Introduction to the Three Major Native Coffee Species: Is Robusta Coffee Really Tasteless Like Chewing Wax?

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Introduction to the Three Major Coffee Varieties by FrontStreet Coffee

There are approximately 40 species in the Coffea genus, but only three can produce coffee beans with commercial value: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. These three are known as the "three major native coffee species."

Arabica accounts for 75%-80% of coffee production. Its excellent flavor and aroma make it the only native variety suitable for direct consumption. However, it has low resistance to drought, frost damage, and pests, particularly to coffee's natural enemy—leaf rust. Therefore, all coffee-producing countries are committed to variety improvement.

Major producing regions for Arabica coffee beans include South America (excluding parts of Argentina and Brazil), Central America, Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, and other East African countries), and Asia (including parts of Yemen, India, and Papua New Guinea).

The leaf rust-resistant variety discovered in the Congo, Africa, has stronger disease resistance than Arabica. People often compare Robusta and Arabica coffee. In fact, Robusta is a mutant variety of the Congo species (scientific name: Coffea canephora), so it should be the Congo variety that's compared with Arabica. However, to this day, the name Robusta has become commonly used by the public, and it's considered the same species as Congo.

Arabica coffee beans grow in cooler, high-altitude tropical regions. The hot and humid areas unsuitable for Arabica growth are where Robusta coffee thrives. Robusta has a unique aroma (called "Robust flavor," which some consider a musty smell) and bitterness. Just 2%-3% in a coffee blend can make the entire cup taste like Robusta. Its flavor is so distinct and strong that besides instant coffee, it's often used in Italian-style blends.

West Africa is the origin of Liberica coffee. It has strong adaptability to various environments, whether high or low temperatures, humid or dry conditions, but it's not resistant to leaf rust. Its flavor is also inferior to Arabica, so it's only traded domestically in some West African countries (Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, etc.) or cultivated for research purposes.

Among coffees circulating in the world market, approximately 65% are Arabica and 35% are Robusta. Arabica beans are characterized by their slender, flat shape, while Robusta beans are more rounded. They can be easily distinguished by their shape.

Knowledge point: Coffee-producing regions worldwide are mainly distributed in the areas north and south of the equator, also known as the "coffee belt."

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research specialty shop, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee promotions with significant discounts because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for 6 years!

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