Arabica Coffee - 100% Arabica Coffees
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".
- Monsoon Malabar CoffeeMonsoon Malabar, a wonderful variety from our Asian coffee range, is picked in the Malabar region of India, one of the wettest regions of southern India, undergoes an especially unique process to bring out the beans' fullest flavours. Straight after being harvested the Malabar beans are transported to open warehouses along the Malabar Coast, where they will be exposed to the harsh, moist winds of the area's monsoons for around three to four months. While they are stored in these open ...
From £14.99★★★★★1203 Review(s) - Dark Decaffeinated Colombian CoffeeIf you're looking for a quality decaf coffee that doesn't sacrifice on strength and intense flavours, then our Dark Decaffeinated Colombian is for you. Ideal for deep, aromatic espressos, these beans offer the rich and luxurious flavour of chocolate and produce wonderfully full-bodied coffees that won't be keeping you up all night. Our Dark Decaffeinated Colombian is roasted on order, so it will arrive to you as fresh as possible, bursting with intoxicating aromas and packed full of flavour, ...
From £14.99★★★★★413 Review(s) - 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) - Swiss Water Decaffeinated CoffeeDecaffeinated coffee is ideal for those who want to enjoy their favourite blends at any time of day, without the effects of caffeine, however the process of removing caffeine from a bean can also remove much of the bean's flavour. That's why the Swiss Water Process is a favourite method of decaffeinating coffee: it doesn't remove the flavour and strength of coffee beans in the act of removing the caffeine, and doesn't use any chemicals. In the method, coffee beans are first soaked in hot ...
From £19.99★★★★★525 Review(s) - Arabica Supremo CoffeeAn extraordinary, complex blend of 100% Arabica beans from five different coffee-growing locations across the world, puts Arabica Supremo high on the list of the finest blends to be created. Deep, rich and smooth, with an exotic, spicy aroma, the recipe for this ingenious mix of high quality, expertly roasted beans is a well-kept secret, but once tried, you’ll be left in no doubt as to how amazing it tastes. Arabica Supremo is roasted dark, with a strength level of 8/10, and flavour and ...
From £19.99★★★★★249 Review(s) - Old Brown Java CoffeeIdeal for espresso, our strong Old Brown Java beans are aged as green beans for at least two years before being roasted, giving the coffee a heavier body and a powerful flavour, but very little acidity. The process of ageing beans is popular among many Javanese coffee producers and can last for as long as three years, during which green beans may be 'monsooned' by being exposed to the warm, moist air of the rainy seasons. As the green beans age they often begin to turn to a light brown ...
From £14.99★★★★★359 Review(s) - Dark Colombian CoffeeOur Dark Colombian is a slightly stronger coffee than our Colombian Medium Roast, which makes it more versatile as it is suitable for cafetiere use, filter coffees and intense espressos. Again using Medellin Excelso, from Colombia's Cordillera Central in the Andes, this excellent coffee really does display some of the finer qualities of the renowned Colombian coffee bean: a rich aroma, luxurious depth and sweet flavours of fruit and chocolate. These Colombian beans benefit from being grown ...
From £14.99★★★★★189 Review(s) - Blue Sumatra CoffeeThis strong Indonesian coffee comes from Sumatra, the second largest of the Indonesian islands, and is considered among the finest examples from the region. Indonesia itself is the fourth largest coffee producer in the world, and the longitude and latitude of the country make for particularly well suited micro-climates in producing a diverse, flavoursome variety of beans. In fact, depending on the region, Indonesian coffees are known to be imbued with flavours of cocoa, smoke, cedar wood, ...
From £15.99★★★★★295 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★★★★★200 Review(s) - Java Santos CoffeeThis blend of Indonesian Java and Brazilian Santos creates a wonderfully strong coffee that's full of flavour, but without any bitterness. Java, or Kopi Jawa as Indonesians refer to it, is typically a strong, slightly sweet coffee, and it works wonders here with the light body and low acidity of Santos. The balance of flavours creates an indulgent blend that's best enjoyed as an espresso, but can also be used in a cafetiere or as a base for your favourite filter coffees.
From £14.99★★★★★168 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) - Guatemala Swiss Water Decaffeinated CoffeeGuatemala Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee offers the typical taste profile of a Guatemalan coffee, but without the caffeine, so it can be enjoyed at any time of the day or evening. It is produced using the ingenious Swiss Water Decaffeination Process, a method that removes caffeine from coffee without the use of chemicals, and without losing the wonderful flavours contained in quality Arabica beans. It is a medium bodied cup with good acidity, a rich aroma, and hints of citrus and caramel. ...
From £22.99★★★★★70 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) - Dark Maragogype CoffeeThe coffee industry in Guatemala began to develop in the 1850s, with small plantations flourishing. Cultivation of coffee and the country's coffee industry was given a sizeable boost during the Liberal Revolution of 1871, when goals of modernisation and trade improvements caused the bean to become an especially important crop. To this day coffee remains one of Guatemala's main exports, along with sugar, textiles and bananas. The particular bean used in our medium and mellow Dark Maragogype ...
From £18.99★★★★★125 Review(s) - Papua New Guinea CoffeeCoffee in Papua New Guinea is mostly cultivated in the country's five highlands provinces; Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Morobe and East Sepik. As a relatively small producer of coffee, Papua New Guinea generally sources its harvested beans from small land holdings, or 'coffee gardens', owned by farmers, which are located largely in isolated areas that do not require synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. Our Papua New Guinea coffee has a distinctive chocolate and nut flavour, ...
From £14.99★★★★★87 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) - Brazil Ipanema CoffeeExclusively prepared bourbon variety cherry beans. This unique coffee, grown in the Sul de Minas Gerais region of Brazil, to the Northwest of Rio, is slightly citric, has noticeable acidity and evident floral overtones. Its soft, mellow and sweet taste stands alone, producing distinct fragrances and aromas. The aftertaste is long, pleasant and almondy. Brazil Ipanema is suitable for all brewing methods, but excels in espresso-based drinks in particular. Want to read more about Brazil Ipanema ...
From £15.99★★★★★76 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) - Smokey Joe's CoffeeThis gorgeous combination of monsoon washed and Ling Tong Sumatran beans hits you immediately with its velvety sweetness, rich fruit flavours and smokey spiciness. Leaving behind an earthly and complex taste that is fantastic for a more savoury coffee, our Smokey Joe's is best enjoyed in the evening or after a meal, and compliments a dessert especially well. The monsoon washed beans undergo the heavy winds and rains of Indonesia's monsoon season, during a process that removes much of their ...
From £14.99★★★★★89 Review(s) - Peru CoffeeThis high grown coffee has a wonderful fruity and floral taste, with a sharp acidity and a subtle chocolate finish. Coffee is one of the largest agricultural exports of Peru, with approximately 200,000 small farms spanning the country from north to south, producing high quality arabica beans. Our Peru coffee goes wonderfully in your favourite filter coffees, and will also make a delightfully sharp espresso. Be sure to check out our wider range of South American coffee, including wonderful ...
From £14.99★★★★★63 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.