Arabica coffee

About the Arabica coffee

Coffee actually starts with the bean, but the beans can be very different. Have you ever wondered what kinds exist? There are usually two basic ones – Arabica and Robusta. Arabica, which comprises around 60-70% of the world coffee market, has almost 1 000 different flavours, but is most often distinguished by its delicate fruity and floral notes. Do you want to know what else makes this bean so special?

Arabica: what makes it unique?

Arabica beans are not big, they are elongated and have a curved groove in the middle. The beans are hard and rich in nutritional compounds that are beneficial to the body. They contain hundreds of flavours that are revealed when the beans are roasted. Still, their taste is often described as mild and sweet, with fruity, floral notes. This type of coffee bean is distinguished not only by its delicacy but also by the growing conditions. Arabica coffee beans thrive best at higher altitudes where the climate is cooler and more humid. Brazil is the largest producer. It is not by chance that this type of coffee is called Arabica, as it was the first to arrive on the Arabian Peninsula from Ethiopia, the so-called “home of coffee”. Although the cultivation of Arabica is demanding, the results are worth the effort. The high quality beans impart a distinctive aroma and flavour to the coffee that is impossible to forget. Make sure that the next time you enjoy your coffee, it starts with a carefully grown Arabica coffee bean.

Arabica coffee beans

The most aromatic coffee is always made from freshly ground beans, for every individual cup. If you like coffee with fruity and floral aromas and subtle acidity, Arabica is just perfect for you. Arabica coffee beans tend to be milder than Robusta and have less caffeine, which means they are perfect to be enjoyed in the evening. When grinding the beans, you can control the coarseness of the grind based on the method of preparation. Also take into account the roasting of the beans. The most commonly used roast levels include light, medium-light, medium, medium-dark and dark roasts. The flavour notes of light roast are fruitier, more berry-like and with a pleasant sweet acidity. Meanwhile, the darker the roast, the more bitter the flavours, with chocolate and liqueur notes. 

The choice of Arabica beans in the Coffee Friend assortment gives you the opportunity to discover a variety of shades of flavours, depending on the roast level and region of origin. Beans from many different regions have unique characteristics, allowing you to travel around the world simply by enjoying the different varieties. We offer Arabica coffee beans from well-known and niche brands, along with our own developed lines. These include the popular Caprisette line with its Italiano and Professional Arabica blends, Parallel 100% Arabica coffee, and Black Crow White Pigeon beans, which bear the exclusive quality label.

Arabica ground coffee 

Ground coffee beans, already prepared for your favourite coffee brewing method. This is the fastest and easiest way to make a cup of aromatic coffee, and there’s a reason why it’s the most popular form of coffee. The reason to choose ground coffee from the Arabica coffee bean is because of its distinctive qualities, which create a unique and delightful drinking experience. Arabica is known for its complex and subtle character, combining different flavours and aromas. It tends to be characterised by delicate hints of fruit and berry notes, which give it a refreshing and light touch. Another important feature of Arabica is its lower acidity compared to other beans. This imparts a smooth and pleasant taste without leaving a bitter aftertaste.

When considering which coffee to choose, pay attention to the grind level. Different grind levels are specific to different brewing methods. For example, a medium grind is best for filter methods, whereas choosing a too fine grind can lead to excessively bitter or sour flavours. For those who are looking for ground Arabica coffee, we have prepared a wide range of coffees at Coffee Friend. If you’re looking for a pure Arabica coffee, we recommend the Parallel and Black Crow White Pigeon lines, and if you want to try blends, we recommend Caprisette Italiano, Professional. 

Arabica specialty coffee

Only around 10% of all coffee produced reaches specialty grade. Specialty coffees are rated under a strict quality system. Different characteristics are assessed: aroma, aftertaste, acidity, body, purity, sweetness and others. Only those that achieve the best score, i.e. 80 points or more out of a possible 100, are awarded the title of high quality coffee. Although blends do occur, the most common type of coffee is usually based on a single origin, the Arabica bean. Why? It has a more pronounced flavour, more complexity and less bitterness. These beans have a wide range of characteristics depending on the region of origin and climate conditions. 

The label Single origin is often found on the packaging of specialty coffees. This refers to coffee that originates from one specific place. What does the country of origin of the beans reveal? Ethiopian beans may have floral and citrus notes, Colombian beans may have notes of chocolate and caramel and Kenyan beans may have notes of berries and wine A very rich, multiregional flavour is offered by Coffee Friend’s Black Crow White Pigeon 100% Arabica specialty coffee. However, if you are used to drinking blends but want to take the first step towards a specialty coffee, Parallel’s Arabica blends are a perfect choice. Don’t hesitate and start exploring a wide range of coffees and experimenting with well-known brands!

Arabica for different types of coffee

Arabica beans may be found in many forms of coffee. Each of them allows you to enjoy Arabica in different forms, adapting it to your favourite flavours and preparation methods.

Coffee pods

The pods are filled with freshly ground coffee and are sealed, depending on the type of bean. Arabica coffee pods are characterised by a wide variety of subspecies and a mild yet distinctive flavour. We recommend Arabica pods for those looking for a touch of playfulness in their cup, where the combination of richness and smoothness meet. Our assortment offers a wide selection of pods for the most popular capsule systems such as NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto®, Nespresso.

