Arabica and Robusta
by: Marisa Hart
Arabica and Robusta. You’ve probably heard them in your coffee drinking experience, but what’s the difference? There are actually over 100 different varieties of coffee beans, but only Arabica and Robusta are grown for consumption.
If you already drink Alma coffee, your favorite cup is 100% Arabica but knowing the difference will make you a more informed coffee drinker. In this week’s blog, we explore the differences, the science and geography of both Arabica and Robusta as well as where you can find them.
The Beans
At first glance, you might not notice a difference between the Arabic and Robusta beans. And while they do have some things in common, they have quite a few differences especially when it comes to taste. The beans share the same family but are different species. Coffea arabica or Arabica coffee makes up nearly 75% of the coffee market while its cousin Robusta, or Coffea canephora, makes up the minority share.
The most noticeable difference between the two is the taste. Coffee connoisseurs might notice the sweet and fruity notes in Arabica coffee while Robust beans have a nuttier taste. Robusta beans also have a sharper flavor and are much more bitter.
The beans also differ in caffeine content. An Arabica bean is 1.2-1.5% caffeine and a Robusta bean is 2.2-2.7% caffeine. Arabica beans also have more sugar and fat than Robusta. By a lot. Arabica has twice as much sugar and 60% more fat than Robusta.
All this greatly affects the taste of the finished product. The caffeine content is part of what makes Robusta so bitter, and the sugar and fat is what gives Arabica its sweetness. Just like in a steak, fat is most definitely flavor for the Arabica bean.
Robusta beans are also higher in a naturally occurring antioxidant called chlorogenic acid. Caffeine content and chlorogenic acid helps keep both bugs and diseases away. The downside to chlorogenic acid is that the oxidation process produces unwanted tastes in the finished cup.
The Geography
Though Arabica and Robusta beans looks very similar, the plants they come from thrive in different conditions. Robusta originated in eastern and central Africa where it is still grown today.
Robusta is cultivated exclusively in the eastern hemisphere in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda. Meanwhile, Arabica thrives in Central and South America. Brazil, the world’s leader in coffee production, grows both Arabica and Robusta.
As we covered in our previous blog, coffee is a finicky crop, especially Arabica shrubs. Arabica plants need a cool sub-tropic climate and higher altitudes.
Robusta shrubs on the other hand are sturdier and more resilient to the elements. They can grow at lower altitudes and drier climates, mature faster, and produce more each harvest.
Robusta or Araibica
Our head roaster Matt Mullins assures us that, unless you’re a habitual instant coffee drinker, most people are not typically Robusta drinkers. It’s too bitter for the average coffee drinker and the quality is generally much lower than that of Arabica coffee.
Robusta, however, can also be found in some espresso blends because the crema—the foam on top—is greater in Robusta blends. And roasters looking for highly caffeinated brew might lean towards Robusta.
Each type of coffee has their place in the coffee chain. Robusta might have a reputation for being lower quality and more bitter, we can appreciate its versatility. Robusta can be found in blends to add a complexity of flavor. So, while we may be Arabica drinkers here at Alma, we can certainly respect the role Robusta plays in coffee.
So, Alma readers, do you prefer the sweeter, fruity notes of an Arabica roast or the sharper, nuttier tastes of a Robusta blend?
20 comments
DR ISIKOLO cast a lottery spell for me and i won $8.500.000 . Read my review and contact him now for your own lottery winning numbers. It is a very hard situation when playing the lottery and never won, or keep winning low fund not up to 500 bucks, i have been a victim of such a tough life, the biggest fund i have ever won was 350 buck, and i have been playing the lottery for almost 8 years now, things suddenly change the moment i came across a secret online, a testimony of a voodoo doctor who help people in any type of lottery numbers, i was not easily convinced, but i decided to take try, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of DR ISIKOLO, i won $8.500.000 and i am making this known to every one of you who have been trying all day to win the lottery, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery, this is the real secret we all have been searching for, you can contact Dr Isikolo on his WhatsApp via +234-8133261196 or checkout his page https://isikolo-temple.com
My husband had the habit of always texting and fixing dates with his old friends including his exes. I never thought there was a problem with such until he became emotionally withdrawn from me and started acting abnormal towards me and my daughter. At this point I knew I needed help urgently because I never wanted to loose him. Dr Isikolo came to my rescue and the problem was fixed. One my husband’s ex vowed to ensure she takes him from him and started manipulating him to abandon me and my daughter which would have eventually happened if Dr Isikolo didn’t stepped in to help me. Just after 48 hours after fixing the problem, everything became amazing between me and my husband and now he has apologized for everything and we are good again. Contact Dr Isikolo and believe he will surely fix that problem for you. click on his webpage and see more details about his good works. https://isikolo-temple.com or WhatsApp him on +2348133261196
Good day to everyone reading my post, i’m here to appreciate a legitimate spell caster call Dr Kachi who can help you winning the lottery draw, i have never win a biggest amount in lottery unite the day i saw good reviews about DR Kachi how he has helped a lot of people in different ways both financially/martially and i have been playing Mega Million for 8years now, but things suddenly change the moment i contacted Dr Kachi and explained everything to me about the spell and I accepted. I followed his instructions and played the Mega Million with the numbers he gave me, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of Dr Kachi spell, i win $640 Million Dollars in Mega Millions Ticket, i am making this known to everyone out there who have been trying all day to win the lottery jackpot, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery, this is the real secret we all have been searching for. I want to thank Dr Kachi for his endless help and his from the United States. you can contact via email drkachispellcast@gmail.com or through Text and Call Number: +1 (209) 893-8075 his website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
I’m sharing my experience to you on how I won the lottery, you can win the lottery fast and reliable in wherever you are in the world, Dr Lucas is a God sent, I saw so many testimonials online on how he helped people won different kinds of lottery, I never believed so I had to contact him to be sure if he’s real and genuine, to my greatest surprise he helped me won the 70 million Lotto Max Jackpot in Canada, I’m Mitchel Dyck, I regularly buy the lottery tickets whenever I go to fill my truck almost all the time, Dr Lucas told me what I needed to do as he cast my spell which i followed without any mistakes, he gave me the numbers on the 2nd day of the spell and directed me on how to play and I really won with the numbers he gave me, I can’t explain all of my experience with Dr Lucas, you can review about my winnings online then give Dr Lucas a try and watch how you will win, Email him on Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp him on +234 904 794 3567 You’ll never regret contacting Dr Lucas
I’m sharing my experience to you on how I won the lottery, you can win the lottery fast and reliable in wherever you are in the world, Dr Lucas is a God sent, I saw so many testimonials online on how he helped people won different kinds of lottery, I never believed so I had to contact him to be sure if he’s real and genuine, to my greatest surprise he helped me won the 70 million Lotto Max Jackpot in Canada, I’m Mitchel Dyck, I regularly buy the lottery tickets whenever I go to fill my truck almost all the time, Dr Lucas told me what I needed to do as he cast my spell which i followed without any mistakes, he gave me the numbers on the 2nd day of the spell and directed me on how to play and I really won with the numbers he gave me, I can’t explain all of my experience with Dr Lucas, you can review about my winnings online then give Dr Lucas a try and watch how you will win, Email him on Drlucasspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp him on +234 904 794 3567 You’ll never regret contacting Dr Lucas .