Difference between arabica and robusta coffee beans
Sipping on your strong, freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning, have you ever wondered what are the different types of coffee beans that are available in the market? That’s actually something to think about, isn’t it? What are the different variants of coffee beans? How are they different? Do they come from different plants?
All these questions are answered below, so coffee lovers, read on!
The two types of coffee beans
Did you know? Coffee is actually a member of the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants. There are approximately five hundred Genera and about six thousand species in this family.
The coffee bean, which we adore, is one of these. Although all seed-bearing plants in the Rubiaceae family are coffee plants, the majority of the coffee we consume come from just two species: Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica beans are frequently regarded as having better flavour even though they have less caffeine than Robusta. Arabica often has a smoother, sweeter flavour with hints of sweetness and chocolate. They frequently also include undertones of berries or fruits.
More than 60% of the world’s coffee crop, according to the International Coffee Organisation, is produced by Arabica farmers.
Beautifully scented Arabica blooms emerge only after a few years and give birth to ellipsoidal fruits with two flat seeds within that are known as coffee beans. Arabica can self-pollinate since it has two chromosome sets. This indicates that the species is generally stable because cross-pollination is less likely.
Robusta Coffee Beans
Contrarily, the other type of coffee beans, Robusta has a sharper, harsher, and more bitter flavour with undertones of grain or rubber.
Arabica’s younger, streetwise brother is Robusta. Robusta coffee beans are frequently used in espresso mixes despite having a less refined flavour since it is believed to generate better cream than Arabica. It has greater hardiness, disease resistance, and yield-improving properties. It contains extra caffeine as well!
Difference between the two types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta
- The environments in which Arabica and Robusta coffees are grown significantly differ. Arabica coffee can be cultivated in tropical settings and at elevations of 600 metres or higher. Robusta coffee, however, may be cultivated everywhere from sea level to around 600 metres.
Robusta coffees also yield a tougher fruit that makes them less vulnerable to bothersome insects. Arabica, on the other hand, is more delicate and prone to pest damage.
- Compared to Robusta, Arabica coffee has almost twice as much sugar. Which would account for Robusta’s bitter flavour and the reason why we normally prefer Arabica coffee.
- Robusta beans usually have a more rounded shape and a deeper hue. Arabica beans, on the other hand, are usually a lighter shade of brown and more oval-shaped than round.
- Robusta coffee is less expensive than arabica coffee since it is easier and less expensive to produce.
Because it takes more resources and effort to develop the Arabica coffee plant, it is more costly than Robusta coffee beans.
India has historically been a notable producer of Arabica coffee beans, but during the past ten years robusta beans have experienced significant growth due to high yields, and they currently make up more than 60% of the coffee produced in India.
So now that you know the difference between the two types of coffee beans, you can make an informed decision according to your preferences. Happy brewing, folks!
