Coffee culture

Why is it recommended to drink Arabica beans? Why isn't there 100% Robusta coffee?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). Regardless of taste, many coffee shops or coffee packaging bags prominently display a "100% Arabica coffee beans" label, and coffee marked as 100% Arabica is typically priced higher. In contrast, absolutely no merchants would openly claim to sell "100% Ro" (The text appears to be cut off here)
Coffee beans

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style).

Regardless of taste, many coffee shops or coffee packaging bags will feature the "100% Arabica Coffee Beans" logo. Moreover, products labeled as "100% Arabica Beans" are typically priced slightly higher. Conversely, absolutely no business would openly advertise themselves as "100% Robusta Coffee Beans," even in regions that exclusively grow Robusta varieties. Instead, they merely promote "medium-grain coffee" or use locally-inspired "common names."

So, What is Arabica? What is Robusta?

Arabica and Robusta are both coffee varieties. Arabica thrives in high-altitude, cool regions. As a monoecious plant with self-pollinating flowers, it has poor disease and pest resistance and high production costs. However, due to its exceptional flavor and aroma, it accounts for 70% of global coffee sales. Robusta, on the other hand, precisely compensates for Arabica's cultivation shortcomings. However, because it emits a distinct "Robust flavor," it's generally used as a "filler" in canned coffee, instant coffee, and lower-quality coffee products.

What Are the Differences Between Arabica and Robusta?

Characteristics of Robusta Raw Beans Compared to Arabica:

① Higher caffeine content (more than twice that of Arabica)

② Higher chlorogenic acid content

③ Lower sugar content such as sucrose

④ Slightly higher protein and amino acid content

⑤ Lower fat content

After Roasting, Robusta's Flavor Changes as Follows:

Caffeine → One of the components creating refreshing bitterness

Chlorogenic acid → Source of coffee's body, richness, bitterness, and astringency

Proteins and amino acids → Source of strong bitterness similar to dark beer and chocolate

Therefore, in Southeast Asia and other regions, sugar is added when roasting Robusta coffee beans. This attempts to compensate for the sweetness that Robusta lacks, such as the sugar-roasted coffee we often drink when visiting Hainan today.

Reasons to Choose Arabica Coffee Beans:

① Lower caffeine content - the better the bean, the lower the caffeine content. This is a key point that professional coffee experts consistently emphasize.

② Fascinating and pleasant flavor, with excellent mouthfeel

However, even though coffee tastes good, don't be greedy and drink too much!

Arabica Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted Arabica coffee beans offer full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they offer exceptional value for money. Each pack weighs 227 grams and costs only around 70-90 yuan. Calculating at 15 grams of coffee beans per cup, one pack can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 5-6 yuan. Compared to coffee shops that often charge over 100 yuan per cup, this is truly a conscientious recommendation.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide 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

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