What Is Arabica Coffee?

Arabica coffee is often prized for its diverse, complex flavor profiles, and you’ll often see brands advertising that their coffee is “100% Arabica.” But what makes it so popular, what shapes its flavors, and how is it different from Robusta?

Pour yourself a mug and join us as we explore the world of Arabica coffee, and we’ll answer those questions, plus look at some popular Arabica varietals and learn what to look for when purchasing Arabica beans. 

What Is Special About Arabica Coffee?

While there are roughly 130 species of Coffea out there, only two species are widely used for coffee production: Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica comes from the Coffea arabica plant and has long been prized for its often more complex and sweeter cups with pleasant acidity and fruity and floral flavor profiles compared to many Robusta coffees. 

Why Arabica Dominates Specialty Coffee

Flavor Complexity

Arabica beans vary widely in their flavor profiles, strongly influenced by the terroir (elevation, climate, and soils), as well as the farming, harvesting, and processing methods used.

Some beans may lean towards hints of chocolate and spice, while others are fruitier or citrusy, and still others might be more savory, earthy, and herbal.

At Dean’s Beans, we offer a wide selection of certified organic, Fair Trade, shade-grown coffees from numerous origins so you can enjoy different flavors in your morning cup. This flavor diversity is exactly why Arabica remains the top choice for specialty coffee lovers seeking a cup as unique as its origin.

Altitude-Quality Connection

Coffea arabica is a tender plant that requires mild climates, which is why it’s typically grown at high elevations between 1,200m (3,937ft) and 2,000m (6,562ft) in tropical latitudes that have temperate climates that don’t go to extremes of temperature.

Growing at high altitudes causes the cherries to mature more slowly. This makes the beans more dense and often more flavorful, with longer maturation times bringing out sweetness, pleasant acidity, and complex flavor notes. In all, the variety, farming, and processing all shape the final cup. 

Cost

Arabica can be pricier since it requires specific growing conditions and is more susceptible to diseases and pests, all while yielding less than its Robusta counterpart.

The effects of climate change and spreading diseases are further impacting Arabica production and driving costs. Rising temperatures are shrinking the high-altitude regions where Arabica thrives, while warmer conditions are also raising the risk of pests and diseases that reduce yields — all of which tighten supply and push prices higher.

Arabica vs. Robusta: What's the Difference?

Robusta comes from a different coffee species - Coffea canephora. Compared with Arabica, Robusta coffees generally have less perceived acidity and sweetness and tend toward bolder, more bitter flavor profiles. This is at least partly because the trees tolerate higher temperatures, longer droughts, and lower elevations than Arabica.

These traits have also given Robusta an unfair reputation for being low-quality. Quality is not determined by the species as much as how it’s grown, harvested, processed, and prepared.

In certain situations, you want Robusta. The best coffee beans for espresso are typically a blend of Arabica with Robusta added for a thicker crema and an extra caffeine kick many espresso lovers look for.

Common Arabica Varietals

These are four of the most common out of the thousands of different varieties of Arabica. 

Typica

Typica is one of the original genetic strains taken from Ethiopia to Yemen centuries ago. It is a taller plant that often produces clean, sweet cups, but the crop yield is generally low. 

Bourbon

Bourbon is a natural mutation of Typica that yields better and is known for sweet, complex, balanced coffees that may carry distinct buttery or chocolaty flavor notes. 

Caturra

Caturra is a compact, high-yielding mutation of Bourbon developed in Brazil. Its compact size makes it easier to grow denser harvests, and it often produces bright cups with a light body. 

Catuai

Catuai is a Brazilian cross of the Mundo Novo and Yellow Caturra that produces higher-yielding, compact plants. It’s popular in South and Central America and offers sweetness with medium to bright acidity and medium to heavy body. 

How Origin Shapes Arabica Coffee

The terroir, or taste of place, is the unique combination of elevation, climate, and soils that shapes the flavor profile. Arabica beans vary greatly with terroir, which is one of the reasons why certified organic, Fair Trade, single origin coffees are mostly made from Arabica beans because different origins can produce distinctly different cups.

Growing conditions (shade, conventional vs. organic, etc.), harvesting, and processing methods also shape the flavor.

Our certified organic, Fair Trade Ethiopian coffees – sourced from the Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union – are sun-dried, which produces more fruit-forward flavor notes. 

Fully washed Latin American coffees like our certified organic, Fair Trade Mexican Chiapas produce smooth, sweet cups with notes of cinnamon and brown sugar. They are grown by the Cooperativa de Producción Tzeltal-Tzotzil, a group of predominantly indigenous Maya, Tzeltal and Tzotzil-speaking farmers.

Our certified organic, Fair Trade Sumatran coffees are produced with the wet hull method by over 700 smallholder farmers in the Koperasi Gayo Lauser Antara (KGLA) cooperative, one of several partner co-ops in the region. They are bold, full-bodied, low-acid, and earthy, with notes of dark chocolate, spice, and herbal depth.

What to Look for When Buying Arabica Coffee 

When choosing Arabica coffee, look for coffees that are fresh, sourced with transparency, and sustainable. 

• For freshness, look for coffees with a roast date rather than a best-by date. Manufacturers arbitrarily set best-by dates, which may range from 6 to 24 months (check the dates on bags in grocery stores!). We recommend buying as much coffee as you will use within 1 month of the roast date, or up to 6 months if stored in a sealed, nitrogen-flushed bag.

• Origin transparency is important for trust in sourcing but also so you can learn which origins you like best. Search for the individual farmer cooperative(s) on the bag rather than those with only country-wide designations like “Colombian.”  

• Certifications like USDA organic, Fair Trade, and Smithsonian Bird Friendly® encourage sustainability and care in production and the supply chain.

Once you’ve chosen your beans, our coffee brewing guide has great tips for brewing excellent cups at home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know if My Coffee Is Arabica?

Look for coffees that list where the beans are grown, including whether they contain Arabica or Robusta, and ideally what variety of Arabica and the growing conditions. If it doesn’t specify 100% Arabica or list ingredients, the coffee may be blended with other species like Robusta. 

What Does Arabica Taste Like?

Arabica coffees don’t have a consistent flavor profile. One reason they are so appreciated is for their complex and nuanced flavor profiles that often vary widely with the origin, growing methods, and processing methods. They may have flavor notes ranging from chocolate and spice to fruit, citrus, or delicate florals.  

Explore Organic, Fair Trade Arabica Coffee Roasted to Order 

Arabica coffees are popular because, when grown with care, they can produce sweet, smooth cups with complex flavor profiles that vary with the origin. That way, you can enjoy a nonstop variety of flavors, from hints of sweet chocolate and caramel to subtle notes of blueberries and citrus, or even earthy and savory notes.

When you’re choosing Arabica, look for a roast date, transparent origin information traceable to the cooperative, and certifications that matter to you. We invite you to explore our certified organic, Fair Trade, shade-grown coffees, roasted fresh to order, and taste the difference for yourself.