Arabian Coffee vs Arabica Coffee

Arabian Coffee vs Arabica Coffee

Your Guide to Coffee Terms

There are so many delicious kinds of coffee to choose from. When selecting the best brews for your palate, it is important to understand the type of coffee you prefer. Do you like arabica coffee? Or, is robusta more your speed? Moreover, are there different kinds of arabica coffee beans? And for that matter, what is Arabian coffee, and is it the same thing as arabica coffee? 

Below, we will cover all of this and more! That way, you won't have a hard time finding the perfect coffee to wake up with each morning. By the way, you can check out an impressive selection of delicious custom ground Gourmet and Flavored coffee options by clicking here (for flavored arabica blends) or here (for premium gourmet coffee)! 

Arabian coffee vs Arabica coffee; what does it all mean?

If you've ever seen an advertisement for a premium arabica coffee house or looked at all of the delicious arabica coffee brands out there, you may have wondered what the term arabica actually means. 

After all, arabica sounds a lot like Arabia. In addition to this, arabica coffee brands come in a range of roasts, flavors, and styles. So does all arabica coffee come from Arabia? Technically no. Today, arabica coffee beans are grown by cultivators in lush regions all over the world. However, the original arabica coffee plants did come from the Middle East and Africa. 

Arabica coffee beans are the original species of coffee. Arabic nations have been cultivating coffee for centuries. In fact, many believe that coffee has been around for more than 700 years. 

Historically, arabica coffee (Coffea Arabica) originated in Ethiopia. Likely, it came from the Kaffa region, hence the name coffee, which sounds like Kaffa. There are many different terms for coffee, many of which come from places near coffee growing and exportation hubs.

Arabica coffee was discovered growing wild in the Kaffa region sometime in the 15th century. After its discovery, this type of coffee spread to the rest of the Arab world. Mainly, it was popular in Yemen. 

Traders, sailors, merchants, and exporters popularized coffee and brought it on ships all over the world. Soon, coffee cultivators began growing their own unique arabica coffee variants and exporting coffee beans. Eventually, coffee reached the level of fame and notoriety it maintains today. 

Arabian coffee vs arabica coffee: What’s the difference?

When it comes to Arabian coffee vs arabica coffee, the terms can be a tad confusing. Arabian coffee is technically any kind of coffee from Arabia. Additionally, most Arabian-grown coffee is some type of fine arabica coffee. 

However, not all arabica coffee comes from Arabia. Arabica coffee beans are also grown in Brazil, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Middle East, Africa, and other coffee cultivating regions all over the world. 

The most popular kind of Arabian coffee is Khawlani coffee. This type of Saudi Arabian coffee is cultivated in the southwestern region of Jazan. Jazan is a lush, mountainous region home to 50,000+ coffee trees that produce high-quality coffee. 

So what is arabica coffee?

Arabica coffee is made from the beans of the Coffea Arabica plant. Arabica coffee originated in the highlands of Ethiopia. It is the most popular type of coffee in the world because of its smooth flavor and superior taste. More than 60% of the coffee produced all over the world is arabica. 

The second most popular type of coffee is robusta. Robusta coffee comes from the beans of the coffee canephora plant species. Robusta coffee has a stronger, more bitter taste. Robusta became popular during an epidemic of coffee rust that destroyed many arabica coffee trees. 

Robusta coffee is resistant to coffee leaf rust, hence its name, Robusta, which means robust. Though many agree that this type of coffee is inferior in taste, the plants are hardier and tend to be more drought-resistant. Robusta coffee has more acidity than arabica coffee as well. 

Why is it called Arabica coffee?

Most people believe that arabica coffee got its name from exporters and growers who discovered people drinking coffee in lower Arabia. Though coffee was originally grown in Ethiopia, it wasn't used as a drink there. Instead, the Oromo tribes used the beans for energy. These beans were often crushed and mixed with fat. Then, they were eaten as a stimulant. 

Some believe that traveling tribes discovered coffee and began trading it in Arabia. Once the coffee arrived in Arabia, it was brewed as a beverage by Arab scholars. They noticed that coffee helped them work for longer hours. From there, drinking coffee became a popular practice. 

Since coffee beans were likely first brewed into a beverage in Arabia, it makes sense that the region would be associated with coffee as a whole. 

What does arabica coffee taste like?

Arabica coffee can have all sorts of different flavors. It depends on where it was grown and how it was cultivated. Additionally, the roast level of coffee beans and the preservation and cleaning method used before roasting must be considered. 

Premium arabica coffee should have a delicately sweet flavor with hints of caramel, chocolate, or nutty notes. Some arabica coffee will even showcase fruity, floral, or spiced flavors. Arabica coffee also has a light, pleasant acidity and minimal bitterness.

The way you brew your coffee is important to consider as well. Cold brewing sometimes brings out a smoother and sweeter flavor in arabica coffee. Making espresso makes arabica coffee taste stronger and slightly more bitter. 

Most of the coffee sold at coffee shops and grocery stores will be some type of arabica coffee beans. However, some brands do mix robusta coffee beans with arabica coffee. This is especially true if you select an espresso blend. However, the majority of coffee sold in stores is arabica. There are also rumors that big box coffee stores use Robusta coffee and label it as dark roasted arabica coffee. 

How is arabica coffee grown?

Arabica coffee must be grown in the right climate. This species of coffee does not do well in harsh weather. Coffea arabica species prefer temperatures between 59 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Arabica coffee also does well when shade-grown. So, think subtropical growing regions or mountainous areas. Some Arabica species do well in hotter areas. Ethiopian arabica coffee is particularly tasty and often thrives at high elevations in a warmer climate. 

The best Arabica coffee is grown at elevations of 1900 feet or more. Arabica coffee plants take about seven years to mature and produce coffee cherries. Inside the cherries are pits, or seeds, that are then cleaned, dried, and roasted into the coffee you love.  

Are there different kinds of arabica coffee beans?

Arabica coffee comes in a range of types. In fact, the Arabica coffee bean family is incredibly large. Dozens of varieties are cultivated all over the world. Some of these varieties have distinctive flavors that come from the soil and climate in the coffee-growing region where they are cultivated. 

Here’s a list of types of Arabica coffee:

• Typica
• Bourbon
• Caturra
• Catimor
• Catui 
• Gesha 
• Jamaican Blue Mountain
• Kona
• Mocca/Mokha

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