Terri Ramsey Beavers Coffee isn’t just a drink anymore. It’s a lifestyle, a hobby, and practically a religion.
If you want to join the ranks of coffee gurus across the world, you’re going to need to know about Arabica coffee. You’ll also need to actually drink it.
To be a well-educated coffee connoisseur, it’s not enough to just drink a cup of coffee, you have to be informed on it. You have to be able to talk about its history and overtones.
You definitely don’t want to be the person who talks a big coffee game and gets schooled on things like arabica coffee origin.
So don’t get called out for being a fake coffee fan. Take your tastebuds on a java journey and try these 5 types of arabica coffee.
The Two Branches of Arabica Coffee: Typica and Bourbon
Typica is it’s own branch in the Arabica coffee tree, meaning many other types of coffee can fall under it. These kinds of coffee trees don’t produce as many beans as others do.
However, Typica coffee is known for its sweet flavors, making it very popular for those of us with a sweet tooth. It’s all about quality for this branch of coffee types. You may have already tried some types of Typica before if you’re used to purchasing the more expensive cups at your local coffee shop.
If your Arabica coffee isn’t of a Typica variety, it then must be a Bourbon one.
No, this type of coffee doesn’t contain any alcohol. You’ll have to add that yourself.
Bourbon is another low production branch of Arabica coffee. Between that and the fact that it is susceptible to the major diseases, it makes bourbon coffee a special rarity.
It also has a fascinating history. It was first introduced to the world by French missionaries in the Bourban Island in the 1700s. It remained there, a secret delicacy, for a century before spreading to the rest of the world.
Five Must-Try Types of Arabica Coffee
The following recommendations fall under either the Bourbon or Typica branch of Arabica coffee.
1. Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain coffee is named after the Jamaican mountain range it is grown in. The most appealing thing about this strain of coffee is the lack of bitterness. It also has an incredibly pleasant mild flavor.
Blue Mountain is one of the most expensive and desired coffee bean varieties out there. It’s a must on your coffee bucket list.
Don’t be fooled by fakes, though. You can verify that what you’re purchasing is actually Jamaican Blue Coffee by looking for a certification mark from the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica on the packaging.
2. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
History tells us Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It’s possible some variation of this type of coffee was the first-ever brewed by mankind! Anyone who calls themselves a coffee aficionado needs to try a cup of the original.
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is certainly one of the most popular types of arabica coffee. This is due to its light flavor and delectable aroma. If you want to learn more about the history of coffee, you’ll definitely want to learn more about Yirgacheffe coffee.
3. Sagada
Sagada coffee is grown in a municipality in the Philippines of the same name. It was introduced much later compared to most of the other coffee strains in the country.
Sagada is another rarity because there haven’t been large scale plantations of this coffee until very recently. The local government is doing it’s best to incentivize citizens to get involved, like an ordinance that requires households to plant five Sagada coffee trees.
What makes this bittersweet coffee so unique in flavor is its fruity and floral overtones.
4. Mundo Novo
Mundo Novo coffee has probably one of the most interesting histories of all the Arabica coffee varieties. It was a hybrid developed in the 40s by crossing Typica and Bourban coffees. This is comparably a very late player in the coffee industry.
Mundo Novo is a Brazillian classic, but it is rarely grown in the Caribbean or South America.
This type of coffee is also highly resistant to disease, making it a convenient and tasty option for coffee producers and lovers.
5. Geisha
Geisha (or Gesha) coffee is another Ethiopian darling with very a very floral flavor. The demand for this coffee has certainly gone up in recent years.
In 2004, it was entered into the Best of Panama coffee competition. This exposure skyrocketed the demand for Geisha coffee and the rest was history. The average price for a cup is $100, making it the most expensive cup of coffee in the world.
You might need to budget for this cup, but it’s worth it to say you’ve had the most expensive cup of coffee in the world. Imagine the bragging rights!
Explore the World of Arabica Coffee
Arabica coffee has something for every coffee drinker. The only way to find out what your favorite variety will be is to try as many as possible. You might have tried many types of Arabica coffee without even realizing it.
Track your coffee adventures with a journal. This way, you can reference it when comparing your likes and dislikes. Talk to other coffee fans and get their opinions, and share yours!
The coffee community is passionate, but it’s also a welcoming one. Don’t be afraid to join new groups or start a conversation with a barista to get her opinion.
And if you ever have the opportunity to travel to a country where a popular flavor of Arabica coffee is grown, you must try some. A fresh and delicious cup is the ultimate goal in a coffee lover’s life.
Check out our other coffee articles and get a learn even more about the culture around coffee.