Arabica Coffee - 100% Arabica Coffees – Medium Roast
We range many 100% arabica varieties of coffee, both single origin and our own exclusive blends. Coffea arabica cultivation dates back to 12th Century Yemen, and now accounts for approximately 60% of the world's coffee. Although there are notable exceptions, arabica coffee is generally grown at 1,300-1,500m above sea level, accounting for the alternative term of "mountain coffee".
- Kenya Blue Mountain CoffeeOur Kenya Blue Mountain is grown from seeds originally from Jamaica, which produce a coffee that has the natural sweetness of Blue Mountain Jamaica, but has also taken on the rich aromatic flavours and intensity that is typical of Kenyan coffee. Kenya's acidic soils provide excellent conditions for the growth of quality coffee, especially the renowned arabica bean, which is known to take on fantastic cocoa notes in Kenyan coffees. Full bodied, with a good acidity, hints of nut and citrus and ...
From £17.99★★★★★803 Review(s) - Kenya Peaberry CoffeeKenya Peaberry is grown in the Nyeri region, situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya, where acidic soils provide the perfect conditions for coffee that is known for intense flavours and well-rounded aromas. The peaberry variety of bean, also known as 'caracoli', is created when a coffee cherry produces only one bean, as opposed to the usual two. This single, pea-shaped bean is separated from the regular 'flat berry' beans before roasting, which ensures a high-quality even roast, and, as ...
From £15.99★★★★★201 Review(s) - Ethiopian Yirgacheffe CoffeeGrown in the Sidamo Province of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is among the best of the washed coffees: coffees that undergo a process before roasting, whereby the cherry of the bean is removed before the bean itself is dried. Washed coffees benefit greatly from this process, as once the cherries are immersed in water, unripe ones will float and be removed from the process, while ripe ones will sink and be used. This ensures the highest quality beans in each batch. Legend has it that the ...
From £15.99★★★★★229 Review(s) - Colombian Medium Roast CoffeeMedellin Excelso is an excellent example of the exquisite, full-bodied coffee that Colombia is known for, and testament to the county's reputation as one of the finest exporters of coffee in the world. Made from beans that have been cultivated in the rich, volcanic soil of Central Cordillera, Medellin Excelso produces a heavy body when roasted, resulting in a delicious nutty flavour with just the right amount of acidity. This variety also offers a pleasing aroma, typical of many Colombian ...
From £14.99★★★★★102 Review(s) - Blue Mountain Jamaica CoffeeOur certified Blue Mountain Jamaica is a real treat for coffee lovers and demonstrates just why this variety is one of the most sought-after in the world. Grown on Jamaica's longest mountain range, the lush Blue Mountains, at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 feet on average, these high-quality arabica beans benefit greatly from a cool and misty climate, plenty of rainfall, rich soil and, of course, excellent drainage. The resulting bean reveals mild, sophisticated flavours and a pleasing lack of ...
From £48.99★★★★★165 Review(s) - Kenya AA CoffeeThis mild Kenyan coffee gets its AA+ rating based on the large sizes of the specially selected beans used: Kenyan coffee is graded by the screen size of the bean, with beans that are too large to pass through a sieve perforation measuring 18/64 of an inch designated as AA grade. Our excellent Kenyan coffee, grown in the fertile Nyeri region of Kenya, offers a strong, slightly tangy flavour that's great for filter coffees and for preparing in a cafetiere, and embodies all the characteristics ...
From £15.99★★★★★65 Review(s) - Medium Roast Decaffeinated Colombian CoffeeWhen it comes to selecting a decaffeinated coffee, our Medium Roast Decaffeinated Colombian could be the best option to choose if you enjoy the fruity flavours and chocolate notes of our Dark Decaffeinated Colombian Coffee, but prefer a more mellow cup. These fine Arabica beans from Colombia offer a medium roast alternative that delivers on flavour and aroma without the caffeine. It is particularly suited for cafetière and filter use.