No special skills are needed to prepare a cup of aromatic black coffee, a delicate cappuccino or a delicious latte with creamy foam at home. All you need are coffee pads of ground coffee and a Senseo coffee machine. Again, when choosing your pads, pay attention to the type of beans. Coffee pads can be filled with 100% Arabica, 100% Robusta or a mixture of Arabica and Robusta. If you prefer a particularly aromatic and mild to medium strength coffee, choose pads that are filled with Arabica.

ESE coffee pods

Some prefer the choice of beans, others the convenience of pods, and still others the E.S.E pods. E.S.E. coffee pods are one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare espresso coffee or other espresso-based drinks – with milk, syrups and other additives. When choosing a coffee, pay attention to the choice of beans. Arabica is recommended for those looking for lighter, less bitter, more pleasant flavours, as this type of bean is sweeter, milder and often fruitier. Still, for a balance between a strong and mild coffee, E.S.E. coffee pods with a blend of Arabica and Robusta are best – Arabica will impart smoothness, while Robusta will give a stronger texture, creaminess and a stronger caffeine effect.

Instant coffee

Are you looking for a convenient alternative to your regular coffee? All you need to do is pour hot water over instant coffee, which comes in a wide variety of flavours. Typically, instant coffee is made from Robusta beans or is a blend of Arabica and Robusta, but the majority of our range is 100% Arabica. Coffee brewed from them is of a higher quality and reveals more delicate, particularly pleasant notes.

Decaffeinated coffee

Do you want to enjoy traditional coffee but avoid caffeine and its effects? Decaf coffee is the ideal choice. If you prefer a smooth and light coffee drink, we recommend Arabica beans. Nevertheless, you should not only look at the label “100% Arabica”, but also consider the subspecies of the coffee and the region it originates from, as this will provide clues to the flavour characteristics – caramel, chocolate sweetness, citrus sweetness, etc. 

Arabica from different regions of the world

As we’ve already mentioned, Arabica has almost 1000 different flavours (more than wine!). Beans grown in different regions will have different qualities, so when making your choice, take a look at the region it originates from. Most of the world’s coffee comes from South and Central America. They all have sweet, chocolaty, nutty notes. Coffee from Central America is milder, while coffee from South America is richer and has a longer lasting aftertaste. Meanwhile, African coffees tend to be mild, refreshing, fruity and even tea-tasting. Asian coffee is surprisingly exotic, with hints of exotic spices, wood, tobacco, wine, and the “body” of the bean is rich and firm.

Arabica coffee sets

Have you got any doubts about which region to choose? Arabica coffee sets offer you all of them! Different flavours and varieties allow you to experiment with different coffees until you find your favourite one. Alternatively, if you’ve already found one, you can buy several packs of the same type at a better price. It is a good option to keep your stock and save money at the same time. Moreover, sets of the most popular Arabica coffee could be a great idea for a gift. The gift-packed sets are ready to be given for a wide range of occasions, from housewarmings to celebrations.

Arabica for different types of preparation

When choosing a coffee, it is important to consider not only the type of bean, but also how it will be processed. Methods of preparation can be divided into two main categories: espresso and filter. Each of them is very unique and can develop different flavours. 

If you prefer milder, more delicate and often somewhat deeper flavours and enjoy the brewing process, filter coffee could be your choice. Just like all coffees, it comes in different bean types. We recommend that you choose Arabica beans for your filter coffee machine or other filter coffee makers such as Chemex, French Press, AeroPress, Cold Brew. Why? This type of coffee is characterised by its mildness, less bitterness and less caffeine, which is particularly important for those who like delicacy and lightness. In addition, this type of beans reveals many different notes depending on the region from which they originate. And it’s a wide range of special flavours that we look for when it comes to a filter coffee cup.

Do you enjoy rich, intense flavours? The espresso coffee recipe also reflects the type of beans. Coffee for automatic, semi-automatic coffee machines and Moka pots will result in a smooth, expressive blend if you choose 100% Arabica beans. It will impart a touch of delicate intensity to your espresso or black coffee. Meanwhile, if you want to achieve a particularly balanced taste, combining the natural fruitiness of Arabica slightly toned down and bitter notes added, choose a blend of Arabica and Robusta. Such blends will make your coffee extra strong and give it a rich, creamy foam.

Arabica for the percolator

The classic brewing method will result in the intensity and richness of Arabica. It is the Arabica bean that is perfect for the percolator because of its distinctive flavour and aroma. Its different varieties are particularly expressive during percolation, with hints of chocolate, nuts, fruit or a touch of floral notes. A medium coarseness of the coffee bean grind is important, so that the coffee brewed with the percolator retains its natural oils and intensity.

Arabica from local coffee roasters

Arabica is a symbol of a high-quality bean, yet its distinctiveness does not come naturally. It requires careful cultivation and meticulous roasting. That’s why you should choose coffee from local roasters. They roast the beans in smaller quantities so that the coffee is always fresh and the flavour is intense and aromatic. These roasters have an excellent understanding of their raw materials and can offer a unique type of coffee that you won’t find in mass-produced product. By choosing products from local roasters, you can enjoy fresh, delicious and authentic coffee that reflects the true nature of Arabica.

Do you need help with your choice?

Coffee Friend offers more than 100 different varieties of coffee. So if you’re not sure which coffee is the best for you, or if you need more advice, feel free to get in touch with us in the most convenient way for you – by email, phone