Often times one takes a moment to look at all the different high end coffee beans, Jamaican Blue Mountain, Kona, Huila, Geisha, Yirgacheffe the list goes on and on and on. But a common underlying theme is how these beans are grown. Their countries of origin and hemispheres may differ but there are a few different variables that they meet on a check-list that assists in making them all so great. But one we will focus on today is this; heights. What is it about coffee beans and altitude? What does being grown up on mountain slopes do to the beans? And does it affect the coffee’s flavor when brewed?
Coffee bean ideal growing conditions
So to be clear we will mainly be focusing on the Arabica coffee plant type. While other varietals exist that need their own particular growing conditions to come out truly superb, it is the Arabica plant that really thrives off of altitude. This is as opposed to Robusta plants with their hardy and tenacious nature that can thrive in a myriad of places the gentle Arabica plants would wilt in. Not only do Arabica plants do well to grow in high places though, but the flavor of the coffee is also affected by how high up the plants are. In fact, Arabica plants sometimes just don’t grow too well at all if they are too low to the ground. But it is being high up that we will be centered on today.
The science
To better understand why height is so important for the growing conditions of coffee, it’s important to get a decent grasp on the science. The higher up one climbs to grow coffee plants, the cooler it gets on the mountain. The cooler it is the slower the plants will grow and develop. When the plants experience a slower growth rate then a lot of the coffee plant’s resources go towards reproduction. This equals good coffee because more energy is targeted at developing the coffee plant’s beans. When the coffee plants up on mountains and highlands focus on bean production a chemical reaction occurs that results in the creation of more sugars. This extra sugar production then results in some of the tastier and higher quality coffee beans we find that grow way up high.
Another factor that higher altitudes provide to the creation of great coffee beans is drainage. Proper soil for good drainage is a must when cultivating coffee plants. When the plants are provided with soil conducive to proper drainage then the less water ends up in our coffee beans. What replaces the water is instead those tasty, tasty, complex flavor-creating sugars! Another sort of indirect factor of higher altitudes is the precipitation.
Since almost all if not 100% of all coffee growing regions are tropical or sub-tropical that means that the sun gets hot. Real hot. But with the humidity of the tropical climate and the higher altitudes, a nice fog, mist and cloud cover that results in plenty of rain showers always nurture the coffee plants. The rain water is a given as coffee plants need tons of water to really thrive, again these are Arabica plants, not the stoic Robusta which can withstand droughts. The clouds, though, allow the plants to undergo a special type of photosynthesis and also shield the plants from the sun. This way the tender Arabica plants don’t dry up and shrivel in the powerful tropical sun!
One more reason that is sort of just coincidental with high altitudes and the affects of high altitudes on coffee’s development is volcanoes. Active or otherwise! Now, since volcanoes often develop into mountains or burst forth from mountains (a dormant volcano we presume) the correlation between high up land and those big lava spewing things is pretty common. Volcanic soil is really beneficial for coffee plants too. The soil is often porous because it’s made from dried volcanic rock and that allows for good drainage. Not only that but the soil is often times packed with all sorts of different chemicals, vitamins, nutrients and minerals that also leads to happy and healthy coffee plants. The end result of that is a delicious coffee bean!
The higher the altitude, the higher the quality
Or so it generally is the case when cultivating coffee plants. This higher altitude=higher quality correlation can be found in the way some coffee beans are described on their labels, too. Here’s a handy explanation of some of the special terms one might see on their coffee beans and what one may expect with certain elevations.
SHB, HG and Altura
The first two terms stand for, “Super Hard Beans” and “High Grown” respectively. The third term, “Altura” is the Spanish word for “height”. And all three of these designations are roughly the same or very similar. They refer to beans grown from heights of 1300 meters (4500 feet) to 1500 meters (500 feet) high. The beans grown at these heights are generally considered to be the best of the absolute best coffee beans you can get your hands on. This is mostly a subjective perception, but that’s the general consensus thus far at least! Beans grown at these heights are very dense, which is the result of the slow growth they experience while on the cool mountain slopes. The fissure line that runs down the flat side of the bean should be closed and sort of zigzag looking or skewed a bit. As one descends in altitude, the beans will often get a bit softer, a little bigger, and have fissures that are wider. The flavor will also be different. The resulting coffee from this highest altitude, however, will be acidic, aromatic and with a vivacious flavor. Some hints, notes and tastes to expect with the highest altitude coffee beans include spicy, floral, fruity, berry and wine-like flavors. These very high altitude coffees often come from Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Guatemala. This category also includes the Sulawesi Papua New Guinea variety and Jamaican Blue Mountain.
High Altitude
The next highest category for coffee beans, High Altitude. These beans can be found around 1200 meters (4000 feet) high. The flavor palette for this grouping includes citrus, chocolate, nut and vanilla hints, notes and flavors. Look for coffee beans like Costa Rica, Mexico Altura, Nicaragua, Sumatra and Java.
Medium Altitude
This category hosts coffee beans grown at around 900 meters or 3000 feet high. When enjoying this category of coffee beans, be on the lookout for sweet and smooth flavors, hints and notes. Brazil’s Bourbon Santos is a great example of this altitude category.
Low Altitude
Climbing further down and closer to the ground at around 800 meters or 2500 feet high, the Low Altitude coffee beans still have some nice and pleasant flavor palettes to display. Still able to muster up some sweet and certainly subtle, soft and mild tastes. Hawaiian Kona is a bean to explore for those wanting to explore this part of the flavor mountain.
Very Low
This level includes coffee grown at 600 meters or 2000 feet high on the mountain or in highland areas. Some flavors to expect at this altitude include those described, perhaps a bit too honestly, as “bland” or even just, “simple”. Don’t count these beans out yet, though! Taste is subjective and there is certainly virtue to be found in beans grown at lower altitudes.
Sky High
Interested in exploring this mountainous array of different coffee flavors, hints, notes and characters? Ask your local barista about the altitude your beans were grown at. Or, check out your bag of beans at home or when shopping to see if the altitude is specified. You may be surprised by how high or how not high your favorite beans were grown at! The affects of altitude on the resulting beans are manifold. Things like higher acidity, denser beans and more sugar development while the beans are still growing all play a role in making great coffee beans. So, hopefully this article has been a helping hand for those intrepid and enterprising coffee lovers, explorers and adventurers who wish to climb the great coffee flavor mountain. Good luck and happy brewing!
Sources:
l “Coffee Guide: The Affect of Altitude on Beans.” STOKED Roasters + Coffeehouse, http://www.stokedroasters.com/blogs/news/coffee-guide-altitudes-affect-on-beans.
l “HOW DOES ALTITUDE AFFECT COFFEE AND ITS TASTE IN THE CUP? – AmaRin Coffee – Vietnam Coffee Roaster and Supplier.” Amarin, amarin.com.vn/how-does-altitude-affect-coffee-and-its-taste-in-the-cup.
l Perfect Daily Grind. “How Does Altitude Affect Coffee and Its Taste in the Cup?” Perfect Daily Grind, 7 June 2019, http://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2015/06/how-does-elevation-affect-coffee-and-its-taste-in-the-cup/.
