Arabica and Robusta are two species of coffee that are grown on an industrial scale. In addition to them, there are others, but their volume of total coffee in the world does not exceed two percent. Arabica and Robusta look different, grow at different heights, and have great contrast in taste and price. Let's find more differences between them.
Arabica VS Robusta
- Origin: The motherland of Arabica is Ethiopia. We also call it the Arabian coffee tree as it began its journey worldwide from the Arabian Peninsula in the 12th century. Robusta was first discovered in the Congo in the 18th century.
- Climate: Arabica grows at the height of 900-2300 meters above sea level. Robusta feels at home on the plains.
- Plants: Arabica harvested from a tree. Robusta is a shrub.
- Grains: Robusta is shaped round, Arabica is more oval and more prominent in size.
- Taste: Arabica is rich in lipids and sugars, which make the flavor intense and acidic. In a particular variety of Arabica from a specific region, you can feel sweet berries, nuts, flowers. A pronounced bitterness of your morning coffee indicates you drink Robusta.
- Caffeine: Robusta contains twice much caffeine as Arabica.
- Production: More than 75% of world coffee production is on Arabica, 20% go for Robusta.
Form of Grains
Grains of Arabica are large, oval-shaped, characterized by a dense, fleshy structure. Arabica is first preceded with humid treatment, fermented, dried, and sent to factories.
Robusta has small round-shaped grains. This type of coffee does not require pre-treatment. It is immediately transported to heat.
Chemical Composition & Taste
The main difference between Arabica and Robusta, which is essential for coffee lovers, is the taste, aroma, and stimulating effect of the final drink.
Arabica
Essential oils, found in large quantities in Arabica, are responsible for coffee’s bright, unique aroma. Most coffee lovers call this drink the most delicious and noble of all in the world. They go crazy for their citrus notes, bright chocolate taste, and slight sourness.
Robusta
Robusta contains more caffeine and fewer lipids and sugars. This makes Robusta a good energy source, but caffeine also gives coffee bitterness and a heavy aroma. The taste of Robusta is tart and flat. It is simply impossible to achieve shades from it, as in Arabica.
Arabica & Robusta: Which One To Choose?
Despite the high cost, Arabica still wins in taste and demand. Sales volumes confirm this. Even coffee experts, who claim that each of these coffee sorts is good on its own, can’t change the situation.
However, do not rush to abandon one sort in favor of another. A more reasonable decision is to buy a mixture of these sorts in the desired proportions. They perfectly complement each other's taste, where strength and bitterness are perfectly combined with softness, tenderness, and slight sourness. All popular coffee brands everywhere in the world carry out this unique blend. This has a positive effect on taste and the price of the final product for the average consumer.