Arabica coffee beans have a sweeter, less acidic, and more profound flavor profile compared to other coffee varieties such as Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa, making it the most popular coffee in the world. Its origins can even be traced back to the 15th century when coffee berries were first discovered in Moka, Yemen.
It was the Arabs who popularized drinking coffee as we do today, and they cultivated coffee berries as a crop, which is where the name Arabica coffee came from. In this article, you will find a list of the 10 best Arabica coffee beans in the Philippines curated by the mybest team, as well as helpful tips when buying Arabica coffee beans.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
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Here are the key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below
There are about 12 varieties of Arabica beans cultivated worldwide and each has a distinct flavor, level of acidity, and sweetness. We list them down below. Read on to see which variety appeals to you most!
Heirloom is the oldest variety of coffee in the world and is considered the forefathers of Arabica beans. However, due to its smaller yields and sensitivity to climate and altitude, not many are growing it commercially anymore despite how superb its quality is. It makes them very expensive because of their rarity.
Moreover, it has a sweeter, cleaner flavor profile, and has the lowest acidity compared to other Arabica beans. Its flavor is reminiscent of berries, citrus, mango, peach, and fresh black tea that leaves a juicy aftertaste on the palate.
Gesha or sometimes called Geisha, is a sub-cultured Arabica bean that originated from Ethiopia. It is one of the high-priced coffee beans in the world that are cultivated in Panama. It is also considered one of the best-tasting Arabica varieties. And, it is the only coffee bean that has the exquisite combination of the aroma of jasmine, chocolate, honey, and black tea, which makes it the most expensive coffee bean in the world.
Hybrid Arabica beans such as Caturra (Portugal), Catuai (Java), Mundo Novo (Portugal), Yellow Bourbon, Variedad Colombia, Timor, and Kenya were created following a mutation of two or several beans. These types of coffee beans have more yield; therefore, they are less expensive. They all have stronger and fruity flavors with varying degrees of acidity and bitter taste.
Bourbon and Typica are the two oldest Arabica varieties that were cultivated from Heirloom beans. They were engineered to adapt to certain climates and altitudes. Both varieties have smaller yields, which is the reason why they are not many Bourbon and Typica beans sold in the market. Their flavor is the closest to Heirloom beans which is fruity, sweet, clean, and less acidic.
Catimor or Java coffee bean is a hybrid coffee created by the Dutch and cultivated in Indonesia. It has a unique herbal taste with a slightly spicy and smoky twist that is close to roasted tea and citrus zest. Plus, its slightly bitter taste gives the coffee a bolder flavor. Catimor beans also have the lowest acidity compared to other hybrid varieties.
If you’re looking for a delightful twist to your cup of coffee, try blended and flavored varieties. Such flavors include hazelnut, vanilla, berries, cinnamon, and more. These are perfect if you want to make iced coffee, coffee-blended drinks, or drunk as it is. The extra flavor and aroma surely make your coffee more enjoyable.
On the other hand, blended coffee means Arabica coffee is mixed with other coffee bean varieties, which is usually Robusta. Each coffee brand offers a distinct taste according to the ratio of Arabica to other coffee varieties. But, the idea is to balance the taste in terms of flavor, aroma, and acidity or to give it a bolder and more profound taste.
In practice, the roasting process is a key factor that affects the final taste of the coffee beans. If you are particular about it, you would realize that every coffee brand offers different tastes. That is because every level of heat affects the bitterness, acidity, sweetness, and tartness of the coffee beans.
When coffee beans are roasted, some of the antioxidants are chemically altered by the heat. The higher the heat is applied the lesser the antioxidants it will have. So, if you want a higher dose of antioxidants, and a juicy, sweet, and supple taste, choose light roast. However, keep in mind that lightly roasted coffee beans also tend to be highly acidic.
Medium roast is close to light roast in taste but less acidic. It retains the fruity flavor of the berries during the process, thus delivering a sweet, nutty, and flavorful cup of coffee. It contains a high level of antioxidants, too, as it did not stay long in the heat. It is great if you want to have that lovely coffee taste and loads of the good stuff.
Medium-dark roasted coffee beans have a slightly smoky taste with a bolder flavor. Although it may contain lesser antioxidants compared to the first two, it contains significantly lower acidity. Medium-dark roast coffee has a more complex flavor compared to others because it brings out trigonelline, a compound found in coffee beans that enhances its aroma and taste.
