Everything You Should Know About Arabica Coffee Beans
The most widely produced bean species, Arabica (Coffea arabica), is popular amongst many coffee drinkers - from speciality enthusiasts to those who simply enjoy the smooth taste. Arabica coffee embodies the art of Northern Italy, creating refined, sweet and complex flavours with every cup.
In this guide, we’ll summarise everything you should know about Arabica coffee beans, including the flavour profile, cost, how they compare with other bean species, and the best blends for your palette.
- What is Arabica Coffee?
- Arabica vs Robusta: Which is Better for Italian Coffee?
- How Much Do Arabica Beans Cost?
- The Best Ways to Brew Arabica Coffee Beans
- Carluccio’s Arabica Coffee Blends
Discover the flavour profile and characteristics of Arabica coffee.
Use our comparison table to weigh up the benefits of Arabica and Robusta beans.
Find out the cost of Arabica coffee beans and whether the price is worth it.
Browse the different brewing methods, including an espresso.
Carluccio’s source high-quality Arabica coffee beans roasted using authentic Italian methods – browse our Italian coffee collection here.
What is Arabica Coffee?
With a natural sweetness and smooth taste, Arabica forms the backbone of Italy’s iconic coffee culture. Planted across the world, including Central and South America, Africa, and Indonesia, Arabica plants thrive at high altitudes (typically above 600 metres) and cooler climates.
The slow growth of Arabica produces a delicate, aromatic bean celebrated for its complex and nuanced flavour profile. Expect fruity, nutty, or chocolatey notes for a refined taste.
Why Choose Arabica?
Arabica is ideal for those who enjoy refined, aromatic coffee. It works beautifully in lighter espresso blends, and it’s a go-to for pour-over or cafetière brewing as well.
Enjoy our 100% Arabica Milanese-style coffee beans for a sweeter and more refined taste:
Part of our Italian Coffee Collection, Carluccio’s Milano Coffee Beans are ideal for espresso, Caffè Lungo, and Americano. With 100% Arabica beans, you can expect a far sweeter cup of coffee with complex aromas and a smooth texture.
Arabica vs Robusta: Which is Better for Italian Coffee?
Robusta (Coffea canephora) is another popular bean species, differing from Arabica in many ways. The primary difference lies in how they are harvested. Thriving at lower altitudes, Robusta is a much hardier and easier-to-cultivate plant, which results in a higher production yield and generally less expensive product.
Flavour-wise, Robusta offers a more intense and punchier cup compared to Arabica. Expect notes of earthiness, wood, and nuts, along with a higher caffeine kick.
Use the table below to compare Arabica vs Robusta side-by-side:
Compare Arabica vs Robusta on various factors with our full guide here.
For the best of both worlds, enjoy a blend of Arabica and Robusta:
Intense, creamy and full-bodied, Carluccio’s Roma Coffee Beans contain a high percentage of Arabica beans with a Robusta kick. For espressos, expect flavours of walnut, dark caramel, and spice.
How Much Do Arabica Beans Cost?
The cost of Arabica coffee beans varies depending on the brand, quality, and where they are bought. Retail prices typically range from £10 to £30 per kilo. But this is not a set price. Speciality or high-quality beans may accumulate higher costs, which is reflected in their complex flavour profile.
According to market research, the average price of Arabica coffee has steadily risen from 2014 to 2026, costing around £ 3.50 per 250g worldwide.
Read more about the cost of Arabica coffee beans with our complete guide here.
Consider bulk buying or subscribing to a coffee service to save overall costs. At Carluccio’s, we provide a coffee subscription for all our authentic Italian ranges.
Simply choose your desired blend and grind (such as 100% Arabica Milano coffee beans), then subscribe and save. Enjoy a flexible and hassle-free way to get your caffeine fix.
Browse our entire collection of authentic Italian coffee. here.
The Best Ways to Brew Arabica Coffee Beans
To get the most out of your beans, it’s important to choose a brewing method that complements the roast and blend. Regarding the smooth, nuanced flavours of Arabica, certain brewing techniques beautifully bring its flavour profile to the surface:
- Pour over: Perfect for light to medium roasts, for example, single-origin Arabica. This method highlights the delicate flavours and is ideal for those who want a clean and crisp taste with layered acidity.
- Cafetière: Known as a “French press”, cafetière is also incredibly popular with Italians. This works well with medium to dark roasts and is a good everyday drink for well-rounded flavours and richness.
- Espresso: A perfect embodiment of Italy’s coffee culture, the iconic espresso creates a more refined and complex shot when using 100% Arabica beans. Consider a medium-dark roast for caramel and mild bitterness, or a dark roast for those looking for bold and intense flavours.
For more information, read our guide on Arabica coffee beans for espresso here.
Carluccio’s Arabica Coffee Blends
At Carluccio’s, we source high-quality coffee beans from across the world, including Arabica and Robusta. These beans are roasted in Italy using traditional methods for an authentic Italian taste.
If you’re looking for a 100% Arabica blend, our Milano coffee collection is available in bean, caffettiera, and espresso styles. Expect tasting notes of chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut, reflecting the smooth, sweet and refined flavours of Milan.
For a higher caffeine kick, consider a blend of both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. Combining Northern and Southern flavours, our Napoli range consists of dark and earthy blends, with the darkest style of roast in Italy. Perfect for Lattes and Cappuccinos, expect flavours of dark cocoa, smoke and blackberry.
Browse our entire collection of authentic Italian coffee to find your perfect cup here.