Everyone has heard of Robusta coffee beans and Arabica coffee beans. Why are the coffee beans we see sold in cafes all Arabica coffee beans, but rarely see Robusta coffee beans? We are all coffee beans, what is the difference between the two? This article will answer the questions about Arabica coffee beans and Robusta coffee.
Q1: Where do Arabica and Robusta varieties come from?
The Arabica varieties all originate from Ethiopia. To this day, there are still many unknown coffee tree varieties in Ethiopia’s virgin forests. The Robusta coffee variety originated from the Congo area in West Africa. Robusta actually belongs to the Canefra species, also known as the Congolese species. But unfortunately, only one variety named Robusta among the Canefra species can be commercialized and well-known. So much so that now Robusta has almost replaced Canefra as the synonym for this species.
Q2: What are the characteristics of Robusta and Arabica varieties?
The Robusta variety is one fruit and one bean, that is, there is only one coffee bean in a Robusta coffee fruit. Robusta coffee beans are relatively round and C-shaped; the center line is in the shape of a "1".
There are two coffee beans inside the Arabica coffee berry (of course, there will occasionally be only one coffee bean. Because of its three-dimensional oval shape, people will call such coffee beans round beans/beads). The bean shape of Arabica coffee is oval, slender and flat, with a "C/S" shape in the center line.
Q3: Are there any differences in the growing environment requirements between Arabica varieties and Robusta varieties?
Arabica coffee beans have very high requirements for the growing environment. Temperature and high altitude are the most basic requirements for growing Arabica varieties. Through different altitudes, temperatures, microclimates, humidity, soil, etc., the flavor expression of Arabica varieties will be completely different. Because the planting altitude is high and the temperature difference between day and night is large, the growing time of coffee trees will also be extended, and the flavor will be richer.
The growing conditions of Robusta are not as harsh as those of Arabica, and Robusta can grow at lower altitudes and higher temperatures. It grows faster than Arabica and is more tolerant of extreme weather conditions. Robusta is widely grown in Vietnam, Brazil, India and other countries. Robusta is also grown in Hainan, China.
Q4: What is the caffeine content of Arabica varieties and Robusta varieties?
Arabica has a low caffeine content, about 0.9% to 1.2%; the fat content is 60% more than Robusta coffee; and the sugar content is twice as much; therefore, the Arabica variety tastes clean and sweet, usually with soft acidity, and the flavor is quite rich. Compared with Arabica, Robusta has a higher caffeine content, about 1.6% to 2.4%, and lower fat and sugar content, so its taste is bitter and stronger. Caffeine is the best “natural pesticide” against pests.
Q5: Why are Robusta varieties more disease resistant than Arabica varieties?
Front Street read through the information and learned that Arabica coffee trees reproduce through self-pollination, while Robusta reproduces through cross-pollination, and this step of pollination involves genetic inheritance. The offspring produced through cross-pollination possess the genetic traits of both parent plants and are likely to develop new characteristics that help it survive in a changing environment. Therefore, self-pollinated Arabica is quite fragile. In the process of continuous reproduction, the genes will become more and more single, just like inbreeding in biology. When a disease threatens coffee trees (such as leaf rust), all Arabica coffee trees carrying the same gene may be destroyed. Robusta varieties can adapt to the environment by constantly changing their genes.
Q6: What are the flavor characteristics of Arabica coffee beans?
Arabica coffee beans are grown in high altitude areas, where the temperature difference between day and night is large and the growth rate is slow, allowing enough time for more flavors to develop.
Take the well-known Typica coffee beans, bourbon coffee beans, and Gesha coffee beans as examples. Front Street Blue Mountain Typica coffee beans have a quiet, clean and balanced flavor; Front Street Brazilian Bourbon coffee beans have a better aroma, with a milky nutty flavor, and the flavor will be fuller; the biggest feature of Front Street Gesha coffee beans is that they have a rich floral aroma and soft acidity. Front Street Grana Geisha is the first choice.
Q7: What are the flavor characteristics of Robusta coffee beans?
As mentioned above, Robusta is mostly grown in low-altitude areas, where it grows quickly and develops less flavor. In addition, the Robusta coffee tree itself has a high content of chlorogenic acid (the source of bitter substances), so the coffee has a more mellow and deeper taste, as well as flavors such as walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, wheat, cereals, etc., and even a pungent earthy taste.
Q8: Where are Robusta coffee beans generally used?
Compared to Arabica, Robusta coffee lacks a bright aroma, but has a very high body and rich oil, so it is very suitable for use in Italian bean recipes.
Front Street Classic Blend is a medium-dark roasted Italian bean that combines Brazilian red bourbon, Indonesian Mandheling and a small amount of Vietnamese Robusta. It aims to restore the flavor of ancient Italian coffee. It is specially made for espresso machines and moka pots. When extracted and concentrated, it will exude rich flavors of butter, roasted hazelnuts, caramel, and dark chocolate. It has a thick taste and a sweet and refreshing black coffee aroma. Adding milk to make latte coffee requires a smooth and delicate taste. It can be used for both home production and coffee shops.
Many friends have a special liking for the aroma of nuts and chocolate, and at the same time want to make rich coffee crema, so they buy Front Street Commercial Blend. Front Street Commercial Blend is a product specially launched for friends who open coffee shops. It uses a combination of Brazil and Colombia, the two largest coffee producing countries in the world. It is rich in the aroma of almonds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts and other nuts, and has a sweet aftertaste of chocolate. Finally, a small amount of Robusta is added to fill up the fat. Both novices and professional baristas can easily make a cup of rich and rich Italian coffee.
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
