What's The Difference Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee
Read & Know About the Key Differences Between Robusta and Arabica Coffee
Differences in Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta
Coffee has been acclaimed as “the most grateful lubricant known to the human machine,” and “the most delightful taste in all nature“.
The two most popular varieties of coffee are Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) & Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) and two of them have radically different taste profiles.
They are both different but prominent species of flowering plants in the coffee and madder family Rubiaceae.
Key Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee
How are arabica and robusta coffee beans different?
Arabica and Robusta are terms that refer to the species “Coffea” which the coffee belongs to.
Coffea has well over 100 species from which Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) are the most commonly consumed. Both of these also form the part of the largest selling coffee globally.
Here is a quick list tabulated with major differences in Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta
| Criteria | Arabica | Robusta |
| Annual Production | 60-75% | 25-40% |
| Cultivation | Anywhere from of 600+m on mountain tops and tropical environments. | Anywhere from sea level to around 600m. |
| Location | Brazil is most significant producer | Vietnam is most significant producer |
| Plant Type | The coffee plant is a woody perennial evergreen dicotyledon that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Because it grows to a relatively large height, it is more accurately described as a coffee tree. Arabica plants are usually pruned to 2.5 – 4.5 meters, Robusta trees are not and grow upto 4.5 – 6 meters. | |
| Bean Shape | More oval in shape | More circular in shape |
| Bean Colour | Lighter brown beans | Darker beans |
| Sugar Content | Nearly twice as much sugar as Robusta. | |
| Lipids | 60% more lipids than robusta | |
| Caffeine | Arabica has 1.2 – 1.5% of caffeine | Robusta has about around 2.2 – 2.7% caffeine (almost double than arabica) |
| Taste | Arabica has a wide range of flavour profiles. It is acidic & has a slightly sweet flavour, with hints of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. You may also notice hints for fruit and berries. It is sweeter and smoother. | Woody, earthy or burnt rubber flavour. It is lesser on acidity making it more bitter and harsher. |
| Fragility | Requires temperature between 15-24 °C. It is susceptible to damage by pests | Can handle higher temps 18°-36°C. It is resistant to damage by pests. |
| Tree Production | Lesser per hectare. This makes arabica more expensive to grow than robusta. | More per hectare |
| Chlorogenic Acid (CGA) Content | Arabica has 5.5-8% CGA of this antioxidant and pest deterrent. | Robusta has 7-10% CGA of this antioxidant and pest deterrent. |
| Price | More expensive | Cheaper |
| Smell | Smells like blueberries | Smells like peanuts |
| Bean Retrieval | Requires semi-skilled manual work | More mechanized |
One thing to note is despite the association with Arabica being higher quality, and Robusta as being lower quality, it’s not always the case.
Top-notch speciality Robusta coffee will usually taste as good as or better than low-end Arabica.
However, high-end Robusta isn’t widely used or available. Rather, Robusta is usually used as a filler or cost reducer.
Enjoy your coffee!
Tools & Equipment Used For Black Coffee Recipe
The links below the image lead to product links on Amazon.in & Amazon.com respectively
Black Coffee Recipe - How to make black coffee?
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon Coffee Grounds 30 grams
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Teaspoon Brown Sugar or Jaggery
Instructions
- Rinse your Moka pot and add 2 cups of water to the water tank.
- Place the filter on the tank and add two tablespoons of coffee grounds.
- Screw on the coffee collecting chamber on top and place the Moka pot on a low flame.
- As the coffee brews, it'll collect in the collecting chamber.
- Add sugar or jaggery into the coffee cup and pour over the coffee.
- Serve or drink.
Notes
- Use freshly roasted, good quality coffee beans.
- Ensure the beans are powdered to fine to medium-fine grind size for Moka pot.
- Freshly brewed coffee helps to lose weight if consumed in moderation.
- If you like your coffee sweet, you may use a sweetener of your choice.
FInally! To Sum It Up
Key Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee
Coffee has been acclaimed as “the most grateful lubricant known to the human machine,” and “the most delightful taste in all nature“.
The two most popular varieties of coffee are Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) & Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) and two of them have radically different taste profiles.
They are both different but prominent species of flowering plants in the coffee and madder family Rubiaceae.
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