If you’d like coffee with a chocolatey flavor with a bitter and toasty twist, you will love dark roasted coffee beans. Dark roasts have a charred, richer, and full-bodied flavor. Due to the high temperature, the oils in the beans are released which contributes to their flavor. And the best thing is, it has the lowest acidity level.
Getting to know how the coffee beans were processed is vital to understanding which beans carry specific flavors. The process determines how fruity, juicy, and sour the beans would be. This will also tell you which coffee offers a consistent flavor profile and which ones have the most exotic taste.
This process is the natural or ancient way of processing coffee beans. The pulp or covering of the coffee berries is dried along with the beans which contribute to its sweet and fruity flavor. After drying, coffee beans are then put in a mill to be removed from their covering. This process allows the beans to take on more of the natural flavor of the berries.
The beans are taken out and washed from their covering after harvest, thus making it easier for coffee manufacturers to produce a consistent flavor. The downside of it is that it loses its fruity flavor and tends to be acidic as they are left to de-pulp in water which sometimes allows fermentation to occur. The good thing is that wet-processed coffee beans have a brighter and juicier flavor.
Honey-processed coffee beans simply mean that the pulp and skin of the coffee berries are separated before drying. This method preserves the berry flavor because the sticky layer of the fruits is not washed, unlike wet-processed ones. Honey-processed coffee is also less acidic because it didn’t go through fermentation, and they have a delightful berry flavor.
If you want to make the most of your coffee sessions, make sure you check how your coffee beans were packed. Coffee can be packed in PET or glass bottles, airtight one-way valve packets, and vacuum-sealed bags. But, whatever packaging you decide on, make sure it is untampered to avoid compromising your coffee’s quality. Lastly, do check for the expiry date to ensure freshness.
If you haven't tried Bo's Coffee Sagada yet, try it now and thank us later. It is one of the best-tasting coffees you'll ever come across. This is because it came from the two oldest breeds of Heirloom Arabica beans, such as Typica and Red Bourbon.
Heirloom, Typica, and Bourbon are the rarest and most sought-after coffee tastes because of their incomparable layers of flavor. These beans come from a single-origin crop, which means they are non-GMO. Only a few countries grow these varieties, which is why they are expensive. Fortunately, we are among those that cultivate them.
This coffee tastes best when it is consumed black. It has a subtle, clean, sweet, fruity, nutty, and well-balanced flavor with a hint of chocolate and fresh tobacco. You'd love it more because of its relatively low to medium acidity.
This dark roast coffee from Saint Nicholas Coffee will give a pleasantly intense coffee experience with every cup. The coffee beans are from the Typica variety, which has a clean and fruity flavor. The dark roast level further elevates its flavor and adds a smoky aroma with hints of fresh tobacco to the beans.
You can choose between whole beans or pre-ground and choose what type of container upon order. Though, personally, we like the classy recyclable container that will add some charm to your pantry. Another good thing is that the brand roasts the coffee beans from the date of your order, so you can receive freshly-roasted beans every time.
For folks who have acid reflux, here is a coffee for you! Tyler's Coffee is the first acid-free coffee made from 100% Arabica beans. It will let you enjoy the taste of coffee minus the acid. But, despite being acid-free, it still retains the sweetness, aroma, fruity, and nutty taste of Arabica beans.
The beans are a hybrid variety grown in Mexico where some of the best coffee beans are. The good thing is that they are organically farmed. The brand is also USDA- approved and recommended by doctors for people who have sensitive stomachs. This makes it ideal for coffee lovers who habitually drink more than 5 cups daily.
The Highlands Special Arabica had earned praise at the 2015 Global Specialty Coffee Expo in Seattle. Plus, international coffee Q graders describe this as having a caramel aftertaste. Its flavor profile is also described to be close to roasted bananas and jackfruit, possessing medium body and bitterness, which makes for a smooth-tasting cup.
Hineleban Farms use 100% Arabica beans from the Typica variety, one of the oldest and rarest breeds of Arabica coffee, and they are organically and sustainably grown in Mt. Kitanglad. Moreover, a tree is planted in your name by the Hinelaban Foundation for every bag of coffee you buy! Go ahead and buy this delicious coffee so the next generations can enjoy it too.
You don't have to go to your favorite coffee shop if you feel like having iced or flavored coffee. Just try this Hazelnut-flavored coffee from Organic Coffee Co! The brand uses 100% Arabica beans of the Kona variety, one of the best-tasting coffee in the world grown in Hawaii.