From £15.99★★★★★68 Review(s) - Costa Rica CoffeeSourced from selected Costa Rican estates, where beans are grown more than 2,000 metres above sea level for the benefits of a high altitude, this mild coffee is the perfect choice for a smooth start to the day. The high altitudes allow the beans to mature slower than other varieties, resulting in a fuller flavour, and an increased acidity that is not too overbearing, meaning that you can enjoy this coffee straight from the cafetiere at breakfast. The maturing process creates a strictly hard ...
From £14.99★★★★★70 Review(s) - Sidamo CoffeeEthiopian coffee beans grown in the Harar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, or Limu regions each reveal distinct, yet uniformly excellent flavours and aromas. Our smooth Ethiopian Sidamo coffee is made from the finest Arabica beans, grown exclusively in the Sidamo Province. One of the most famous origin tales of the coffee suggests that a local innam at a Sidamo monastery threw these red coffee berries upon a fire, at which point their roasting gave off such a wonderful smell that they were raked off ...
From £15.99★★★★★41 Review(s) - Mocha Java CoffeePossibly the world's most famous coffee blend, and certainly among the earliest of known blends, the celebrated Mocha Java is a combination of two distinct arabica beans from Indonesia and Yemen. The Mocha bean, taking its name from the port city that sits next to the Red Sea, is a smaller, rounder bean than many other varieties. It is suggested that the first European to sample Mocha was the Spanish Jesuit missionary, Pedro Páez Jaramillo, who encountered the unique coffee during his time ...
From £14.99★★★★★69 Review(s) - Mocha CoffeeA mellow, fruity coffee with hints of spice and wine, Mocha is grown in the Southwest regions of Ethiopia where, according to legend, the first coffee plant was discovered by a 9th century goat herder. These beans are smaller and rounder than most other varieties, and are of the arabica variety, which is renowned for high quality and full flavours. Mocha coffee beans create sweet, chocolatey coffees with fruity undertones, a light acidity and a slight earthiness. The Mocha coffee bean came ...
From £14.99★★★★★41 Review(s) - Mysore CoffeeThe city of Mysore, located at the base of the Chamundi Hills in India, was first introduced to the world of coffee by the revered 17th century scholar, Baba Budan, who upon return from a pilgrimage to Mecca brought with him seven seeds from the port of Mocha, in Yemen, before planting them in Mysore's temperate mountains. The seeds flourished, and we have Baba Budan to thank today for the smooth and mild Mysore coffee. The sweet and delicate flavours of Mysore combine wonderfully with a ...
From £14.99★★★★★28 Review(s) - Breakfast Blend CoffeeThe first coffee of the day can be the most satisfying, and you can't go wrong with our delicious Breakfast Blend, made from a choice selection of beans for a smooth and satisfying drink that eases you into the day. Wonderfully aromatic, the blend is great when prepared by filter or cafetiere and is versatile enough to go into all your favourite morning brews, from lattes to cappuccinos, Americanos and a multitude of different drinks. Our Breakfast Blend is a mild strength, lighter roast, ...
From £13.99★★★★★59 Review(s) - Colombian Supremo CoffeeThe excellent Medellin Excelso used in our Colombian Supremo is grown in rich volcanic soil for a smooth, medium strength coffee that reveals lovely, well balanced and nutty flavours and plenty of heavy body, making it equally ideal for filter coffees and cafetieres. Coffee was likely first introduced to Colombia in 1723, slowly spreading as a commercial crop to various regions of the country and becoming a significant product for the country by the end of the 19th century. By 1912, coffee ...
From £14.99★★★★★34 Review(s) - Guatemala CoffeeThe rich, volcanic mineral soils, ample rainfall, and the perfect humidity, altitude and temperature of Guatemala help to produce some of the finest coffees in the world. The majority of Guatemalan coffees are grown in andisol: young, fertile soil that is formed from volcanic ash and lava, providing the ideal conditions for coffee growth when combined with the most suitable temperatures of 60 to 90 degrees F. Roasted to order, our Guatemala coffee offers a medium strength and a strong, full ...
