The Difference Between Arabica and Robusta Beans_ Visual Comparison of Coffee Bean Varieties_ Understanding Coffee Bean Characteristics

Why We Insist on 100% Arabica Beans: Are Robusta Beans Really Bad?

When it comes to the Robusta coffee bean variety, it is indeed a lower-priced coffee bean species.

In terms of complexity and aroma, there are still significant differences compared to Arabica beans.

I believe many coffee shops use Robusta beans to increase the richness of their coffee and reduce costs. Many espresso blends follow this approach, and when properly blended, they can indeed achieve a good taste profile.

However, it's undeniable that Robusta's high caffeine content causes many people to experience heart palpitations, rapid breathing, and other issues when drinking coffee.

For the love of coffee and our friends, I must emphasize again: "Tu Bizzi never uses Robusta beans."

The facts show that many friends who originally experienced heart palpitations when drinking coffee found they didn't have these problems when drinking our coffee. This isn't just my personal experience but the actual experience of many people.

We don't need to use such bean-blending methods to increase richness because we have better solutions. For example, our specialty blend coffee beans and basic blend coffee beans don't use Robusta beans.

FrontStreet Coffee uses 100% Arabica beans for blending to achieve a perfect balance in richness, aroma, and even complexity.

Although the process is challenging, we still create more perfect espresso blends without using Robusta beans—and we can do it even better. We also look after the health of every customer.

This is "a commitment" and also a professionalism. For those who love coffee, the next time you buy espresso blend beans, you can ask the shop owner whether they blend with Robusta beans or insist on 100% Arabica beans like we do.

How to Distinguish Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee Beans:

◎ Arabica coffee beans are long-oval and flat, with an S-shaped center crease.

◎ Robusta coffee beans are oval, spherical or nearly spherical, with a straight center crease.

Here's also a definition of Robusta:

High in caffeine content and rather bitter. Generally less acid and less aromatic than Arabica coffee. Often slightly woody.

Robusta coffee beans have high caffeine content and are quite bitter. Typically, they are less acidic and have less coffee aroma than Arabica beans. They often have a slight woody aroma.

What Are Arabica Beans?

Arabica and Robusta beans are the most common coffee varieties on the market.

About Robusta Beans

They are typically used in commercial coffee beans because their cost is lower than Arabica beans. Therefore, some espresso coffees also mix in Robusta beans to save costs.

Today, I also want to share the differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans from Coffee Chemistry:

1. Different Basic Growing Environments for the Two Bean Types:

Arabica beans grow at altitudes of 600-2200 meters, rainfall of 1200-2200 millimeters, and temperatures between 15-24°C.

Robusta beans grow at altitudes of 0-800 meters, rainfall of 2200-3000 millimeters, and temperatures between 18-36°C.

On average, Arabica bean yield per hectare is lower than Robusta beans, which also makes the cultivation cost of Arabica beans higher.

2. Bean Shape: Arabica beans are more oval-shaped, while Robusta beans are more round-shaped.

3. Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid Content:

Robusta beans have a caffeine content of 2.2%, which is higher than Arabica beans' 1.2%, and they also have higher chlorogenic acid content.

This also reduces the impact of pests and diseases.

Chlorogenic acid is affected by the degree of roasting and can produce varying degrees of bitter, sour, and astringent tastes.

You can easily find information online that chlorogenic acid basically has some effects on our physical health, such as its antioxidant properties and helping to burn fat...

I believe interested people can find plenty of information in international literature or on health websites like Good Morning Health.

4. Oil and Sugar Content:

Arabica beans contain up to 60% oil content, and their sugar concentration is twice that of Robusta beans.

Therefore, these sugars play an important role in the roasting process, creating key aromatic compounds and also contributing to the coffee's body.

5. Pollination Differences:

Arabica beans are self-pollinating plants, so there are rarely gene mutations during the fertilization process. I think this also makes the quality of the Arabica variety itself more stable.

6. Number of Chromosomes:

(At this point, some people might wonder what chromosomes have to do with anything?! I just think the author analyzes the fundamental differences between Arabica and Robusta beans from a chemical perspective.) Back to the topic...

Arabica beans have 44 chromosomes, while Robusta beans have 22 chromosomes—they are inherently different, just like human races. Each race has different characteristics and each has its own market XD.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473