Our Love for Arabica Coffee: A Journey from Farm to Cup

At Bay Coffee Roasters, Arabica coffee isn’t just what we roast—it’s part of our story. For over 20 years, we’ve been immersed in the world of coffee, always seeking out the finest coffee beans and building lasting relationships with the farmers who grow them. Arabica coffee, with its smooth and complex flavor, has always been at the heart of what we do.

Whether you’re brewing at home or ordering coffee beans online, choosing Arabica means experiencing a range of flavors, from bright and fruity to rich and chocolatey. It’s a coffee that always keeps us coming back for more.

Why Arabica Coffee?

Arabica is prized for its layered flavors and lower bitterness compared to other coffee species like robusta. Grown at higher altitudes, Arabica beans develop slowly, allowing their full flavor potential to shine. Notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate are common, but each origin brings something unique to the cup.

Each varietal (a specific type of Arabica plant) has its own unique characteristics, influenced by genetics and the environment in which it’s grown. Think of coffee varietals the same way you might think of grape varieties in wine—different varietals result in distinct flavors, aromas, and textures. Some varietals are known for their sweetness, while others highlight bright acidity or a fuller body.

For us, Arabica isn’t just about taste; it’s about the story behind every bean. Some of our favorite coffees come from farms we’ve worked with for years, offering a glimpse into each region’s rich coffee-growing tradition.

Our Journey with Brazilian and Costa Rican Coffee

In 2019, we visited one of our long-term partner farms in Brazil, where we first saw the pulped natural process in action. This method leaves part of the coffee cherry on the bean as it dries, resulting in a coffee with a rich body, caramel sweetness, and notes of dried fruit.

The coffee was so good that it didn’t need to be blended. It became our house coffee in the café, where we serve it on its own. Customers love its smooth, balanced flavor, and we roast it fresh every week to ensure it’s always at its best. This Brazilian coffee is a true staple of our menu and one of our most popular offerings.

Costa Rica has also become a significant part of our story. For the past three years, we’ve sourced coffee from Hacienda Sonora, a family-run farm led by Diego, who shares our passion for quality and sustainability. His dedication shines through in every harvest. The Sarchimor, Villa Sarchi, and SL28 varietals from Hacienda Sonora have become key features in our lineup, each bringing bright, exciting flavors that showcase the diversity of Costa Rican coffee.

A World of Arabica Varietals

Arabica coffee is incredibly diverse, with different varietals offering distinct flavor profiles. Some have fascinating histories and long journeys across continents. Here are a few examples of what we roast:

Sarchimor – Costa Rica: Known for its rich body and chocolatey notes with a touch of fruitiness, Sarchimor thrives in the volcanic soils of Costa Rica, producing a balanced and complex cup.
Villa Sarchi – Costa Rica: A mutation of the Bourbon varietal, Villa Sarchi delivers bright citrus and floral notes with a clean, crisp finish. It’s a favorite for those who enjoy a light, elegant coffee.
SL28 – Costa Rica (Hacienda Sonora, Black Honey Process): Originally developed in Kenya, SL28 was introduced to Costa Rica, where it thrives in the high-altitude environment of Hacienda Sonora. This coffee is processed using the black honey method, which leaves some of the coffee cherry on the bean as it dries, enhancing its sweetness and fruit-forward character. Expect flavors of dark berries, tropical fruit, and a syrupy body.
Mundo Novo, Bourbon, and Catuai – Brazil: These traditional Brazilian varietals are known for their nutty, chocolatey profiles and low acidity. Mundo Novo, a natural hybrid of Bourbon and Typica, offers balanced sweetness and body, while Bourbon adds refined sweetness. Catuai is prized for its versatility and bright, clean cup profile.
SL28 and SL34 – Kenya Honey Bush Estate (Kenya): SL28 and SL34 are iconic Kenyan varietals, known for their vibrant acidity, bold flavors, and juicy body. In Kenya’s high-altitude climate, these varietals produce bright, complex coffees with tasting notes of blackcurrant, citrus, and a hint of honey sweetness—very different from the softer, fruitier expression of SL28 in Costa Rica.
Arabica Gayo 1 and Gayo 2 – Sumatra (Fairtrade Organic): These varietals are cultivated in the Gayo Highlands of Sumatra and are known for their full body and distinctive flavor profile. Expect earthy, herbal notes with hints of dark chocolate, tobacco, and spice. The wet-hulled process gives these coffees their signature richness and depth.
Ethiopian Heirloom Varieties – Ethiopia: Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, is home to thousands of indigenous Arabica varietals. These heirloom coffees are wildly diverse, often offering floral, citrus, and tea-like flavors. No two heirloom coffees are the same, making each cup a new adventure of complex, layered flavors.
Typica – Papua New Guinea: An ancient varietal known for its tropical fruit, mild nuttiness, and a dash of spice. Our 3-star Great Taste Award-winning PNG coffee highlights the bright, clean character that Typica is known for.

Our Arabica Tree at the Café

If you’ve visited our café in Carmarthen, you might have noticed a little Arabica coffee tree we’ve been growing. Coffee plants start as seeds—essentially the very coffee beans we roast. When planted, they take weeks to sprout and can take years to mature before producing cherries. It’s a slow process, but it’s a daily reminder of the journey from seed to cup.

Buying Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans Online

For us, freshness is everything. We roast coffee every weekday to ensure our beans are at their best when they reach you. Whether you’re brewing a morning espresso or a weekend pour-over, having fresh Arabica coffee makes all the difference.

Buying coffee beans online should be simple and enjoyable, which is why we offer freshly roasted beans delivered straight to your door. From single origins to carefully crafted blends, our coffees are always roasted to bring out their best flavors.

More Than Just Coffee

Arabica coffee represents everything we care about—quality, relationships, and sharing something truly special. Every cup of coffee tells a story: one that starts on a farm, travels through our roastery, and ends with you.

So, whether you’re visiting our café, ordering coffee beans online, or brewing at home, you’re part of that story. We’re excited to keep sharing it with you, one sip at a time.