From £14.99★★★★★52 Review(s) - Yemeni Matari CoffeeFrom north Yemen, on the Arabian Peninsula, comes one of the truly exotic coffees of the world - Yemeni Mattari, the famed Mocha coffee which has been acclaimed for generations for its distinctive chocolate aftertaste. Yemen produces some of the best coffee in the world, despite very difficult conditions, and it has been doing so for hundreds of years. Only 3% of Yemen's land is considered arable, and just under a quarter of that is dedicated to coffee production. As a cash crop, coffee is ...
From £25.99★★★★★93 Review(s) - Rwanda CoffeeA smooth mellow coffee with balanced acidity and a sweet lingering aftertaste. Rwandan coffee is grown on high hills in fertile volcanic soils, and the finest beans tend to be handpicked, mostly during the rainy season of March through to May. Coffees from Rwanda often reveal a fruitiness and freshness that is reminiscent of red grapes or red apples, with berry fruit flavours and floral qualities also being common. Coffee is grown across the whole of Rwanda, with popular varieties coming ...
From £14.99★★★★★26 Review(s) - Kona Hawaii CoffeeThis luxuriously smooth and pleasingly mild coffee is sourced from a family operated plantation in the small town of Captain Cook, situated on the volcanic slopes of Mauna Loa. The plantation, established in 1997, offers the ideal elevation of 2,500 ft. for our Kona Hawaii to grow, where the beans benefit from a microclimate of sun-drenched mornings, cloud covered afternoons, mild nights and abundant rainfall that lets them mature slowly to a large size and a superb grade. Such is the ...
From £53.99★★★★★39 Review(s) - Malawi CoffeeA full bodied, soft and rich coffee that reveals a lovely fruity aroma when brewed, and a slight, satisfying acidity. Enjoy this as a refreshing espresso, or as a luxurious filter coffee such as a smooth latte or creamy cappuccino. In terms of strength and acidity levels, you might also like to consider Rwanda Coffee. Malawi is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa, bordered by other popular coffee-producing countries, Zambia and Tanzania. Coffee was first introduced to Malawi in the ...
From £14.99★★★★★20 Review(s) - Smooth Mountain CoffeeSmooth Mountain is a blend of Colombian and Costa Rican beans, picked specifically from high, mountainous areas that benefit the most from high altitudes, moist, temperate climates and good soil, all of which allow the beans to mature slower than other varieties, resulting in a fuller flavour. In Costa Rica, for example, the finest coffee is typically grown at altitudes of 1,200 to 1,700 metres, but can go as high as 2,000 metres and still enjoy excellent flavours. While in Colombia, coffees ...
From £14.99★★★★★13 Review(s)
Your guide to Arabica coffee beans
Even if you’re completely new to the coffee scene, chances are you’ll be familiar with the word ‘arabica’. Accounting for over 60% of global coffee produced each year, Arabica is the most popular coffee in the world, so you’ll often see coffee products proudly promoting statements such as “100% Arabica beans”.
In our below guide, we explore the world’s most popular coffee, covering everything from where it’s grown, how it differs from other popular types of coffee, and our top five recommendations for the best Arabica coffee beans.
What is Arabica coffee?
There are currently over 120 different species of coffee tree grown around the world. However, only two types are grown at scale and commercially - Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. Arabica coffee is made from the fruit of Coffea arabica plants, whereas Robusta coffee is produced by the Coffea canephora.
The Arabica coffee plant, also known as the "coffee shrub of Arabia" is thought to be the first-ever species of coffee to be cultivated, with cultivation dating as far back as 12th century Yemen. Spread by the Egyptians and Turks, Arabica made its way around the world and today is grown in dozens of countries worldwide.
