Difference Between Arabica Beans and Robusta Beans. Which is the better bean?
What Is Robusta Coffee?
Robusta coffee is a coffee bean variety derived from the Coffea canephora plant. It accounts for roughly 30% of global production, making it the second most popular bean variety. It is well-known for its strong, harsh, and deep flavor, as well as its high caffeine content. These characteristics make Robusta ideal for instant coffee, which is why it is used in the majority of instant coffee powders and granules.
What Is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica is the most abundant bean species. It is derived from the plant Coffea Arabica and is widely preferred by coffee connoisseurs over Robusta. The nuanced, vibrant, sweeter, and more complex flavors contribute significantly to the bean’s popularity. Despite the lower caffeine content, coffee lovers cling to their prized Arabica beans for their delectable taste.
What are the differences between these two beans?
Arabica and Robusta have more differences than similarities; in fact, the only thing they have in common is that they both brew a cup of coffee!
Appearance
To begin this comparison, consider the first thing you’d notice about the two beans: their appearance. Robusta is a smaller, rounder, and thicker variety of coffee. The arabica resembles the ‘typical’ bean you’re used to seeing. Taller, slimmer, and with an instantly recognizable ‘S’ shape down the middle.
Caffeine Levels
The caffeine content of the beans comes next. Robusta has roughly twice the caffeine content of Arabica. Robusta has a caffeine content of 2.7 percent on average, while Arabica has a caffeine content of 1.5 percent.
The Robusta plant contains more natural caffeine, which is transferred to the cups we drink. Although this is ideal for instant coffee, where we want a boost of energy rather than great flavor, it is not ideal for artisan standards. Arabica is usually the winner for those who drink coffee for the flavor, as a high caffeine content results in a bitter flavor.
Cultivation
Arabica coffee accounts for roughly 75 percent of global production, with Robusta accounting for the remaining 25 percent. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of Arabica, while Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of Robusta.
One thing to keep in mind is that taste preferences and profiles differ from person to person. Many people enjoy a good Robusta-filled blend, while others prefer only 100 percent Arabica. Have fun and don’t forget to share!
Taste
There is a significant difference in flavor between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, which can be detected with a single sip of a high-quality cup. Robusta is frequently described as having a much stronger, even burnt-tasting flavor than its counterpart. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it could be exactly what some people want in their cup of coffee.
Again, there are no clear distinctions between these two types of coffee beans in terms of quality or enjoyment. They both have distinct properties and target entirely different audiences, but they can be just as delicious as one another.
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