Arabica Coffee

As you may have guessed, Arabica coffee gets its name from Arabia, the land of kings. When it comes to coffee, Arabica is definitely king. As legend has it, a goat herd named Kaldi discovered coffee on the Arabian peninsula around 500-600 A.D. He observed his goats excited behavior after eating the red cherry-like berries of a coffee plant.

Hence the name Arabica, however, scientific evidence indicates that coffee first grew in Kaffa, what is now Ethiopia, in Northeastern Africa and was transported shortly afterwards across the mouth of the Red Sea to Yemen.

One could assume that the name coffee comes from the word Kaffa which would support the evidence that coffee first appeared in this region. Semantics aside, it is accepted that Arabia was the origin of commercial coffee trade so Arabica coffee is appropriately named.

Of the more than forty species of plants in the Coffea genus only two are suitable for making coffee, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora the latter of which is more commonly known as Coffea robusta. Of the two, Arabica is definitely the premium bean.

Many factors determine the quality of the end product. Such as, where the coffee is grown, soil, climate and elevation, not to mention harvesting, processing and roasting of the mature beans. However, one fact is undisputed, the finest coffees in the world come from Arabica coffee plants.

Arabica coffee accounts for about 80% of all coffee produced in the world. It prefers higher elevations and drier climates than its cousin C. robusta.

The tropics of South America provide ideal conditions for growing Arabica coffee which grows best between 3,000 and 6,500 feet but has been grown as high as 9,000 feet. Generally, the higher the plant is grown the slower it matures. This gives it time to develop the internal elements and oils that give coffee its aromatic flavor.

Within the C. arabica species there are three main varietals; Typica, Bourbon and Caturra. Each has subtle differences that add character nuances to body, acidity, balance etc? that are detectable to the discerning palate.

More importantly, the sub-species of Arabica coffee have been bred to adapt to a specific growing region to be resistant to certain afflictions such as fungus, parasites, insects etc? that differ from region to region.

Interestingly, C. arabica, is self-pollinating as opposed to C. robusta, which is not. This might explain why Arabica coffee is more abundant throughout the world. Also why it does well at higher elevations where bees might be less active due to cooler temperatures and why Robusta prefers lower, hotter, climates where bees are more plentiful. Just a theory but food for thought.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee such as Colombian Coffee, Coffee and Alzheimers and Coffee Breaks.

---

Flavored Coffee Syrup Adds A New Dimension To Beans

Flavored coffee syrup is a popular addition to any coffee... Read More

Caffeine & Low Birth Weight Babies

These studies begin to point the way to the more... Read More

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Travel Mug

A good travel mug is a must when you need... Read More

Extracting the Coffee Flavor

The beverage called coffee is the result of mixing dry... Read More

Who is Juan Valdez?

Juan Valdez is a fictitious character who was created in... Read More

10 Timeless Tips to a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Few quests in human history have so captivated men and... Read More

Coffee For Your Health

Many of us rely on coffee to get us going... Read More

Arabica Coffee Beans Are Pricey Yet Priceless!

Arabica coffee beans are known for a better-flavored coffee. There... Read More

Brazilian Coffee

Adultery, deceit and politics, all the makings of a modern-day... Read More

The Best Cup of Drip Coffee Possible

With a "good" cup of coffee costing almost as much... Read More

Coffee, Caffeine & Fitness

One look at a line at the local Starbucks in... Read More

History of the Coffee and Espresso Machine

A large percentage of the population loves to drink both... Read More

Live the Life of a Civil War Soldier When you Drink your Mornin Coffee

Civil War soldiers, Confederate and Union, used to... Read More

Gourmet Coffee Habit Costing Consumers as Much as $1,500 Yearly

Gourmet coffee consumers rarely consider the cost of their daily... Read More

Mr. Coffee Versus Bunn-o-Matic - The Coffee Maker Battle Heats Up

For coffee lovers, there are few things more appealing than... Read More

History of Instant Coffee

Mention instant coffee to any connoisseur and you are sure... Read More

Gourmet Flavored Coffee

Coffee tastes great by itself, but for an extra special... Read More

How To Clean A Coffee Maker

Ever wonder how to clean a coffee maker the right... Read More

Arabica Coffee

As you may have guessed, Arabica coffee gets its name... Read More

Caffeine - I Bet You Didnt Know This! Health and Nutrition!

What exactly is caffeine? It is a colorless, somewhat bitter... Read More

Tea at Sea

Marylyn Monroe famed amongst other things for her love of... Read More

Coffee Storage Myths; Freeze Your Fresh Roasted Coffee & Other Popular Misconceptions

So you are finally fed up with that bland black... Read More

How to Make a Great Tasting Cup of Coffee - Its Not Rocket Science

There is good coffee and absolutely abysmal coffee. Both may... Read More

Cappuccino Secrets: Creating the Perfect Foam

Here is an article that tells the secret of creating... Read More

Which Coffees are Highest in Antioxidants?

As researchers learn more about antioxidants with health and disease,... Read More

Russian Tea drinking - The beginning

It is believed history of Russian tea drinking tradition have... Read More

History of Arabian Coffee

Arabian coffee is the quintessential coffee of the world. Arabia... Read More

Those Elusive Coffee Beans!

With the spread of various coffee beans into our lives,... Read More

Coffee Roasting: Learning the Fundamental Art of Making Coffee Can be Fun

Coffee roasting from light to very dark, is an art... Read More

Coffee Commodities and Starbucks

If we look at commodity trading from a purely conceptual... Read More

Coffee Roasting De-mystified

How many different names have you run across for different... Read More

How to Make Restaurant Quality Coffee At Home

Have you ever wondered how restaurants get their coffee to... Read More

Ganoderma Coffee - Can It Be Good For You?

Are you a coffee addict? Are you searching for a... Read More