The term "Arabica" often refers to a species of coffee plant, the coffea arabica shrub. It may also refer to the beans produced by this plant or the coffee brewed from those beans. The name derives from the Arabian Peninsula, one of the areas where the shrub was originally cultivated. It is one of the most widely produced coffee varieties in the world, and is generally agreed to be superior in taste and quality to another popular coffee variety known as Robusta coffee.
Arabica coffee is most commonly grown in South America, Asia, the eastern parts of Africa, and of course, Arabia. The country of Brazil is a top producer of this coffee variety, despite the fact that the Brazilian climate offers less than ideal growing conditions for coffee. Coffee plants thrive when grown at a relatively high altitude in a temperate climate with plenty of rain. The Arabica shrub in particular flourishes when planted in moderate shade conditions.
Unlike some other varieties of coffee plants, the arabica coffee plant can be cultivated at a wide range of altitudes, including areas that are well below sea level. Instead of the altitude being a major factor, the amount of rain the plants receive is more important. Generally, they do best when there is an average of forty to fifty-nine inches, or one to one and a half meters, of rain during the growing season. While the plants do have more tolerance for low temperatures than some other coffee varieties, the arabica coffee plant does best at a moderate temperature of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20 degrees Centigrade.
The robust flavor of arabica coffee has made it a favorite throughout the Arabian region. In recent years, the coffee has made inroads into other markets, particularly the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. While providing a highly desirable flavor that is rich and full, arabica coffee does not tend to be bitter to the taste, especially when freshly brewed. As with many types of coffees, it is possible to purchase a bag of whole Arabica beans as well as buy pre-ground coffee.
For people who love coffee but need to watch their consumption of caffeine, arabica coffee offers an alternative to purchasing decaffeinated coffees that are processed with harsh chemical to remove most of the caffeine content. While arabica coffee does contain more caffeine than most commercial decaffeinated products on the market today, the reduced amount is often enough to allow coffee fans to still enjoy a cup of their favorite beverage and not develop jitters later in the day. Fans of the coffee can also enjoy a cup after an evening meal and generally have no problems getting to sleep later in the evening.
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