There is a rivalry between Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, even though they are both common species.
There are similarities and differences between each type. The different types of coffee can be distinguished by their taste, price, caffeine content, and even the way they are grown. The quirks and commonalities of different types of coffee can help you decide which one to buy.
If you want to understand and appreciate coffee, it is essential to know the differences between Arabica and Robusta. In other words, let’s compare and contrast the two coffee types.
Common Varieties Of Coffee
Arabica
Arabica coffee beans account for 60% of coffee production worldwide. Its flavor and quality differ depending on the region, making it much better than Robusta.
The plant grows best in high altitudes with a lot of rainfall and shade. The most commonly accepted story is that the plant was given its name in the 12th Century, after it was brought to Yemen and Arabia from Ethiopia.
Almost all coffees are brewed using these beans to create a rich and vibrant cup of coffee.
Robusta
The coffee tree Coffea Canephora produces robusta beans. The plant was first discovered in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1800s. Robusta coffee generally contains more caffeine than other types of coffee. On average, Robusta coffee contains 25% more caffeine than other types of coffee.
The trees that produce Robusta coffee beans are pretty strong and resilient, forgive me for the pun. Different from Arabica, It can survive in a range of climates and altitudes as long as there is enough rain.
Robusta coffee beans are mostly used in espresso blends because they can create a rich body and crema. Some people might like this coffee because it tastes like dark chocolate.
Liberica
The Liberica coffee bean is the rarest coffee bean in the world, making up only 1% of the world’s coffee production. The coffee rust originally came from East Africa and spread to Malaysia and the Philippines in the 1980s due to the coffee rust plague.
The primary source of Liberica beans is now these two countries.
Coffee farmers and roasters are trying to make coffee taste less earthy and smoky. A high quality Liberica coffee bean can produce a light bodied coffee with subtle tasting notes of flowers and fruit.
I can certainly attest to the flavors of Kapeng Barako because I grew up drinking it. It is brewed with a type of Liberica beans.
Excelsa
In 2006, Excelsa coffee was reclassified as a variety of Liberica coffee. You can find caffeine in coffee trees, which can grow as tall as 20 to 30 feet. The beans of this coffee also have a similar almond-like shape to Liberica beans.
The main difference between the two is it’s flavor. Excelsa coffees usually have a fruity and tart taste, with a hint of smokiness that can remind you of a darkly roasted coffee.
This tobacco has some complexity and depth, which is why it is often used in blends. So, if you’re looking for a different coffee experience, these beans might be for you.
Key Differences And Similarities Between Arabica And Robusta
1. Flavor
Most associate coffee with bitterness. Although they often add flavoring to cover it up, there is actually a variety of flavors depending on the type. The taste of the wine is mainly due to the grape variety. There may be some slight differences in taste depending on the region, but the type of grape is the main factor.
These coffees are known for their rich flavor and complexity. Specialty coffee is often associated with high quality.
An arabica coffee bean can have almost twice as many sugars and lipids as a robusta coffee bean. The way in which you grind your coffee beans has a big effect on the taste of your coffee. 100% arabica beans make a softer and sweeter tasting cup of coffee than a blend of robusta beans.
The flavors of this drink can be complex, with notes of sugar, fruit, and berries. One reason Arabica coffee beans are prized is that they tend to be more acidic. This coffee variety has winey tones when lightly roasted, compared to other varieties.
Robusta coffee beans are known for their strong, often bitter flavor, and lack of complexity. The coffee beans used for this type of coffee are roasted for a longer time than arabica beans, which makes them more bitter. The higher levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acids emphasize these bitter flavors.
Most robusta beans tend to be dark roasted, so the coffee tends to be more bitter.
Some people might actually prefer the more intense, less fruity flavors of Robustas. Robustas are drinkable, however some might prefer the more intense less fruity flavors. Arabica coffee beans are more likely to produce a better-tasting coffee, regardless of the beans’ quality, due to the way they are processed.
A robusta coffee bean can also give an espresso blend a fuller body and denser crema.
We’ve all tried robusta coffee at some point because it’s common in instant coffees and present in some blends.
2. Growth
There are a number of factors that impact how long it takes for a coffee plant to mature and how much fruit it produces. Coffee trees need consistent rainfall and temperature changes to grow and prosper.
However, different types of coffee can be grown in various climates and at different altitudes. Some types of coffee do better in certain conditions than others.
Coffee Arabica beans do best when grown at high altitudes, but they are more vulnerable to pests and insects than Robusta beans.
The arabica coffee plant is also vulnerable to diseases, such as coffee leaf rust. This type of fungus has had a significant impact on the global supply of arabica coffee at various points throughout history.
The Arabica coffee plant grows best at high altitudes of around 900 meters above sea level and in temperatures between 15 to 24ºC. The plentiful rain and cooler temperature help the fruit to ripen slowly, resulting in a higher sugar content.
The plant doesn’t reach its full potential for several years. Since Arabica coffee beans grow slowly and are vulnerable to pests, they must be carefully cultivated. The combination of these factors results in a more expensive and higher quality coffee than robusta coffee.
coffee tree that is called “coffea canephora” and it produces robusta coffee. This tree is simpler to grow and blossoms at lower altitudes. This coffee is more naturally resistant to pests and diseases, like coffee rust. Primarily due to its high caffeine content.
Robusta coffee plants can grow at altitudes ranging from sea level to 800 meters above sea level. The temperature that is best for growth is around 24 to 30ºC. The coffee cherries ripen more quickly than usual, leading to a less complex flavor because there is less sugar in the fruit.
One of the primary reasons that Robusta is used in commercial coffees is that it has a shorter harvesting period, which in turn produces a maximum yield.
