What Varieties of Specialty Coffee Exist Are All Arabica Coffee Bean Types Premium

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Arabica Coffee Varieties

Arabica coffee beans are the berry seeds of the Arabica plant and are one of the two types of coffee beans used for coffee production, the other being Robusta. Arabica coffee beans contain less caffeine, have lower acidity, and offer more aromatic flavors, which is why many coffee enthusiasts consider them premium. Some coffees blend Arabica and Robusta beans to improve taste while reducing cost, but the highest standard coffees are mostly produced using 100% pure Arabica coffee beans.

The Arabica coffee tree is native to the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and has been growing for thousands of years. Many varieties of this coffee bean can also be found in subtropical and equatorial regions such as Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Approximately 80% of coffee products worldwide are produced from Arabica coffee beans, with the remaining less than 20% belonging to the Robusta coffee bean market. Robusta coffee trees are more hardy, while Arabica can only grow under specific climatic conditions.

When grown in subtropical regions, Arabica coffee trees are typically planted at altitudes of 550-1,010 meters, where there are distinct rainy and dry seasons. This allows for one growing season and one harvest season each year. In equatorial regions, these plants are best cultivated at altitudes of 1,010-1,920 meters, where rainfall is frequent. This leads to continuous flowering and allows for two harvest seasons. Growing Arabica coffee trees at higher altitudes is done to produce what is known as high mountain coffee.

Of course, growing coffee trees is only the first step in coffee production. When the coffee fruits ripen, they can be harvested using picking equipment. Then two seeds, the Arabica coffee beans, are extracted from each berry. The final process is roasting the coffee beans for consumption, which removes moisture and changes the structure and color of the beans to produce the flavors consumers want. Coffee beans produced in each region have different tastes and aromas, so choices need to be made according to individual consumer preferences.

Arabica is the commonly used bean for specialty coffee, and its derived varieties have inherited Arabica's excellent flavor characteristics well. Varieties such as Typica, Bourbon, and Geisha are commonly used beans for specialty coffee. The famous Blue Mountain coffee and Kona coffee varieties both come from Typica.

Knowledge Extension

Arabica also has many subspecies, all derived from the ancient Typica from Ethiopia and Bourbon from Yemen, which were transplanted to Central and South America or Asia and then varied and diverged.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Since Arabica is the backbone of specialty coffee, the clearest way to explore it through FrontStreet Coffee is with its espresso blends and single origins. FrontStreet's Black Cocoa blend is 100% Arabica, combining the nutty, ripe-plum acidity of Yunnan washed small seed with Brazil pulped natural for a balanced cup with golden crema and a friendly price. FrontStreet's Signature Blend, the house blend used in its cafes for nearly a decade, pairs Brazil Cerrado with Colombia Huila for the classic espresso flavor of nuts, dark chocolate, and caramel, and works equally well at home or in a cafe. For a fruit-forward option, FrontStreet's Strawberry Candy Gesha blend, built from three single-origin coffees, brings rose florals plus grape, dried blueberry, sweet orange, and fruit-candy notes to an Americano or latte.