Arabica vs Robusta is one of the most well-known rivalries in the coffee world. Both varieties have their ardent supporters, who are convinced of the superiority of their favorite. Many coffee lovers, however, struggle with doubts about which beans to choose. In today's article, we lend a helping hand to the undecided – we explain how Arabica differs from Robusta and present the characteristics of both types of coffee.
Arabica – the gentle queen of nobility
If you want to make an informed decision about which coffee beans should go into your espresso machine – Arabica or Robusta, you need to know what distinguishes each of them. Arabica beans come from a plant with the botanical name Coffea arabica. Its roots are traced to the southwestern regions of Ethiopia, as well as the mountainous areas of Yemen. Currently, around 70% of coffee cultivation is concentrated on this variety, making it the leader of the global market. Today, we distinguish over 140 varieties of Arabica, and more are being successively discovered or obtained through laboratory breeding.
Where is Arabica grown?
Arabica coffee is grown in dozens of countries, with most of its plantations located in the countries of Central and South America, central Africa, and around the Indian subcontinent. Brazil is the largest producer of Arabica, where the highly prized Bourbon variety is grown, among others.
The places where Arabica is grown are not random, because it requires very specific conditions for development. Mountainous areas located at an altitude of approximately 1000 to 2500 m above sea level work best, where the average annual temperature ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.
This is not the only criterion, however. For Arabica to grow properly, it should be grown in fertile volcanic soils. Regular rainfall and plenty of sunlight are also essential for obtaining high-quality beans.
The problem with Arabica is its high susceptibility to diseases and pest activity. An example of an ailment affecting Arabica crops is coffee leaf rust (approx. trans. coffee leaf rust), a fungal disease that attacks the plant's leaves, consequently causing the loss of its fruit. Low resistance to negative external factors may result from the low caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) content. The former provides natural protection against insects, while the latter exhibits antifungal and antibacterial properties. The difficulties associated with growing Arabica determine its price, which in many cases is higher than the price of Robusta beans.
What distinguishes Arabica beans?
When considering how Arabica differs from Robusta, it is worth paying attention to the beans of both types of coffee. Arabica beans are characterized by a flat, slightly elongated shape. They can also be easily recognized by the appearance of the groove, which takes the form of an "S" shape. Green-brown beans also stand out in terms of their chemical composition. The amount of sugars and fats contained in them is higher than in Robusta. Arabica's complex flavor profile may result from the fact that it has more chromosomes than its rival. However, it should be noted that Arabica beans have a much lower caffeine content than their competitor's beans – caffeine makes up only 0.9 to 1.7% in Arabica, which makes it almost twice as low as Robusta in this regard. The lower caffeine and CGA content in Arabica compared to Robusta makes it stand out with a mild taste and less noticeable bitterness.
Arabica Coffee – a wealth of taste and aroma in a subtle form
Arabica is famous among coffee lovers as a provider of extraordinary taste and aromatic experiences. In discussions about Arabica vs Robusta, you can often come across voices saying that Coffea arabica beans are simply better than their rival's beans. This is an unfair simplification, although it is based on Arabica's undeniable qualities. Its properties may vary depending on, among other things, cultivation and processing and roasting methods, but usually, the taste and aroma of this type of coffee are dominated by notes:
- fruity, including citrus, cherry, blackcurrant, and plum,
- floral,
- cocoa,
- chocolate,
- nutty,
- spicy.
Arabica coffee is characterized by a light sweetness and noticeable acidity. Bitterness in its case is definitely in the background, which is why Arabica works great for various types of dessert coffees. It is also an excellent choice for people who:
- drink many cups of coffee a day,
- limit their caffeine intake,
- appreciate a complex and deep bouquet,
- want to enjoy a mild, tasty coffee and are not interested in its stimulating properties.
Fancy a light coffee during relaxation time? Arabica Coffee from our roastery will allow you to spend your free time with a smile on your face.
Robusta – the ideal option for lovers of coffee stimulation
Arabica and Robusta are coffee varieties that rule the global market undisputed, although Robusta has a smaller share in it, reaching around 30%. The lineage of this type of coffee leads us to western Sub-Saharan Africa – not by chance is Robusta also referred to as Congolese coffee (Coffea canephora). Similarly to Arabica, today it is mainly grown in the so-called coffee belt, which is the area located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta, and other popular exporters of this variety are Brazil and Indonesia, among others.
How is Robusta grown?