Globally, Arabica plants differ greatly in their fruits, colours and yields and through natural mutations and cross-breeding, many different types (varieties) of the coffee tree exist. Popular varieties include Typica (thought to be the original variety of plant from which all others mutated), Mundo Novo, Maragogype coffeea, Bourbon, Geisha, Blue Mountain coffee, Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, Pacas and Kent - to name but a few.
Interesting fact: Generally, Coffea Arabica grows at 1,300-1,500m above sea level. This is why you’ll also hear this type of coffee referred to as “mountain coffee”.
What can affect the taste of Arabica coffee beans?
Many factors influence the massive variety of tastes and flavours you’ll find in different Arabica beans. From variety to roasting methods, here are six things that change the flavour of your coffee bean.
- Variety
- Local growing conditions
- Harvesting practices
- Processing
- Blending
- Roasting
If you choose to go for coffee beans produced by a Typica rather than a Maragogype or opt for a Mundo Novo variety over a Kent, you’ll be getting a very different and distinct flavour experience. An easy comparison to make is with wine. Coffee varieties influence the taste of your cup of coffee just as grape varieties influence the taste of your glass of wine.
Where your coffee plant is grown (aka its terroir) will have a big impact on its taste. Arabica beans from Rwanda taste entirely different from those sourced from China. Even within the same country, you’ll find hugely varying flavour profiles of beans grown in other regions. The Colombian coffee triangle, for example, is known for producing a wide range of flavours from fruity and sweet to chocolatey and nutty.
Environmental elements that will shape the flavour profile of a bean include soil type, climate, altitude and surrounding vegetation.
How beans are harvested also affects their flavour. For example, in Brazil machine harvesting is a common practice. This process involves collecting coffee cherries by robotically stripping or shaking whole branches of coffee plants at the same time. While saving labour costs and speeding up the harvesting process, yields from machine harvesting ultimately contain both unripe and ripe beans, which if missed in the sorting process, will negatively influence flavour.
Conversely, hand-picking beans allow coffee farmers to ensure only the ripest cherries are selected, resulting in higher quality beans. There are also unique harvesting processes such as those used in Kopi Luwak coffee, where civets (small catlike animals), pick, eat, partially digest and excrete coffee cherries, which are later collected, cleaned and processed by coffee farmers. The civets only pick the the sweetest beans available, resulting in an enhancement of flavour in this type of bean.
Processing, the post-harvest process of separating coffee beans from cherry flesh, also has a significant effect on the taste of your bean.
Dry or natural processing can either add delicious fruity and earthy flavours to the bean, or if beans aren’t regularly turned, result in unsavoury and unpleasant tastes. Wet or washed processing, where cherries are left to soak in water, is renowned for producing more complex flavoured coffee. Lastly, pulped natural processing is known for creating sweeter and ‘cleaner’ coffee beans.
Whether your coffee beans are single-origin or blended is another factor to consider. Many Arabica beans can be combined with beans from other regions and countries to produce completely new, unique flavours that are a world away from their original taste.
At Coffee Direct, for example, alongside our single-origin roasts, we have a diverse range of Arabica blends. With over 30 years of blending experience, our roasters expertly combine different bean types to produce the finest coffee blends. These blends undergo countless taste tests and are roasted on order to guarantee you only ever receive the freshest possible beans.
How long your roaster decides to roast the beans will drastically affect their colour and taste. While there are exceptions with each roast, generally, light roasts tend to produce diverse, floral flavours with vibrant aromas. Medium roasts, being roasted for longer, have caramelised sugars inside the bean, creating sweeter, smoother flavours. Dark roasted Arabica beans typically have less acidity and are full-bodied with deep, rich and intense flavours.
5 of the best Arabica coffee beans
All our 100% Arabica coffee beans are freshly roasted to order, prepared for a wide range of brewing methods, and packaged in foil fresh bags with a one-way valve, to guarantee the best Arabica experience.
You can view our entire range here or get some inspiration from five of our best coffee Arabica roasts below.
