What are Robusta beans? Which tastes better between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans?

You've probably heard of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, but why do we only see Arabica coffee beans sold in coffee shops, while Robusta coffee beans are rarely seen? They're both coffee beans, so what's the difference between them? In this article, FrontStreet Coffee will answer your questions about Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.

Q1: Where do Arabica and Robusta varieties originate from?

The Arabica variety originates from Ethiopia, and to this day, there are still many unknown coffee tree varieties in the original forests of Ethiopia. The Robusta coffee variety, however, originated in the Congo region of West Africa. Robusta actually belongs to the Canephora species, also known as the Congo species. Unfortunately, only one variety within the Canephora species called Robusta can be commercialized and widely known, so now Robusta has almost replaced Canephora as the synonym for this species.

Q2: What are the characteristics of Robusta and Arabica varieties?

The Robusta variety has one bean per fruit—meaning each Robusta coffee fruit contains only one coffee bean. Robusta coffee beans are relatively round and C-shaped, with their center line appearing as a straight "1" shape.

Arabica coffee fruits, on the other hand, contain two coffee beans (though occasionally there might be only one bean, which due to its three-dimensional elliptical shape, people call such coffee beans "peaberries"). Arabica beans are oval-shaped, relatively slender and flat, with their center line appearing in a "C/S" shape.

Q3: Are there differences in growing environment requirements between Arabica and Robusta varieties?

Arabica coffee beans have high requirements for their growing environment. Suitable temperatures and high altitude are the most basic requirements for growing Arabica varieties. Through different altitudes, temperatures, microclimates, humidity levels, and soil types, Arabica varieties will exhibit completely different flavor profiles. Because they are grown at high altitudes with large temperature differences between day and night, the growth period of coffee trees is extended, allowing for richer flavor development.

Robusta's growing conditions are not as demanding as Arabica's. Robusta can grow at lower altitudes and higher temperatures. It grows faster than Arabica and has higher tolerance to extreme weather conditions. Robusta is widely cultivated in countries such as Vietnam, Brazil, and India. Hainan in China also grows Robusta coffee.

Q4: What are the caffeine contents of Arabica and Robusta varieties?

Arabica has low caffeine content, approximately 0.9% to 1.2%; its fat content is 60% higher than Robusta coffee; and its sugar content is twice as high. Therefore, Arabica varieties have a clean, sweet taste, typically with gentle acidity and quite rich flavors. Compared to Arabica, Robusta has higher caffeine content, approximately 1.6% to 2.4%, with lower fat and sugar content, resulting in a more bitter and intense flavor. Caffeine is the best "natural pesticide" against pests.

Q5: Why does Robusta have higher disease resistance than Arabica?

FrontStreet Coffee learned through research that Arabica coffee trees reproduce through self-pollination, while Robusta reproduces through cross-pollination. This pollination process involves genetic inheritance. Offspring produced through cross-pollination possess genetic traits from both parent plants, which can likely generate new characteristics that help them survive in changing environments. Therefore, self-pollinating Arabica is quite fragile—through continuous reproduction, its genes become increasingly uniform, similar to the principle of inbreeding in biology. When a disease threatening coffee trees appears (such as leaf rust), it could potentially destroy all Arabica coffee trees with the same genes. Meanwhile, Robusta varieties can continuously change their genes to adapt to the environment.

Q6: What are the flavor characteristics of Arabica coffee beans?

Arabica coffee beans are grown in high-altitude regions with large temperature differences between day and night, slow growth rates, and sufficient time for more flavors to develop. Taking the well-known Typica, Bourbon, and Geisha coffee beans as examples, FrontStreet Coffee has cupped Typica variety coffee beans from different producing regions and found that their clean, subtle flavors and balanced characteristics are the greatest features of Typica coffee. Bourbon variety coffee beans, on the other hand, have superior aroma and fuller flavors. The greatest characteristic of Geisha coffee beans lies in their rich floral notes and gentle acidity.

Q7: What are the flavor characteristics of Robusta coffee beans?

As FrontStreet Coffee mentioned above, Robusta is mostly grown in low-altitude regions, grows quickly, and develops fewer flavors. Additionally, Robusta coffee trees themselves have high chlorogenic acid content (the source of bitterness), so the coffee has a milder, deeper taste with flavors of walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, wheat, grains, and sometimes even pungent earthy notes.

Q8: What are Robusta coffee beans typically used for?

Robusta has inferior flavor but possesses extremely high body and rich oils. Most instant coffee on the market is made using Robusta coffee, and after adding large amounts of saccharin and non-dairy creamer, the coffee can still maintain a rich taste.

FrontStreet Coffee, however, has blended Robusta coffee beans with Colombian and Brazilian coffee beans to create an espresso blend. Robusta provides body and enhanced crema for this blend, while Colombian and Brazilian coffee beans contribute rich nutty and cocoa aromas.

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