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Fresh coffee beans on a branch

COFFEE JOURNEY

The Bean Behind the Brew: Unlocking Arabica’s Secrets

3 min

ARABICA COFFEE

You’ve probably heard of Arabica coffee beans – and if a delicious Starbucks® coffee At Home is part of your morning routine, chances are you’re enjoying them daily. But how much do you really know about them?

THE ORIGIN Where it all begins: The coffee tree

From the earth to your cup, discover the roots of your favourite brew.

At the heart of every cup is something truly special: the Coffee arabica tree, which  thrives at higher altitudes and produces beans known for their refined flavour and aromatic complexity. Starbucks® coffee uses only 100% Arabica beans to bring you the consistently high-quality, delicious coffee you know and love.

THE ALTITUDE Altitude: The Unexpected Ingredient

Coffee trees love a challenge — and altitude brings out their very best.

You might not know it, but your Starbucks® coffee’s smooth flavour actually comes from high up in the mountains. Arabica coffee trees thrive in elevated regions — between 3,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. Up there, the hot days and cool nights slow the ripening of the cherries.

Slow growth is a wonderful part of coffee cultivation. It allows the beans to develop more slowly, soaking up complex flavours over time. The result? A rich, refined taste in every cup.

THE DIFFERENCE Arabica vs Robusta

Two beans.​ Two altitudes. One choice.

You’ve probably heard of Arabica — but have you come across Robusta? The main difference comes down to where they're grown. Arabica prefers higher, cooler altitudes, while Robusta does better in lower, warmer areas.​ ​

At Starbucks®, we prefer Arabica because the slower ripening at altitude gives the beans time to develop a refined, delicate flavour compared to Robusta’s bolder, earthier taste.

Did You Know?

Starbucks® coffee only uses 100% Arabica beans

The Bean Behind the Brew: Unlocking Arabica’s Secrets

 

Crafted with Purpose

From the moment you take that first sip at home, every step in the journey is rooted in care, craft, and connection. At Starbucks® we believe that exceptional coffee starts with high altitudes and the highest standards. It’s our way of bringing the world’s most flavourful, complex beans to the heart of your daily ritual—one delicious cup at a time.

CRAFT

The art of blending and roasting <p>Before you can brew and sip your favourite Starbucks<sup>®</sup> coffee, the coffee beans go through many steps, including blending and roasting.</p> 4 min

CRAFT

How to taste coffee <p>There’s an art to slowing down and truly tasting your coffee, from its aroma and acidity to its body and flavour. Here’s how to master it.</p> 7 min

COFFEE JOURNEY

Coffee beans <p>Ever wondered what coffee and cherries have in common?​</p><p>Believe it or not, coffee actually comes from the cherries that a coffee tree produces. Inside those cherries are green beans—which we know as coffee beans.​</p><p>So yes, your cup of Starbucks<sup>®</sup> coffee starts with a little red fruit and ends with coffee beans bursting with flavour.</p> 3 min