Almost all of us need a quick way to wake up and a rush of energy in the morning, by indulging in a cup of aromatic coffee. Be it in the form of espresso, cappuccino, latte or ice coffee. Whether you have sweetened it or added milk or cream, it is what gives us vitality and vigor to start our day with a smile and ready to go.
However, do you know which variety of coffee occupies the highest percentage of production in the world? This is the Arabica coffee, also known as Arabic coffee, which we will tell you about in more detail.
Ethiopia is recognized as the homeland of the Arabica variety, where wild plants from which the Arabic coffee is made can still be found today. It is not clear when exactly it was cultivated, but it is believed that this happened for the first time in Yemen around the 7th century. In the first written documents, pointing to this fact, date back to around the 12th century. It reaches Europe much later.
It is certain that for the first time the beans are roasted and they are used to make what we know as coffee in the Arabian Peninsula. Hence the coffee gets its name Arabica or Arabic coffee.
Arabica can be distinguished by its rather mild taste compared to other coffee varieties and that's probably what made it so popular around the world. Even its much more expensive price compared to others has not failed to hinder its fame. We will also add the fact, that the best quality oil from green coffee is from the Arabica variety.
Today, there are over 300 species of Arabica grown in over 40 countries. This plant is quite capricious and in the care for it, as well as in the subsequent processing of the beans, people make incredible efforts. Its cultivation employs so many workers, that it is their main livelihood, as well as the engine of the economy for many countries.
Brazil is said to be the largest Arabica producer, but the Colombian is undoubtedly the best. If you have visited this exotic country, you have probably wondered why all cars crossing its border are sprayed with detergents. This is done in order to keep the unique varieties of Arabica healthy without the risk of damage due to unknown diseases.
Major producers of the Arabic coffee are also Costa Rica, Kenya, Ethiopia, El Salvador, India and others. Climatic conditions in Europe make it impossible to grow it in European countries, but fortunately imports and exports today are so well developed, that there is no danger, that soon we will have to lose our favorite morning drink, which we love to combine with coffee sweets, butter cookies and walnut cookies.
