Understanding Arabica Coffee Beans

June 05, 2017

Whether you’re a coffee addict who’s more than acquainted with the delights of this delicious drink or you’ve recently made the move to making your own barista-style cups of coffee, the broad range of flavours and strengths available mean that choosing the right kind of coffee can often seem like a difficult task.

From the great taste of 100% Arabica coffee to the more exotic blends which offer something truly unique in flavour, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to finding a flavoursome coffee. That’s why, today, we’ll be making things easier, as we explain just what Arabica coffee is - as well as looking at what makes this the world’s first choice when it comes to freshly brewed coffee.

The history of Arabica coffee

Originally given the name Arabica due to the botanist Carolus Linnaeus’s belief that the species was indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula (in modern-day Yemen), the debate surrounding whether the bean was first harvested in East Africa or on the Arabian Peninsula continues today.

Not only are Arabica trees highly sensitive to weather conditions, but they’re also more susceptible to disease such as coffee rust - a fungus that was first identified in 1869. Wiping out a large percentage of Arabica plants in the late 1800s, this disease led to their replacement with a more robust coffee bean - and today, the lifespan of these plants can exceed 100 years.

What are Arabica coffee beans?

Arabica is widely considered to be the highest quality species of coffee plant, making Arabica coffee a worldwide favourite. Native to the highlands of central Ethiopia, the Arabica species grows at altitudes of 3,000 to 6,000 feet, and is far more delicate than other coffee species. Sensitive to hot and humid weather conditions, the Arabica plant grows at between 15 and 24° celsius and is extremely susceptible to frost. Identifiable by their relatively flat and elongated appearance, as well as a distinct sinuous groove, Arabica coffee beans are distinct from Robusta beans in not only their taste, but also their shape and size.

Why is 100% Arabica coffee so popular across the globe?

Of the two main coffee bean varieties, Arabica and Robusta, Arabica coffee is considered by many to be superior in quality - making these beans a firm favourite with coffee lovers all over the world. Containing just under half the amount of caffeine you’ll find in Robusta beans, and therefore boasting less of a bitter taste, Arabica coffee is beautifully fragrant and sweet to taste - with decadent hints of acidity and chocolate.

It’s the potent taste and its high concentration of sugar and lipids which makes the Arabica bean so incredibly popular - meaning this high quality coffee bean has more than earned its premium price tag.


Learn more about our coffee’s exotic origins by exploring our selection of 100% Arabica coffee beans today, and treat yourself to cup after cup of the world's most delicious coffee.

Or, if you’ve got a Nespresso machine you’d like to load up with scrumptious Arabica coffee, check out our range of Nespresso-compatible coffee pods.

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