Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee Beans & An Introduction to the Source of Coffee Aroma

FrontStreet Coffee - Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee Beans & Introduction to Coffee Aroma Sources

1. Different Growing Environment Conditions

Arabica coffee trees are suitable for cultivation in mountainous environments at altitudes of 600-2200 meters, temperatures between 15°C-24°C, and annual rainfall of 1200-2200 millimeters. Robusta coffee trees, however, have lower altitude requirements and can be grown between 0-800 meters. They also thrive in higher temperature environments (18°C-36°C) with 2200-3000 millimeters of annual rainfall. In terms of yield, Arabica produces less coffee per hectare than Robusta, making the cultivation cost of Arabica considerably higher.

2. Different Coffee Bean Shapes

Arabica coffee beans are slightly larger than Robusta beans, with most being elongated (such as the Typica variety), and the center line of the bean is curved; Robusta beans are relatively more oval with a straighter center line (this characteristic provides a relatively intuitive way to distinguish between the two). There are also structural differences between coffee beans, which may explain why the two types of coffee beans require different roasting methods under the same conditions.

3. Different Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid Content

Both caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) have a bitter taste and are considered inhibitors for insects and animals. The caffeine and chlorogenic acid content in Robusta is approximately twice that of Arabica coffee. It grows more "robustly" in the wild and also exhibits more bitterness and "coarseness" in coffee flavor expression. (Vietnamese coffee is a typical example of coffee made from Robusta beans - after drip brewing, it must be mixed with condensed milk to be drinkable, otherwise the bitterness is too strong for most people to drink alone. Additionally, some friends mention experiencing "heart palpitations" after drinking coffee, which could be caused by consuming coffee made with a high proportion of Robusta beans and higher caffeine content, such as espresso from some chain coffee shops or instant coffee, where Robusta beans are the "main battlefield.")

4. Different Fat and Sugar Content

Arabica contains almost 60% more lipids than Robusta, and its sugar concentration is nearly twice that of Robusta. These fats and sugars play important roles during the coffee roasting process. The captivating aroma of coffee is transformed from these substances, and the sweetness experienced during coffee drinking is also expressed differently as a result.

5. Different Pollination Methods

Arabica is a self-pollinating plant, which means that compared to Robusta, Arabica experiences fewer mutations and variations throughout its life cycle. (For example, Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, and others all originated from variations of Arabica.)

6. Different Chromosome Numbers

Arabica has 44 pairs of chromosomes, while Robusta only has 22 pairs.

The Source of Coffee Aroma

Coffee beans themselves contain various rich substances: organic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. During the roasting process, many chemical changes occur, and only when heated does coffee release its unique aroma. Among these, the two most important reactions are the Maillard reaction and caramelization. When coffee is ground into powder, the aroma of fruit, rich floral notes, and the unique scent of coffee permeate the entire air. However, unroasted green coffee beans actually have a strong grassy smell. Roasting is the key to producing coffee's aroma.

Knowledge Extension: The Maillard Reaction

The Maillard reaction can be said to be very famous, covering changes in many foods. Its principle is: when sugars encounter amino acids or proteins, due to high temperatures, the two types of substances undergo condensation to form melanoidin polymers, which turn the food color brown and produce thiamine substances and phospholipids, releasing aroma.

FrontStreet Coffee's Mission

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research specialty shop, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unreserved sharing is only to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee promotion events with significant discounts because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

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