Altitude (elevation)

Altitude refers to the height above sea level at which the coffee trees were grown. Just like high-altitude wine grapes, coffee plants at greater elevations face tougher conditions, including cooler nights and thinner air. This forces the coffee cherries to mature at a slower pace, which allows them to develop more natural sugars and complex organic acids. When you spot a high number like 1800 MASL on a bag of specialty coffee, it serves as a sign that the cup will likely feature vibrant, floral, or fruity tasting notes. Interestingly, these beans become physically harder and denser, which requires the roastery to apply heat differently during the roasting process.