What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta, which is better?

What are Arabica and Robusta

Arabica and Robusta are evergreen coffee trees belonging to the coffee genus of the Rubiaceae family. The trees grow in equatorial climates, mainly in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Arabica was born as a result of a natural crossing of two types of coffee: Eugenioides and Robusta. Yes, Robusta is the parent of Arabica. Details of their relationship, who appeared, how and where, can be found in our articles about Arabica and Robusta, and we will move on to the essence of the article.

Types and varieties of coffee

The total number of varieties of coffee trees is about 80. Among them there are short ones and giants.

The ones that consumers prefer are grown.

Any person chooses for himself what he likes best, in accordance with his taste preferences.

There is a difference between the words “type” and “grade” of coffee. It is incorrect to consider Arabica and Robusta varieties. Since this is a species, each of which has many subcategories.

For understanding, coffee varieties are obtained by mixing different types of coffee in certain proportions. Thanks to this, a difference in smell, color and taste is achieved. Breeding scientists tried to develop the ideal type of coffee based on germination and taste. But this, unfortunately, failed. Because the taste was not very good.

Let's describe in more detail the types of Arabica and Robusta coffee. We'll look at the differences and growing features below.

Basic historical facts

• Place of discovery: The first mentions of Arabica were in Ethiopia, and Robusta in Uganda.
• Places of growth: Arabica is cultivated in America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Oceania. Robusta is mainly cultivated on an industrial scale in Asia and Africa.
• Leader in production: Leader in Arabica production - Brazil, Robusta - Vietnam.
• Share in world production: 70% of the world volume belongs to Arabica, 30% to Robusta.
• Characteristics of the coffee tree
• Tree height: Arabica can grow up to 10 meters, robusta up to 15 meters.
• Growing altitude: Arabica grows from 900 to 2500 meters above sea level, robusta grows lower, from 200 to 900 meters.
• Resistance to parasites and diseases: Arabica is less resistant to diseases, robusta, on the contrary, has high resistance to parasites and diseases.

How and where does coffee grow?

Arabica coffee (A) is the most common, preferred by 72% of the total number of coffee consumers. The Arabian coffee tree, which produces Arabica fruit, is quite demanding in terms of climate and picky about growing conditions. It needs moderate heat, a place protected from direct sunlight, and high humidity.

For successful cultivation, it is necessary to choose an area at an altitude of 700 to 2500 m above sea level. The soil should be fertilized with moderate acidity. Seedlings must be protected from hypothermia; they need a temperature of at least +15 degrees and frost is strictly contraindicated. A fruitful harvest can be achieved in 3-4 years. The coffee tree can reach 12 meters in height.

Robusta (R) was discovered in Central Africa. Its trees are half lower than the previous species and are unpretentious. The plant resists temperature changes and has strong immunity against diseases.

With minimal financial and labor costs, you can get a high yield. The cost of growing robusta is low, so its retail price is low. However, this variety is preferred by only 28% of adherents of the invigorating drink.

Bean price

It is difficult to give a definite answer regarding the price of both varieties. Most often, Arabica costs twice as much as Robusta. The cost depends on the effort spent on growing a particular variety, as well as on the taste of the resulting coffee. Arabica requires more careful care, but at the same time has a higher taste. Robusta usually costs less: it is unpretentious to grow, but its taste is much harsher. However, you should not determine the type of coffee based on its cost: sometimes sellers can price Robusta more expensive than Arabica, since the quality of the crop is much higher. Raw materials and their quality can significantly affect the final cost of coffee.

Varieties

The most popular varieties include the following:

• Bourbon Santos, one of the elite Brazilian varieties. For its production, grains are taken only from the first three years of harvest;
• Maragogyp, which is native to South America;
• Bali Shizan, with an unusual taste that combines cloves, persimmon and Jamaican pepper;
• Typica grows in Latin America and is one of the most expensive varieties. The fact is that it is grown only in the highlands and has a small yield;
• Catura, which is a Brazilian hybrid of very high quality;
• Venezuelan Caracas, attracting with its original smell;
• A plantation considered an Indian variety and characterized by a bitter chocolate taste and aroma that combines a whole bouquet of spices.

