What is Arabica coffee?

In many places where coffee is sold, it is not difficult to find words like "100% Arabica". Even canned coffee has a style called Arabica coffee, which makes one wonder: what is "Arabica coffee"?

In fact, Arabica is the name of the coffee tree variety (species).

"Arabica" and "Robusta" are two different varieties of coffee, which currently account for the vast majority of coffee beans in the world. There are three main differences between Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee: 1. Differences in planting conditions. two。 The flavor and characteristics are different. 3. The difference between market price and use. Planting condition difference

The planting conditions of "Arabica" coffee are more stringent, requiring higher elevations (more than 2000 meters above sea level), fertile soil fertility, adequate moisture, proper sunshine conditions and shade. "Arabica" coffee species are less resistant to diseases and insect pests and are vulnerable to damage. In addition, the annual output of coffee trees per unit area is also relatively low. At present, Arabica coffee accounts for 75% of the world's coffee production, and of these Arabica coffee production, only 10% of Arabica coffee quality can be classified as "boutique coffee (Specialty coffee)." "Robusta" coffee, commonly known as "sturdy beans," can be grown at low elevations (200 to 800 meters above sea level). It has strong resistance to diseases and insect pests and is not vulnerable to agricultural diseases. the annual output of coffee trees per unit area is relatively high, and it is harvested in large quantities by machine. generally speaking, the cost of production is much lower than that of Arabica coffee.

Different flavors and characteristics

Arabica coffee has a varied and broad potential flavor. Arabica coffee produced in different regions, different elevations and different climates usually has its own characteristics and can show a completely different flavor. "Arabica" coffee smells like grass when it is not roasted. After proper roasting, it shows "fruity" (medium light roasted) and "caramel sweet" (deep roasted). Generally speaking, it has a better aroma and flavor than Robota beans. "Robusta" coffee usually has an ordinary, rigid, and pungent flavor, and because the vast majority of Robusta coffee in the world is planted in low altitude areas (India has planted a small number of high-altitude, high-quality, washed Robusta coffee beans, its price is higher than most Arabica coffee beans) different regions and different climates do not have much difference in flavor, and lack personality. When unbaked, it smells like raw peanuts, and the taste of cheap robusta coffee beans is usually between "wheat tea" (medium\ baked) and "rubber tire" (deep baked). It is difficult to show a fine flavor.

Difference between market price and use

High-quality Arabica coffee requires a complicated process of hand picking, selection and fine processing, so the most expensive and best coffee beans in the world are Arabica coffee. "Robusta" caffeine is low-cost and is usually used to produce instant coffee and canned coffee. A small number of better quality "Robusta" coffee are also used in blending (mixed with Arabica coffee) espresso beans.

There is an important difference in other differences: caffeine content, "Robusta" coffee contains about twice as much caffeine as "Arabica" coffee, which is why drinking some canned coffee is prone to palpitations and insomnia.

After seeing so many differences between Arabica Coffee and Robusta Coffee, we must finally emphasize:

"Arabica coffee" is not the same as "good coffee", "Robusta" is not absolutely cheap coffee!

Arabica coffee accounts for 75% of the world's coffee output, and the quality of Arabica coffee varies greatly, from good to bad. In recent years, a few countries (such as India) have devoted themselves to improving the quality of robusta coffee. They have planted robusta in high altitude areas, given the most careful care, and carefully washed the coffee. As a result, they have got very high-quality robusta coffee beans! Top Robusta beans are not cheap either, getting rid of the old impression that Robusta are cheap beans! Therefore, the quality of coffee beans can no longer be judged by the crude and outdated ancient criterion of "Arabica beans".