If you want to fully appreciate the complex flavours in your coffee, it helps to understand how altitude affects the beans. The height above sea level where coffee is grown significantly influences the taste and aroma notes you’ll experience. Read on for an overview of altitude’s effect on coffee chemistry and flavour.
What Happens During High-Altitude Growth?
At higher elevations, coffee trees grow more slowly and produce lower yields. However, this slower growth concentrated the sugars, acids, and aromatic compounds within the bean. Lower oxygen levels also spur increased production of these chemical components that give coffee its taste.
The result is denser coffee beans rich in sweetness, acidity, and floral/fruit notes. This intensified bean development is why high grown arabica coffees are so prized. Here are ideal coffee growing altitudes:
- Low altitude: Lower than 3,000 ft
- Medium altitude: 3,000 to 6,000 ft
- High altitude: 6,000 to 10,000 ft
- Very high altitude: Above 10,000 ft
How Does Altitude Affect Flavour?
Higher elevations bring out coffee’s most desirable flavours:
- Sweetness - More sucrose is produced in the bean.
- Acidity - Altitude increases citric and malic acid content.
- Aromatics - Cold nights spur fragrant compounds like jasmine.
Meanwhile, lower temperatures inhibit less desirable bitter/astringent flavours. The complexity and clarity of these favourable taste characteristics make high grown coffees so popular with speciality roasters and discerning coffee drinkers.
Other Factors in Coffee Quality
While altitude plays a key role, other variables also affect coffee flavour including:
- Varietal - The specific coffee cultivar impacts flavour.
- Processing - How the cherries are dried and milled matters.
- Soil health - Nutrient-rich volcanic soil improves quality.
- Farming practices - Sustainable methods enhance overall quality.
Look for coffees grown at optimal elevations to experience cup profiles that are lively, nuanced, and intensely floral or fruity. Understanding altitude gives you insight into the distinct terroir of each origin you brew.