Each of these varieties has its own specific characteristics. But, at the same time, they all have a characteristic sweetish taste with a slight sourness.

Characteristics of coffee beans

• Bean shape: Arabica has a more elongated shape, Robusta is more round.
• Caffeine content: Arabica has half the caffeine content, 1-1.5%, than Robusta, 2-3%.
• Content of essential oils: Robusta contains half as much essential oils (8%) as Arabica (18%).
• Sugar content: Robusta contains two times less sugars (5%) than Arabica (8%).

Taste and aroma

These two varieties have completely different taste characteristics. Arabica is considered a softer drink that is practically not bitter. Robusta is much coarser than its counterpart, but in some varieties you can feel other notes of taste.

Sweetness

Sweet notes are, in principle, not characteristic of any type of coffee. Only some varieties may contain such notes: Indian Robusta (you can feel the nutty-chocolate flavor), Yemeni Arabica (chocolate flavor), etc.

Kislinka

The sourness is characteristic of the Arabica variety, since Robusta practically does not carry this shade, with the exception of the Indian version. Wine sourness can be felt in the Mayosor variety, and the berry aftertaste is characteristic of Guatemelian Arabica.

Bitterness

Arabica is practically not bitter - this property is more typical of robusta. This type of coffee is generally harsher in taste. There are small exceptions in this case: in Zambian Arabica you can feel a slight bitterness.

Size and appearance

The appearance of Robusta and Arabica is also very different from each other. However, if you know their main distinguishing features, then determining what exactly is in front of you will not be difficult.

• Arabica has oval-shaped grains, the size of which is about 7-8 mm. After the beans are roasted, they become uniformly brown in color.
• Robusta grains are more rounded and smaller in shape - their size is no more than 6 mm. After roasting, a large number of brown shades appear on the beans, so even after processing it is not difficult to distinguish between these two varieties.

Popular varieties

To put it correctly, Arabica is not a variety of coffee, but a type of coffee plant. Therefore, it is divided into a large number of varieties: Typica, Bali, Bourbon, Katura, Aramosa, Shinzan, etc. Each version of this coffee has its own specific features and aroma. Arabica is a classic type of coffee, which is why there are so many varieties based on it. Robusta does not boast as many varieties: these include Quilu, Ambry and Conillon du Brasil.

Areas and purposes of application

• In espresso coffee blends: Arabica is added for acidity, sweetness and aroma. Robusta for bitterness, density, strength and creams.
• In single-origin coffee: Arabica is suitable for those who like more acidic and aromatic coffee. Robusta is for those who like it stronger and appreciate bitterness in taste.
• In instant coffee: Mostly the cheapest, low quality coffee and Arabica and Robusta are used.
• In flavored coffee: Often the cheapest coffee is used, but sometimes more expensive items are flavored, both Arabica and Robusta.

Types of this variety

The most famous types:

1. Ambry. Grown in Angola. The weather here is perfect for this coffee. The most expensive varieties of Robusta are from here.

2. Conillon du Brasil grows in Brazil. Has a strawberry flavor.

3. Quilu. Grown in Congo. Not often found on sale, but the coffee is excellent. Used in elite varieties. The beans have 9% aromatic oils and 4% caffeine content. The alkaloid gives a bitter taste. After roasting, the bitterness becomes less. Coffee blends with good Robusta beans for coffee produce a lush, strong crema. Arabica and Robusta beans come in different sizes.

Why is it considered that Robusta is worse than Arabica?

Among coffee lovers you can often hear the opinion that Robusta is much worse than Arabica, which means it is almost impossible to drink. In fact, the reasons for this stereotype are several factors:

• Robusta cannot offer such a variety of flavors and varieties, unlike Arabica;
• Huge difference in price: Arabica usually costs twice as much as Robusta;
• Conditions for growing varieties: usually they don’t spend a lot of time and effort on Robusta, so the quality of coffee can be much lower than that of Arabica.

