Gourmet Coffee - Where Does Your Coffee Come From?

When enjoying a good cup of coffee, rarely do people stop and think about the origin of such. Nowadays, with the popularization of coffee, there are many coffee companies that hold up some information in order to classify their product as gourmet. There are two main types of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta.

The Robusta beans have a higher concentration of caffeine, but lower aroma and flavor, making it a lower grade coffee. Robusta coffee plants are usually cultivated in lower elevations, and are more resistant to diseases and other factors that affect crops, making it a relatively inexpensive product. It is estimated that twenty percent of the world production of coffee is Robusta varietal.

Arabica beans on the other hand, represent eighty percent of the total world production. Its potent aroma and rich taste make up for its lower caffeine content, compared to robusta varietal. Although Arabica coffee beans are cultivated in many parts of the world, only a small percentage pass the SCAA (Speciality Coffee Association of America) guidelines.

Arabica beans are the principal component in true Gourmet Coffee. One of the most popular Gourmet beans are Costa Rica, Sumatra, Jamaica Blue Mountain, and Kona. Most of these coffees are grown at high altitudes, which range between three thousand and seven thousand feet. The volcanic soil, along with cool climate add aroma and give coffee its bold flavor.

The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, stop and find out where your coffee comes from. It just might make it more enjoyable.