The popularity of coffee across the globe has grown tremendously over the last decade. A globetrotting friend of mine told me he visited a Starbucks in China that can seat fifty people, but he could not get a table. This attests to coffee’s remarkable ability to bridge cultures, faiths, and nationalities. Coffee is prepared in many different flavors, blends and styles to satisfy individual preferences. Here at Brew Best Coffee we are often asked about the designation “100% Arabica Beans” that appears on our labels. In this post we will explain the difference between the two most popular species of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica vs Robusta Beans: The Difference and Why It Matters
Arabica and Robusta are different species of the same plant family, but the main differences between them lie in the distinct flavor profiles and physical characteristics of the beans. This is key, because these characteristics can and often do influence your taste and flovor experiences. This article will focus on five factors that highlight the distinct characteristics of Arabica and Robusta that set them apart. We hope this will help you understand the complexity of the process, and help determine which specie suits your palate, and perhaps, even your mood.
1) Taste
For some this aspect may be the most important contrast between the two Beans. As far as flavor, Robusta tends to have a more natural earthy taste that many have described as ‘rubbery’. Arabica on the other hand, has a profile that encompasses fruity, sweet, and even hints of chocolate. Arabica has a milder and more distinct fragrance, while Robusta has a strong, bitter, and grainy tone.
2) Organic Makeup
The organic makeup of these beans is where their differences are most glaring. Some of the main factors that contribute to the taste of coffee are the lipid, sugar, and caffeine contents. Compared to Robusta, Arabica has twice as much sugar, and significantly more lipids. Contrary to the popular view that Arabica has a higher caffeine content because of its sweet taste, the opposite is actually true. Robusta’s caffeine concentration is 2.7%, while Arabica’s is only 1.5%. The Arabica plant is delicate and more vulnerable to insects and other dangers, whereas Robusta seeds are denser, and tough enough to withstand attacks from natural elements.
3) Growing Environment
There is also a difference in the growing conditions for each. Arabica is cultivated in tropical climates on hills and mountains at elevations of 600m and over. This height however can negatively affect the harvest when temperatures drop to freezing point. Robusta by contrast, can be grown from sea level to 600m. As noted above Arabica beans are softer in comparison to their Robusta cousins, and must be protected from insects and pests.
4) Supply
Supply and hence availability is also important to the coffee experience. More than 60% of the world’s coffee production is Arabica beans with Robusta accounting for most of the rest. Vietnam is the top exporter of Robusta while Brazil produces the most Arabica. Natural, political, or economic events in either of these two countries can, and often have had a tremendous effect on the supply of beans.
5) Pricing
Surprisingly, Robusta coffee beans are about half the price of Arabica, due to the ease of growing, and the durable nature of the seed. The delicate nature of the Arabica plant can be seen from the surge in its price in 2021, following freezing temperatures in Brazil, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Brazil is the globe's largest producer of coffee, and natural events like these affect the price and availability of coffee worldwide.
Hopefully this post has shed some light on the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans, and helps you decide on your next coffee experience. Please comment below and let us know if you found this post enlightening, or interesting. We want to hear your opinion. Which specie do you prefer and why? Did the post alter you decision as to your next purchase? Let us and others know your thoughts below.