Which is better Arabica or Robusta

Only one person can answer this question, you will find him in the mirror. After all, taste is a very subjective thing, everyone has their own. For one, green apples will be sour, but for another, on the contrary, just right. Therefore, you can only get to the bottom of your truth through trial and error. The only thing is, choose a good supplier, not store-bought coffee, but a company that roasts it itself, knows what’s inside its pack, will tell you about the coffee and help with the choice. It is important.

Summary table of differences between Arabica and Robusta

To summarize our comparison of the two varieties, let’s record all the distinctive features in a table.

Features of use

70% of the total world market is occupied by Arabica, and 30% by Robusta. This difference is explained, among other things, by significant differences in the use of these varieties:

1. Arabica can be sold in its pure form. It is possible to have 100% content of beans of one type, or a combination of beans grown in different countries.
2. The bitter and slightly sour robusta in natural coffee makes the taste of the drink deeper and stronger, and gives a dense foam. Therefore, it is almost never used as a single variety, but is added to all espresso blends. In addition, the cost of these grains is approximately 2 times lower, so they make the product cheaper.
3. Because of its pleasant bitterness, robusta is often used to prepare delicious culinary mixtures. This is another difference between types of coffee.
4. Robusta is used to make instant coffee granules and powder. Unlike the other variety, it has a less pronounced aroma and is cheaper.

In addition, hybrids based on Robusta are being created. Their main difference is improved taste. Those who prefer stronger coffee use such hybrids to prepare their own drink without mixing with other coffee beans.

As a summary, let’s present all the differences between Robusta and Arabica in table format:

It is believed that Arabica is better than Robusta, because it has a richer taste palette, aroma and composition. However, breeders tirelessly conduct experiments and improve varietal qualities. In addition, you need to take into account the differences in taste among all people. So try all sorts of combinations to find your ideal coffee blend.

What to choose: Arabica or Robusta

Selection of Arabica and Robusta. As we said earlier, delicious coffee is different for everyone, but we can only give a couple of recommendations for navigation when choosing your ideal cup:

All the recommendations given below are valid provided that the coffee is not heavily roasted, because if it is, then it doesn’t matter whether it’s Arabica or Robusta, everything will be the same: ashy and very bitter.

If you like more acidic coffee with a bright aroma, then try Arabica. Moreover, Arabica beans are also different; African beans will be more sour than, for example, those from Asia. As a rule, all roasters indicate the characteristics of each variety; look at them, this will help with your choice. Here, for example, is our assortment of Arabica beans.

1. If you like your coffee stronger so that the bitterness dominates the taste, then try Robusta. Robusta is good coffee, it is popular, inexpensive, and those who “throw mud at it” are simply showing vanity. We roast only one variety of this coffee - Uganda Robusta.
2. If you've read both of the previous points and think you need something in between, then take a look at espresso blends. Moreover, choose the one where the ratio of Arabica and Robusta seems optimal to you. We blend seven espresso blends with different percentages, which can satisfy the gastronomic needs of 99% of coffee lovers. At least that's what we think)
3. If you read this article carefully, and not through a diagonal line, then you are more likely to know which coffee to choose.

But if you still have doubts, then write to us, we will help) See you soon.

Where do Arabica species grow?

When trying a new type of coffee, you always want to know where it comes from. Brazil can boast of its Bourbon, or rather Bourbon Santos. The cost of this coffee is higher than the average price, since the fruits used are no more than three years old.

The following variety, distinguished by its large grain size, was named in honor of the American state of Maragogyp. Bali and Shinzan have a sweetish-spicy taste and a spicy aroma of spices, and are popular in India.

The Arabica Typica coffee variety is very exclusive, collected in small quantities and thereby determines its high cost. Katura belongs to an artificially bred crossed species, citrus notes are felt.

Grown in Venezuela, Caracas is prized for its rich aroma and flavor. Indian producers grow spicy varieties with a lot of spices in their taste, Plantation A is a clear confirmation.