3. The Shape
Robusta beans are smaller, rounder, and more oval-shaped, while Arabica coffee beans are flatter and more oval-shaped.
I have distinguished between these two types of coffee beans by their size so that when you purchase them, you will be able to tell which is which by looking at the size of the bean. I’m advising you not to buy coffee bean powder. Always prefer coffee beans in the whole form.
4. Plant
Arabica coffee leaves are smaller and have a glossy dark upper surface. On the other hand, Robusta coffee leaves are often lighter in color, less waxy, larger, and slightly undulating.
Arabica plant:
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. – 15 ft. 0 in.
Width:: 6 ft. 0 in. – 15 ft. 0 in.
Robusta plant grows as a tough tree or shrub to about 4.5 to 10 m tall.
After three years, Arabica coffee plants typically yield commercial crops. In comparison, Robusta coffee trees take only one year to become productive.
5. Cultivation
Robusta coffee trees can grow up to 32 feet in height, which is twice the size of average coffee trees. Robusta coffee trees are able to grow well in high humidity. Once the plant flowers, it takes about a year for the berries to ripen.
Robusta is less likely to be affected by pests and weather conditions because it contains high levels of caffeine and chlorogenic acid. Since cross-pollination by air, flies, and other insects is necessary to regenerate plants, Robustas are easy to develop.
The Robusta coffee bean can grow at lower altitudes than the Arabica bean. The Robusta tree also bears fruit much faster and produces more fruit than the Arabica tree.
In comparison, the Arabica tree is much smaller than a Robusta. It blooms less than Robusta. They are harder to grow and nurture than Robusta because they are more susceptible to weather and insect damage.
And they give fruits even less than Robusta. perfectly Arabica is an expensive tree that has to be pruned perfectly.
6. Region
Robusta coffee is mostly grown in Vietnam and has become the world’s largest exporter of it. Robusta is also grown in India, Indonesia, Africa, Uganda, and Brazil, where it is often called conilon.
The best known Arabica coffee beans come from African countries like Jamaica, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
Brazil is still the largest coffee producer in the world, accounting for one-third of global Arabica coffee production.
7. Market value
Arabic accounts for 60% of the world’s coffee consumption. Robusta coffee beans make up 40% of all coffee consumed. The difference in consumption of both coffees is gradually getting smaller.
This is a change of 3.44% from last month and 21.92% from one year ago. Coffee Arabica Price is currently at 3.658, which is up 3.44% from last month, and up 21.92% from one year ago. There has been a 3.25% increase from last month, and a 22.44% increase from this time last year.
This is a change of 3.09% from last month and a change of 7.35% from one year ago. Coffee Robusta Price is currently at 1.612, 3.09% higher than last month and 7.35% higher than this time last year. The percentage has increased by 3.42% from last month and 7.43% from this time last year.
In contrast to Robusta, Arabica coffee is more expensive to grow and store but its production is less. The price of Arabica coffee beans is higher than the price of Robusta beans.
8. Oil
Arrabica coffee beans have a higher oil content (15-17%) then Robusta beans. The Arabica coffee bean makes for a sweeter cup of coffee, with more complex aromas and a smoother, softer texture.
9. Lipids and sugar content
The recent study concluded that Arabica coffee beans have a lipid content of about 15%, while Robusta coffee beans have a lipid content of only 10%.
In comparison, Arabica coffee beans have nearly twice the amount of sugar as robusta beans. The sugars play an important role in the roasting process by creating several key aromatic compounds.
10. Antioxidants
Robusta coffee extracts were found to have more antioxidant benefits than those from Arabica coffee beans in a recent study. The best way to get antioxidants from coffee beans is to boil them in water at high pressure.
11. Chlorogenic acid
Robusta coffeecontains about twice the concentration of caffeine than other types of coffee. This means that robusta coffee is much more likely to survive in the wild.
Since it has a bitter taste, chlorogenic acid is probably effective in keeping insects and animals away. coffees. This is also the case for Arabica and Robusta coffees when it comes to caffeine content.
12. Acidity
Arabica coffee beans are more acidic than Robusta coffee beans. The high acidity of Arabica beans gives them a sweeter, softer, and winey taste, with tones of sugar, fruit, and berries.
Robusta coffee has less acidity than Arabica coffee, so it tastes less sweet.
13. Health Benefits
When it comes to choosing between red and white wine, the best option for you depends on your individual health situation.
There are benefits to both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, so whichever type best suits your needs is the better choice for you. For example, Arabica coffee has less caffeine than Robusta coffee.
If you’re caffeine-sensitive, you’ll appreciate Robusta. Acidity is higher in Arabica beans and lower in Robusta beans. This means that if you struggle with stomach acidity, choosing a Robusta coffee will help you out.
14. Content of Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound that is found in coffee cherry trees— especially in its fruit skins, leaves, and beans.
Since Robusta coffee beans contain high levels of caffeine, a cup of coffee made with them will have far more caffeine than a cup made with Arabica beans.
Yes, caffeine has a flavor. It has a bitter, alkaline, slightly soapy taste.
The back of your tongue will feel bitter after you take a sip of coffee if it has a lot of caffeine. Robusta coffee beans are more likely to cause this effect than Arabica coffee beans.
Some people like to drink alcohol very quickly and feel its effects strongly, but not everyone enjoys this experience. If you prefer a lighter mouth sensation, consider a low caffeine Arabica coffee, or stick to Robusta coffee.
Although it’s rare, some people are sensitive to caffeine. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may feel jittery, uneasy, or irritable after drinking it. You may also have trouble sleeping and experience anxiety or stomach pain. If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming Robusta coffee beans, try switching to Arabica coffee beans and see if there is any difference.