manage than other Coffea arabica or canephora varieties. This is due to the asymmetrical size of its beans, which is larger than arabica or canephora. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/arabica-coffee-beans has a longer duration of fruiting, and its leaves are bigger than other C. liberica species. It can also grow to 15m tall and produce an abundance of fruits. According to Oliveiro, it's a shame that the plant has been misunderstood for so long - even though it was reclassified as the dewevrei variety of liberica in 2006 - as it is "a excellent coffee producer". However, without a commodities market and a comparatively low demand for the species, making the switch is unlikely. But for those who are willing to invest the time and effort in growing it, the benefits are clear: Excelsa beans tend to have a lower caffeine content than arabica and canephora and have a thicker mucilage, with less liquid solids.