Arabica coffee beans originated from Yemen and Ethiopia. It is the first genus of coffee that was cultivated; it has been growing in southwest Arabia for about a thousand years now. Arabica coffee beans are considered the best in the world; better than any other coffee bean produced anywhere.

The Pope and the Pot

Europe being the civilized society as it was back in the seventeenth century, aided in the rise of Arabica coffee beans' popularity. Unfortunately due to the fact that Arabica coffee beans come from Moslem countries made Rome a little bit irked at the fact that it was so popular.

So Pope Clement VIII, a bit wary of the Moslem religion's sudden surge of popularity wanted to make coffee into a drink that was Christian. He wisely tried a pot of coffee, and despite the opposition of his advisors he blessed the Arabica coffee beans concoction and made it a Christian brew.

The Revolution and the Arabica

Coffee houses in America were born when Dorothy Jones was first licensed to sell Arabica coffee beans to the colonies. It was in the coffee houses that the declaration of independence was first read. The Boston Tea Party was held in a coffee house, and that's where revolutionaries met. Even the first continental congress was given birth in a coffee house.

After all those historical events America and the Arabica coffee beans began their love affair. Throughout the centuries coffee has held its own in America. It is the primary ration of soldiers during the war and when their supplies were a bit short they would mix it with chicory.

Arabica Coffee Beans Today

Arabica Coffee beans' journey to Brazil, to become famous in America is as amorous as the drink itself. A clever Don enlisted the aide of a French Governor's wife stationed in Guiana. Don Francisco smuggled the beans inside a bouquet his lover gave him as she bid him farewell in the docks of the islands.

Today however, the possibility of coffee shortage and having to smuggle it is unfathomable. The Americans are rediscovering the glories of coffee due to the rising popularity of coffee shops. Now coffee is not as simple as it was in the past. It is no longer simply black or white.

Applauding only the Arabica blend is unfair. It contemporaries is equally good as well, depending upon a person's preference. Aside from Arabica coffee beans there are the other two varieties, the Liberica and the Robusta.

The Liberica came from the lowlands of Liberia. It is mainly cultivated in Malaysia, Philippines and Java. Among the three types of coffee beans it has the poorest flavor, however it is the hardiest and disease free of them all. It is simply good for blending and it's not of export quality.

Robusta on the other hand was discovered in the jungles of Belgium Congo. It is hardy and produces multiple crops in a year. It is best made into instant coffee, which lent Robusta its popularity. But unlike the Arabica Robusta does not have the aroma and flavor of richness.