High Altitude Coffee
The special conditions of high altitudes make them perfect for growing coffee. The mountainous terrain and the climate permit a longer maturation process that results in coffee with a rich flavour profile.
The characteristics of the soil in which coffee is grown also have an impact on its taste. roasted arabica coffee beans is particularly true for volcanic soils, which allow for smooth and full brews with chocolate or some nutty notes.
Cooler Temperatures
The climate is a key factor in determining the taste and quality of coffee. The most sought-after arabica varieties thrive best in mountainous regions that extend along the band of planet known as the "coffee belt". The climate conditions that prevail in these mountainous regions with frost-free tropical climate with moderate rainfall and plenty of sunshine, offer the ideal growing environment for coffee.
The optimal temperature for arabica is between 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. This is significantly lower than the temperatures needed for robusta growth. Plants exposed outside of this range will have lower yields and a less appealing flavor.
The higher altitudes have a cooler climate, which allows the plant to mature slowly and the coffee to ripen over time. This allows the complex sugars to develop, which are essential for the rich aromas and flavors of coffee. It also reduces the amount of water contained in the coffee bean, leading to dense (hard) beans with more intense flavor characteristics.
A mountainous area also provides fertile soil. This is important because soils that are rich in nutrients provide a better environment for healthy and vigorous arabica plants, which produce better quality coffee beans. A well-draining soil is also important for arabica plants because it stops the roots from becoming saturated, which could result in illnesses and diseases.
A high altitude site for cultivation is less likely to be affected by diseases and pests. This is especially true of the coffee berry borer, a common pest that can severely cause damage to crops at lower elevations.
The only alternative coffee that can compete in terms of quality at high altitudes with arabica is robusta. Robusta is resistant to pests and thrives in warmer areas where arabica is struggling to survive. However, the taste of a robusta is not as distinctive than the taste of an arabica. Therefore, while arabica grows better at higher elevations however, consumers should still search for one origin or blend that includes both varieties of coffee when looking for arabica that is high altitude.
Well-Draining Soil
Unlike Robusta coffee plants that thrive in warmer environments and lower elevations, arabica coffee plants prefer cooler temperatures and higher altitudes. These conditions allow the beans to mature more slowly, which gives them a fuller body and more diverse flavor profiles.
High-altitude arabica coffee plant cultivation is the result of unique conditions that make it ideal for arabica plants. This produces premium quality beans that are highly sought after by specialty roasters. This is due to the fact that the conditions are ideal for the plant's health and productivity.
Coffee plants require a well-drained soil to prevent the buildup of water around their roots, which can lead to rot and other diseases. A well-drained, airy and dry soil is also more suitable for absorption of nutrients. These factors, coupled with cooler temperatures and less direct sunlight characteristic of high-altitude cultivation, contribute to more flavorful and robust cup of coffee.
The decreased oxygen levels in these regions are another important factor that contributes towards the superior taste of arabica coffee grown at higher altitudes. The lower oxygen levels have positive effects on the plant by making it more resilient and encouraging it to grow strong root systems that increase its ability to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Most arabica coffee in the world is grown at altitudes between 2,000 and 6,500 feet in subtropical regions known as the "bean belt". These regions surround the equator, and are characterized by an environment that is tropical and ideal for coffee plants, yet they maintain high altitudes that are suitable for the cultivation of gourmet arabica beans.
To cultivate your own high altitude arabica in your home, first you need to purchase an adult, healthy green arabica seedling. This can be bought from a nursery specializing in the cultivation of these species. You will need to ensure you have the appropriate equipment to meet the challenges of high-altitude coffee cultivation. This will require shading cloths or a greenhouse, to shield the plant from sun. You should then fertilize your arabica with a nitrogen-rich compost that's also rich in calcium, magnesium and sulfur. You should water your plant only sparingly until spring. This will encourage flower and fruit development in the spring.
Robust Root Systems
Arabica coffee beans are prized for their delicate and complex flavor profiles, which can contain hints of chocolate fruit, and flowers. This unique flavor profile can only be cultivated when the finest arabica coffee beans are cultivated in the conditions the plant requires. Temperatures that are cooler and higher altitudes are essential to the cultivation conditions, as they aid in slowing the rate of growth of the plant and permit it to produce more complex sugars. These sugars are the reason for the complex and subtle flavor that arabica is famous for.
The higher altitudes where arabica beans are grown provides the environment necessary for the plants to grow strong root systems that can better soak up nutrients from the soil. Strong roots are essential to the health of the plant and are critical for its ability to produce coffee cherries that are sweet, ripe, and tasty.
Robusta is also known as Coffea canephora, is a coffee plant that can be grown at lower elevations than arabica. It is typically grown between 600 to 2,500 feet above sea level. The lower elevation causes plants to produce coffee that is harsher and less appealing. Robusta is a popular choice to make coffee blends and instant espresso due to its low price and resistance to pests.
High-altitude arabica plants can be more susceptible to climate change, however careful cultivation by farmers will ensure that the crop is able to flourish in a changing world. Other environmental factors such as oxygen levels and temperature can also influence the quality of coffee.
These environmental variables include soil quality as well as drainage, water availability intensity, sunlight intensity, duration, agroforestry, harvesting strategies, postharvest processing, and harvesting methods. These elements are combined to determine the final chemical and physical cup's quality attributes.
Sustainable Cultivation
Coffee plants require specific conditions to thrive, particularly in higher elevations. It is also a delicate crop, prone to pests and diseases.
High altitude cultivation offers numerous benefits for sustainability to farmers, including superior flavor and less environmental impact. These unique factors make for the distinct taste profiles of coffee beans grown at higher altitudes, which makes them extremely sought-after by discerning coffee drinkers and specialty grade cultivators.
A key feature of high altitude coffee is its slow bean development, which infuses each individual coffee cherry with more complex sugars, resulting in richer flavors. Slower growth allows plants to concentrate more energy on reproduction, resulting in more mature coffee beans with higher quality and more intense flavors.
Higher elevations also have better drainage, which is essential to the health of the coffee bean. This permits a more evenly spread of nutrients across the ground, and decreases the chance of developing diseases such as root rot. Coffee grown at higher altitudes has a more consistent flavor profiles and stronger aromas since the moisture isn't present.
Many coffee producers who are high altitude utilize shade-grown farming techniques which not only safeguard the biodiversity of the rainforest ecosystem but can also enhance the quality of a cup of coffee. This is because coffee bushes that love shade benefit from the microclimate created by the surrounding tree which slows the growth rate, and results in a more balanced and rounded taste.
Shade-grown coffee is also more consistent, which lowers the risk for disease and insect infestation. This is a major concern for farmers who grow at lower altitudes. Furthermore, coffee grown in shade is often more ecologically sustainable since it eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides, which can degrade soil and water quality and negatively affect wildlife.
There are several notable examples of high-altitude beans produced under these unique and sustainable conditions. One example is the rare Geisha variety, which is characterized by elongated beans that reveal floral notes and tea-like flavors with notes of jasmine, citrus and tropical fruits. Batian is a different example, a hybrid which is resistant to leaf rust and coffee berry disease with high productivity and yield.