Coffee review

What is the difference in flavor characteristics between Arabica coffee beans and robusta coffee?

Published: 2024-09-17 Author: World Gafei
Last Updated: 2024/09/17, More information about coffee beans Please follow the Coffee Workshop (official Wechat account cafe_style) there are more than 100 kinds of coffee in the world, two of which are Arabica and Robusta/Canephora. These two kinds of coffee are quite different in taste, composition and planting conditions. We will compare the difference between them below.

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At present, there are more than 100 kinds of coffee in the world, of which two of the most common are Arabica and Robusta/Canephora. These two kinds of coffee are very different in taste, composition and growing conditions. We will compare the differences between them below.

Arabica coffee beans (Arabica): expensive, supple taste, low caffeine

Coffee advertisements often emphasize that they use 100% Arabica coffee. Yes, in terms of price alone, Arabica is indeed more advanced, the average price of Arabica coffee beans is twice that of Robusta.

In terms of composition, Arabica has low caffeine (0.9-1.2%), 60% more fat and twice as much sugar, so taken together, Arabica tastes sweet and soft, with a plum-like sour taste.

In addition, Arabica has lower chlorogenic acid (5.5-8%), and chlorogenic acid is not only antioxidant, but also an important component of resistance to pests, so Arabica is more vulnerable to insects and climate, generally planted at higher elevations, bearing less fruit and slower. The fruit is oval.

At present, the largest grower of Arabica is Brazil, while Colombia produces only Arabica coffee beans.

Robusta: cheap, bitter, high caffeine

In contrast, Robusta, which is high in caffeine (1.6-2.4%) and low in fat and sugar, tastes bitter and strong, and some even say it tastes rubber.

Robusta has a high content of chlorogenic acid (7-10%), which is not easy to be affected by insects and climate. It is generally planted at a low altitude, bearing many fruits and fast. The fruit is round.

At present, the largest grower of Robusta is Vietnam, which is also produced in Africa and India.

Price is not equal to quality.

Because of its low price, Robusta is often mixed with coffee powder on the market to reduce costs. At present, most of the cheap instant coffee on the market is Robusta, but the price is not equal to quality. Good quality robusta beans are often used in espresso (espressos) because of its rich crema. Robusta with good quality tastes even better than Arabica beans with poor quality.

Therefore, the choice between the two kinds of coffee beans mainly depends on personal preferences. Some people may think that the aroma of Arabica is too strong, while others like Robusta's mellow bitterness. The only thing we want to remind you is that if you are sensitive to caffeine, pay special attention to the amount of caffeine. Robusta has twice as much caffeine as Arabica.

Of course, these are not the only two varieties of coffee, you can also try Java (Java), Kona (Kona), Sumatra (Sumatra) and other varieties to add new flavor to your coffee experience.

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