The hazelnut essence will tickle your senses as it mixes with the revitalizing aroma of the coffee, elevating the fragrance it gives off. Kona coffee beans also have a light, sweet, and fruity flavor with hints of spice and nuts. That way, you can make a great frappuccino or iced coffee with this one or drink it as it is.
Basilio Coffee is another Filipino brand worth boasting about. They use beans that are grown organically in the mountains of Mt. Atok and Caikling, which gives the beans its distinct taste. To give you a more unique experience, the beans are only roasted upon order. Plus, you can also specify your roast level preference!
This ensures you receive the beans in their optimum quality. What also sets this brand apart is that they air roast their coffee beans. This process results in a more even roast and brings out the coffee bean’s flavor and aroma better.
If you fancy fruity and slightly sour coffee with a sweet aftertaste, this Light Roast Specialty Limu from Blk and Bold will suit your palate. Lightly roasted beans have a pleasantly sharp acidity. Plus, the beans come from single-origin Arabica beans, giving it complex layers of flavor.
If you like taking your coffee black, this roast is great for that. It will deliver an energizing cup with a fruity and sweet aftertaste. You will also taste a hint of chocolate and subtle floral and spicy overtones. However, they tend to be slightly acidic and might not be good for people with acid reflux, so drink moderately.
Mt. Whiney Coffee Roasters uses 100% heirloom, organic Arabica beans straight from the motherland of coffee-Ethiopia. They also employ sustainable practices, from paying fair wages to their workers to hand picking the coffee cherries. This particular variety is sold as whole beans, so you can savor fresh-tasting coffee every time you make a cup.
You can enjoy the layers of flavors in every cup and its clean and well-balanced acidity. Plus, the coffee beans are grown at an elevation of 6,000 ft above sea level and handpicked upon harvest. This gives it unique hints of citrus, juicy apples, soothing eucalyptus, lemon balm, and the richness of English Breakfast teaーtruly an incomparable flavor!
If you love flavored coffee, you would love this Mocha Blend from The Roasted Ground. It contains 100% Arabica beans of the Typica variety grown in Benguet, Philippines. The coffee shrubs are organically grown from single-origin Typica and handpicked by farmers during harvest.
Benguet coffee bean farmers also adopt sustainable and eco-friendly farming that still follows the natural ways of processing coffee beans. This is why their coffees are world-class in quality. It tastes fruity, juicy with bright and pleasant acidity, nutty, and has hints of chocolate. Mocha essence is also added to this premium roast to elevate its flavors.
Start your day with a premium roast from the Kick-Start Coffee series. This local brew is made from 100% Arabica beans roasted in medium heat to perfection. Moreover, Silca Coffee boasts its selection of carefully-selected fresh coffee beans to deliver a profound flavor.
It has a rich, bold, and aromatic flavor that will fill your lungs each time you make a cup of coffee, perfect for kickstarting your day. You’ll also experience a sweet, slightly tart, nutty, and chocolatey taste that will linger on your palate. Best of all, you can enjoy the taste of premium-grade coffee at an affordable price!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Arabica coffee tastes sweeter, fruitier, and nuttier depending on the region where they are grown. Some Arabica beans can bear floral and herbal to chocolatey notes. Moreover, they have a smoother and subtler flavor than all coffee bean varieties. However, due to their natural sugar content, Arabica beans tend to be more acidic compared to Robusta or other bean varieties.
If you love Arabica coffee but are worried about the caffeine content, here's some good news. A regular cup of Arabica coffee only contains 95 mg of caffeine. It is slightly higher than the Excelsa variety, but it is a lot lower than Robusta coffee beans which contain 265 mg per cup. An adult can take up to 400 mg of caffeine a day, so with Arabica coffee, it means you can enjoy at least 2 cups a day.
Yes, Arabica coffee tends to be acidic, which is the sharp sensation you get when you first drink coffee. In fact, it is the most acidic among the types of coffee. But, the type of roast level can also affect coffee’s acidity regardless of its bean variety. So, remember, the lighter the roast, the more acidic it will be.
Depending on your preference, you can choose which roast level is more compatible with your taste buds. But, if you have a problem with acid reflux, you should avoid light-roasted coffee beans and opt for medium to darker roasts instead.
Knowing the different types of coffee beans helps you pick which roast and variety will complement your palate best. You have explored Arabica coffee, now have a look at more coffee varieties at the recommended links below.
Author: J. Montayre
Editor: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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