For a small country, Cote d’Ivoire is a relatively robust coffee producer. And they aim to be even larger. But Cote d’Ivoire lacks the geography required to produce high-quality Arabicas as most of the country sits at 2,500 feet or lower, much of it just above sea level. This means they’re restricted to growing Robusta, which is prized more for its hardiness and high caffeine content than its flavor.
However, Cote d’Ivoire also grows an Arabica-Robusta hybrid called Arabusta (clever, huh?). It’s an Arabica bean with some of the genetic properties of robusta that make it hardier in low-elevation climates. Unfortunately, Arabusta plants grow slowly, though they have a longer lifespan and taste better than Robusta, and fetch up to four times the price of Robusta beans at local grocery stores.