Robusta plantations are located in areas at a maximum altitude of 800 m above sea level. The average temperature there ranges from 24 to 36 degrees Celsius, which means it can be significantly higher than in Arabica plantations.
When we consider the Arabica and Robusta varieties and analyze the differences between them, one of them can be noticed on the level of cultivation difficulties. Robusta is much less demanding than Arabica, which guarantees more abundant yields. The plant from which Robusta beans are obtained is larger than Coffea arabica, and also more resistant to pests and diseases. This is due to the fact that it contains significantly larger amounts of caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which effectively protects it from these negative factors.
Robusta's lower requirements regarding growing conditions mean that its price is usually lower than Arabica. This does not mean, however, that Robusta is a lower-quality coffee – excellent beans of this variety are available on the market, which are not inferior in class to Arabica.
Robusta beans – what are their characteristics?
When you see a bean and wonder whether it is Arabica or Robusta, pay attention to its shape and the appearance of the groove. In the case of Robusta, the groove is straight, and the bean itself is smaller and rounder than an Arabica bean. The difference can also be seen in the color of the raw coffee, which in Robusta is a mixture of yellow and green.
Visual issues do not, of course, take center stage in the topic: Arabica vs Robusta – differences. What is much more important is what is hidden in the Robusta beans. Above all, it is the high caffeine content, which reaches up to 2.7% – more about how much caffeine coffee has, we write in a separate guide. Another important feature of Robusta is the presence of a large amount of chlorogenic acid, amounting to 7-10%, while in Arabica it is from 5.5 to 8%. It is precisely the high content of CGA and caffeine that Robusta owes its trademark, which is its characteristic bitterness. In comparison with Arabica, Robusta beans have a lower content of sugars and lipids.
Robusta – the quintessence of boldness and character
Due to the smaller number of chromosomes, in the clash of Arabica vs Robusta for the richness of taste and aroma, the first type of coffee wins. Robusta is characterized by a less intense and varied bouquet, while it stands out with tart and bitter taste notes. Supporters of this type of coffee appreciate it for its noticeable accents, which bring to mind chocolate and baked bread. The aftertaste of Robusta lingers on the tongue for longer, allowing you to enjoy it for longer.
Due to the high caffeine content, Robusta beans are gladly chosen by people who expect a stimulating effect from coffee. However, this is not the only application in which this variety proves itself. Robusta also works exceptionally well in the case of espresso, which it is able to provide with an excellent, thick crema.
Arabica vs Robusta – comparison of both types of coffee
Arabica and Robusta are the two most popular coffee varieties, but they differ in many aspects. Let's start with the fact that Arabica is much harder to grow. For harmonious growth, this plant needs, among other things, volcanic soils, frequent rainfall, and plenty of sunlight. Robusta is less demanding to grow, and at the same time more resistant than Arabica to pests and diseases, which results from the higher caffeine and chlorogenic acid content.
We can also see the difference between Arabica and Robusta by looking at the beans of both coffees. Arabica beans are flattened, large, and elongated, while Robusta beans have a rounder shape and are smaller. A big hint when trying to distinguish these coffees is also the appearance of the groove located on the bean. Robusta has a straight groove, and Arabica is decorated with an S-shaped indentation.
Arabica fans appreciate it for its richness of taste and aroma. It is characterized by mild notes – depending on many factors, you can feel fruity, chocolatey, spicy, and even nutty accents in it. Arabica also has more sweetness and acidity than its competitor referred to as Congolese coffee. Robusta, on the other hand, is much sharper and more intense. Its aroma is muted, while bitterness and earthiness break through in the taste. It is far from the subtlety of its rival – Robusta is characterized by a distinct tartness.
Summary
Many coffee lovers wonder, which coffee is better: Arabica or Robusta? The answer to this question depends primarily on the expectations and preferences of the coffee lover – we write about this in more detail in the text which coffee bean is best. If you are looking for a strong stimulation, then Robusta coffee will be a good choice. If, however, you care about a diverse, nuanced taste and aroma, then reach for Arabica. Blends of both coffee varieties are also available on the market, which combine the caffeine power of Robusta and the extraordinary taste and aromatic qualities of Arabica.
Remember that both Arabica and Robusta can provide you with many positive experiences, provided you stock up on high-quality beans. Our LaCava coffee roastery offers diverse, carefully selected products from around the world – we have coffee beans from, among others, Brazil, Ethiopia, or Kenya. Place an order and enjoy exceptional coffees every day.
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