Monsoon Malabar Coffee (From £14.99)
Our Monsoon Malabar beans are produced in one of the wettest regions of southern India and are exposed to monsoon conditions for three to four months. The result is a heavy-bodied coffee with beautifully mellow flavours and nutty aromas.
“Amazing coffee full of flavour and a lovely rich crema produced. This one is for when you have guests as it’s certainly going to impress! Very satisfying when taking the first few sips of the first coffee of the day. If you’re a serious coffee drinker, you will know exactly what I mean.”
Steve R. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee (From £15.99)
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is a big customer favourite and among one of our best washed beans. The high-quality coffee beans produce a smooth, fruity and mild brew that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
“A light, drinkable coffee without a bitter aftertaste.”
John H. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Beans (From £19.99)
Made using a 100% chemical-free decaffeination process, our Swiss Water Decaf blend is an excellent pick if you’re looking to cut down on your caffeine intake. 99.9% caffeine-free, this medium roast Arabica from Brazil is a versatile blend that tastes as delicious as a filtered brew as it does a short, sharp espresso.
“The Swiss Decaf is, without doubt, the best decaf coffee we have ever tasted! Honestly tastes just as good as high-quality full caffeine beans.”
Tom B. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blue Mountain Jamaica Coffee (From £48.99)
Grown at high altitudes in the cool climates of the legendary Blue Mountains, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is a contender for the most exclusive and sought-after coffee in the world. The luxurious beans produce a clean, subtle cup with nutty flavours and a signature smooth aftertaste.
“This is no doubt the best coffee in the world.”
Linda S. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Breakfast Blend Coffee (From £13.99)
Made with a selection of Arabica beans, as its name suggests, this light roast blend is the perfect way to start your day. Despite being mild in strength, the beans are full of flavour and retain plenty of body to wake up your senses in the early AM.
“This is a nice way to start the day! A flavourful coffee, strong yet smooth with a pleasant aftertaste”
Martin S. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Arabica coffee vs Robusta coffee
One of the most frequently asked questions we hear on the subject of Arabica coffee is ‘How is it different from Robusta coffee?’
As we established earlier on when discussing Arabica/Robusta, Robusta coffee beans come from a different coffee plant species - the Coffea canephora. Compared to the Coffea arabica, the Coffea canephora grows at lower altitudes, in higher temperatures and is less affected by diseases and pests. Much easier to grow, Robusta coffee beans are the more affordable option and Arabica beans with their more intricate coffee production processes are generally more expensive.
However, when it comes to the 'which bean is better - Robusta/Arabica’ debate, there is no correct answer. Taste is completely subjective, so you’ll find some people prefer Robusta beans and other Arabica. Arabica beans have higher acidity levels and sweet, soft and fruity flavours, whereas, Robusta beans have very little acidity and intense, woody flavours. Due to the intensity of their flavours, Robusta beans are often used in instant coffee, as a base for Arabica blends, or as an espresso staple on the Italian coffee scene.
FAQs
Does Arabica coffee have caffeine?
Yes. Although Arabica coffee beans vary in caffeine content, unless you choose a decaffeinated roast, you’ll find caffeine content in your Arabica coffee beans.
Are Arabica beans the best?
Which coffee bean is better Arabica or Robusta? Ultimately, when it comes to Arabica and Robusta, taste is subjective and will vary from person to person. This said, generally speaking, if a group of people were to take an Arabica and Robusta taste test, you’re likely to see coffee Arabica emerge as the preferred choice over coffee Robusta.
However, if you're looking to keep costs as low as possible, prefer instant coffee or a brew with incredibly intense flavours, Robusta beans for coffee are the way to go.
What brands of coffee are made with Arabica beans?
You’ll be able to tell if your coffee is Arabica by giving your coffee packaging a quick scan. Coffee Direct has over 65 single-origin and blended roasts that are 100% Arabica. You can browse our selection of Arabica, aka ‘mountain coffee’ here.