Knowing the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee
You may think of coffee as just an everyday drink that you enjoy. If you are not a coffee expert then you may be surprised to learn that there are several different coffee beans in existence with most blends consisting of the main two, Arabica and Robusta. Now that you know about the existence of different coffee beans you may be wondering what is the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?
There are actually several differences between these two types of coffee. We are going to take a look at some of the most common of them. Hopefully, we can help you understand a little more about the coffee you drink.
The taste difference
One of the biggest differences between Arabica and Robusta coffee is the taste. If you drink coffee that is made with a blend of Arabica beans it tends to taste fairly sweet and it has overtones of fruit. This is why many people prefer the taste of Arabica coffee. Coffee produced using a blend of Robusta beans has a harsher taste. This type of coffee is the type that you will usually find in less expensive supermarket brands. It’s far stronger and bitterer to taste than Arabica coffee.
What about the caffeine?
If you drink coffee then you may find it important to know about the caffeine content. This content is far higher in Robusta coffee than it is in Arabica coffee. As you may know, a high level of caffeine intake is not healthy so you may want to consider this information when you are deciding what type of coffee to drink.
Where are they grown?
There are some coffee growing countries where both Robusta and Arabica beans are grown, such as Brazil and India. However, more generally you will find that Robusta beans are commonly grown in Africa and Indonesia whereas Arabica beans are predominantly grown in South America. Interestingly, Robusta beans are far easier to grow. They are less susceptible to problems caused by adverse weather conditions or pests. They also produce a higher yield at a faster pace.
A higher cost for Arabica
As you can possibly imagine, Arabica coffee is usually more expensive to purchase. The beans are harder to grow so it makes sense that the coffee itself is more difficult to produce. This contributes to the higher sales price.
As you can see, there are several differences between Robusta coffee and Arabica coffee. Overall, Arabica tends to be the preferred flavour with many but Robusta coffee tends to be more common and affordable. It’s also worth noting that some people find the taste of Arabica coffee a little too sweet, whereas the harshness of Robusta beans can sometimes make a positive addition to a blend.
When it comes to taste preference between the two types of coffee the choice is down to personal preference. There is something to be said for both flavour sensations but do not forget that Robusta coffee has much higher caffeine content.