How to Drink Arabica Coffee Beans_How Much Does Arabica Coffee Cost in a Coffee Shop

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Coffee Plant Varieties

Coffee belongs to the Rubiaceae family, genus Coffea. There are more than 60 species within the Coffea genus, but only three have significant economic value: Coffea Arabica, Coffea Robusta, and Coffea Liberica. However, Liberica cultivation is far less extensive than the other two, and it is gradually being phased out of the coffee market.

Arabica vs. Robusta

Arabica coffee beans account for about 70% of the overall market, while Robusta accounts for about 30%.

Both of these coffee varieties have different sub-varieties, and they are given different names based on their growing regions. For example, Taiwan coffee beans are derived from the Typica sub-species of Arabica.

Coffee grown in the Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia is named after Yirgacheffe, while the variety cultivated near the Geisha mountains in Panama is called "Geisha" coffee beans because its name is the same as the Japanese word for geisha. The Geisha coffee beans from Panama, particularly those from Hacienda La Esmeralda (commonly known as Jade Estate), are considered the most premium.

The growing environments for Arabica and Robusta coffee beans are very different. Arabica is more suitable for cultivation on hills and mountains at elevations of 600 to 2,000 meters above sea level, while Robusta is grown on plains and hills below 600 meters. Taiwan primarily cultivates Arabica coffee, so most of it is distributed above 600 meters and can reach elevations of 1,000 meters.

Because of the terrain, harvesting methods are also restricted. Harvesting on plains can be mechanized, significantly reducing labor costs quickly. However, harvesting on hills or mountains can only rely on manual collection, which greatly increases labor costs. This is one of the main reasons why Taiwan coffee is very expensive.

Applications of Different Coffee Beans in Various Products

The flavors of these two coffee beans are also completely different. Arabica coffee beans exhibit more fruit acidity and floral aromas, while Robusta coffee beans present stronger bitterness and a lingering mouthfeel. Therefore, they are used very differently in coffee products.

1. Pour-over and Siphon Coffee

These types of coffee typically use Arabica beans, especially specialty-grade coffee beans. Specialty coffee beans are those that have been carefully selected (the next column will discuss bean selection) and have received a certain score in cupping evaluations. They are usually sold as single-origin beans for pour-over and siphon coffee. Because high flavor is required, most of them use Arabica coffee beans. However, there are also some Robusta coffee beans that qualify as specialty coffee.

2. Espresso Coffee

Espresso is brewed with high pressure, which increases the concentration of flavor compounds. If using a single bean variety, the flavor can easily become too strong! Therefore, for espresso-based beverages such as espresso shots, lattes, and mochas, the coffee beans are almost always "blends," meaning coffee blenders mix different bean varieties, origins, and processing methods to create the most suitable flavor profile. Because Arabica coffee beans tend to be more acidic, blends often include Robusta beans to enhance the "coffee sensation" (called "body" by baristas).

3. Canned, Instant, and 3-in-1 Coffee

In the past, canned coffee and other coffee products were considered lower-priced products, so naturally, they didn't tend to use pure Arabica beans. Instead, they incorporated Robusta beans to adjust flavor and reduce costs.

However, in recent years, the coffee market has flourished, and consumers have been educated that Arabica beans are the more "premium" variety. This has led many products to boast pure Arabica beans, but these beans don't necessarily qualify as "specialty" grade!

Recommendations for Enjoying Coffee

Next time you're in a coffee shop, why not try a pour-over Yirgacheffe to experience its unique citrus flavor, or try a Geisha to taste its distinctive floral aroma. But don't forget to check the roast level. The aromatic compounds in coffee are destroyed by high temperatures and produce many bitter substances. If the roast is too dark (medium-dark roast or above), the coffee beans lose their unique flavor characteristics!

Arabica Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted Arabica coffee beans offer excellent guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they provide exceptional value for money. Each 227-gram package costs only around 70-90 yuan. Calculating at 15 grams of coffee beans per cup, one package can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 5-6 yuan. Compared to coffee shops selling for over 100 yuan per cup, this is truly a conscientious recommendation.

FrontStreet Coffee: A Guangzhou-based roastery with a small shop but a diverse variety of beans, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online store services at https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473