The best arabica coffee beans in the world (to Mireene)

Many people are unaware that the coffee beans at your favorite coffee shop or supermarket are not arabica. This type of coffee bean grows best at higher altitudes, and has a smoother flavor.

The place where coffee beans are grown (aka their terroir) has a huge impact on how they taste. This is why single-origin arabicas are extremely sought-after.

1. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

This coffee is known for its floral and citrus qualities. The high-quality beans are grown on small farms that are located in the Oromia Region (formerly Harrar), at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2200 meters. The natural process produces an berry-like taste and sweetness.

The elevations high in Yirgacheffe permit the coffee plants to grow slower, which allows them to absorb the subtleties and flavors of the surrounding area. The region is characterized by an extremely humid climate, which is ideal for cultivating coffee.

This coffee is available in green beans that haven't been roast. They are great for roasters who wish to bring out its essence. Light medium to medium roasts reveal the citrus, wine and fruity flavors. This coffee is a great match for desserts like lemon cake, chocolate and pound cake. The herbal and floral notes go well with spicy or sour dishes.

2. Colombian Supremo

Colombian Supremo, a coffee that is renowned for its consistency in quality and flavor is a favorite among coffee enthusiasts of all levels. Typically featuring a smooth, classic flavor profile, with notes of light caramel and citrus, Supremo beans have an overall mild flavor that's balanced enough to satisfy a variety of palates.

The size of the bean plays a significant factor in the flavor profile of Colombian coffee, and Supremo beans are characterized by their large size. This larger size means that the beans will generally pass through Grade 14 (or higher) perforations in the sieve that are lower than the grade of Excelso.

With strict quality standards, a vibrant acidity, and a moderately smoky body, Colombian Supremo has a universal appeal that makes it a great choice for any brewing method. This coffee from the Popayan region is cultivated by farmers that are part of the Colombian Coffee Federation. This organization has over 500 000 coffee producers. As such, this coffee is an excellent example of the top-quality Colombian beans that have earned the country a reputation for its premium coffees.

3. Jamaican Blue Mountain

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought-after gourmet beans in the world. Its smooth, rich taste makes it one of its most sought-after varieties. This wet-processed selection 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 Blue Mountains, with their steep elevations, fertile soils, mild climates and dense clouds, create the perfect conditions for coffee growing of exceptional quality. The coffee beans grown in this small region are sought-after the world over and fetch high prices due to their rareness.

The name implies that Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown in the Blue Mountain district, a stretch of 6,000 acres on the island, which is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and the cultivation of coffee. The area is protected by a national park and farmers cultivate small batch arabica coffee beans amounts of coffee with careful attention to preserve their unique qualities.

4. Costa Rican Tarrazu

Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee is an absolute coffee lover's delight. It is the perfect balance of acidity and body. The high altitudes of the region, as well as the volcanic soil that is mineral-rich permit a slower maturing process, allowing the beans to create their full flavor profile.

Many of the farms that produce these coffees are also known for their environmentally-friendly practices and strict quality control measures, which make them popular with eco-conscious buyers. Some offer traceability to allow customers to find out more about the farm that produced their coffee.

One World Roasters' Tarrazu is a great example of the characteristic flavor profile of the region, featuring aromas of vibrant grapefruits and rich dark chocolate. Its medium-bodied body is well-rounded and balanced with a smooth finish that's sure to please your taste buds.

5. Caturra de Colombia

Caturra is a coffee cultivar has become an iconic name in Latin America. The variety was first introduced to Brazil due to a natural mutation of Bourbon. Its capacity for production is superior to Bourbon however it requires higher altitudes resulting in lower yields. The process of mass selection was employed to identify parent plants that produced exceptionally well. Bulk seeds from these parents were then produced and the process repeated.

Colombian Caturra is a high-yielding plant that has a remarkable resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust. It is one of the parents of the Castillo variety, developed by Cenicafe as the plant that will be the flag for their "Colombia sin roya" program designed to revive and revitalize coffee production.

This heirloom Caturra was cultivated by farmers in the department of Urrao at 2,000m and carefully roasted for you by Camber Coffee. Its cup quality displays a vibrant acidity with flavors of strawberry, watermelon and citrus.

6. French Roast

French Roast is a strong cup of coffee with smokey, charred notes. This blend is a blend of arabica beans from different regions, offering rich flavors of caramel and chocolate. The beans are roasted darkly to enhance their natural oils and flavor. This is a high-quality blend that will satisfy even the most sophisticated palate.

These beans are more difficult than other coffee varieties to cultivate because they require specific conditions for their growth. The plants require a certain amount sunlight and rain and must be protected against frost and drought.

These beans are full of antioxidants that can boost your energy levels and improve your overall health. These beans contain antioxidants that fight free radicals that can trigger chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer. They also contain vitamin B5 or pantothenic acids, which are essential for the body's conversion of food into energy.

7. Ethiopian Gesha

Geisha, or Gesha as it's also called, was discovered in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha Forest in the 1930s. It was brought to Panama by the 1960s where it quickly gained recognition for its floral aromas, full-bodied taste, and delicate acidity.

Geisha is a costly coffee variety. It is susceptible to disease and requires high altitudes for growing. The yield of the fruit is also lower. These characteristics make it difficult to consistently produce and it is combined with its high scores on the cup to drive up the price.

This particular Gesha lot was honey processed. (Not actual honey, the beans were treated and then dipped into water that contained sugar.) The beans were then placed in a marquee, and then dried for 96 hours by carbonic maceration. This is a unique process which adds to the richness of this incredible coffee. It also provides OMA an intricate yet balanced cup profile of exotic florals like jasmine and tea roses, with delicate stone fruits and citrus.

8. Indonesian Liberica

The majority of coffee enthusiasts are familiar with two species in the Coffea family: arabica, and robusta. The former accounts for 80percent of all coffee traded in the world, while the second is only 20 percent. There are more than 120 recognized species belonging to the genus and some are more popular than others.

Currently, the most well-known non-arabica species is Coffea excelsa (or var. dewevrei). This variety grows on huge trees at moderate altitudes and produces a teardrop-shaped bean. It is often used in blends and can add a distinct lingering finish to a cup.

Although it's not as well-known as arabica however, it has a niche market in Southeast Asia. This is largely because of the religious demand and the fact that Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia drink their coffee after prayers. Liberica's resistance to rusty coffee leaves and its low caffeine content, makes it a viable alternative for producers who don't have the funds to invest in arabica.

9. Brazilian Exelsa

While Excelsa is extremely durable and productive, it requires more attention from farmers to manage than other Coffea arabica or canephora varieties. This is in part due to its asymmetrical bean, which are bigger than canephora and arabica. It has a longer duration of fruiting, and its leaves are bigger than other C. liberica types. Furthermore, its high grown arabica coffee beans production levels allow it to reach a height of 15 meters and produce a huge volume of fruit.

According to Oliveiro, it's a shame that the plant is so misunderstood despite it being classified as the dewevrei variety of liberica in 2006 - because it is "a very good coffee producer". It's unlikely that the species will be switched to a commodity coffee without a market. But for those who are willing to invest the time and effort in growing it, the benefits are clear: Excelsa beans tend to have lower levels of caffeine than canephora and arabica, and have a denser mucus with less soluble solids.