Arabica and Robusta: differences in varieties. What's better?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Having tasted a variety of coffee for the first time, in the future, when choosing, we focus on our intuition.

People like different kinds. Someone is closer to a mild taste without a sharp aftertaste, and someone appreciates the tart flavor in them.

At first, almost no one understands coffee varieties. But after trying different types of this drink, many are trying to understand what's what.

The most favorite varieties of coffee are Robusta and Arabica. We will consider their differences in more detail.

They have many subspecies. And they are all different in color, taste, smell.

Types and varieties of coffee

The total number of varieties of coffee trees is about 80 pieces. Among them are undersized and giants.

Grow those that consumers prefer.

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

There is a difference between the words "kind" and "variety" of coffee. It is incorrect to consider Arabica and Robusta varieties. Since it is a species, each one has quite a few subcategories.

Coffee varieties for understanding are obtained by mixing different types of it in certainproportions. Thanks to this, a difference in smell, color and taste is achieved. Breeding scientists tried to bring out the ideal type of coffee in terms of germination and taste. But this, unfortunately, failed. Since the taste was not very good.

Let's describe in more detail the types of Arabica and Robusta coffee. Differences, features of cultivation will be considered further.

Arabica coffee

This is an Arabian coffee tree. Homeland - Ethiopia.

Considered the most common type of coffee.

Growed in many warm countries. 72% of coffee consumed tastes like Arabica.

This species does not like heat, prefers to grow in the shade and with sufficient humidity, feels good at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level.

Trees require good care, as they are extremely capricious. It is necessary to fertilize the land so that they grow normally.

Do not tolerate frost, prefer temperatures +15.

If all the above conditions are met, a good harvest is possible. They bloom with white flowers that are collected in inflorescences.

It takes up to 8.5 months for fruit to ripen. The structure of the fruit is complex, has several shells that reliably protect the grain from damage.

Begin to bear fruit in the third or fourth year. The first few years of fruiting produce the most delicious coffee.

Factors that affect the taste of coffee:

1. Soil acidity.

2. The number of warm days for 1 growing season and proper watering.

3. Tree growth height.

4. Presence of pestsplants.

5. Where do seeds come from for cultivation.

For your information: if all the factors of cultivation coincide, 1 tree produces up to 5 kg of fruits, from which 1 kg of coffee beans is obtained. Types of coffee - Arabica and Robusta. Differences in varieties are manifested in the form of grains, Arabica has a more elongated shape and its larger size. The smell of coffee is subtle, there is sourness in the taste. Caffeine in Arabica is slightly less than in Robusta.

The most common types of coffee are Arabica and Robusta. The flavor differences are quite noticeable. Any kind of Arabica has a sweetish aftertaste and sourness.

Types of Arabica

1. Typica.

2. Bourbon.

3. Katura.

4. Maragojeep.

5. Aramosa.

6. Bali.

7. Shinzan.

This variety contains the following substances: aromatic oils - 19%; caffeine - 1.6%; Proteins, fats, carbohydrates are contained in almost equal proportions. Roasted grains contain vitamin PP.

Where do Arabica varieties grow?

People who love coffee are always wondering where it comes from.

The best Bourbon comes from Brazil.

Bourbon Santos is not cheap. It is made only from beans no older than three years.

Maragogype grows in Maragogype in South America.

Bali Shinzan is quite actively used in Indian countries. This coffee smells like cloves, is sweet like a persimmon, and has a touch of Jamaican pepper.

Teepika grows only in the highlands. There are plantations in Ethiopia and Latin America. The yield of this variety is small, so it is worthit is very expensive.

Katura is a hybrid grown in the foothills of Brazil. Has a citrus flavor.

Venezuelan Caracas has a rich aroma. It is preferred by many consumers.

Indian variety Plantation A has the taste of bitter chocolate. It smells like a set of exotic spices.

Robusta

In Latin it sounds like canephora, a type of Congolese coffee, usually called in common people - robusta, translated into Russian - strong.

The plant is not really whimsical, unlike its fellow arabica.

Sufficiently tolerates minor temperature fluctuations, does not succumb to disease, gives a high yield, grows safely where Arabica cannot survive.

Low price, but only 21% of the total world trade is sold. This is the most important difference between the types of coffee described from each other. Congolese coffee trees grow up to 10 m in height. Some species are shrubs. These trees grow on the plains and in the foothills, but it is easier to cultivate them on the plains.

The flowers have a bright scent.

The fruits ripen a little longer than Arabica, and the yield is higher.

The grains are rounded, collected in pairs, their diameter is 5.6 mm.

Coffee lovers claim that the quality of Robusta beans is slightly worse than that of Arabica. But still, the aroma and taste of coffee is much richer. This property is highly valued in Italian cuisine.

Robusta is usually put in instant coffee.

Species of this variety

Most famoustypes:

1. Ambri. 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. Kuila. Grown in the Congo. Rarely found on sale, but the coffee is excellent. Used in elite varieties. Grains have 9% aromatic oils, caffeine content - 4%. The alkaloid gives a bitter taste. After frying, the bitterness becomes less. Coffee blends with good Robusta grains for making coffee produce a rich, strong crema. Arabica and Robusta beans come in different sizes.

Arabica and Robusta. Differences. Which is better?

So, let's try to briefly describe the differences:

1. Where does Robusta and Arabica grow? The differences in growth are as follows: Arabica was first cultivated in Ethiopia, data on it appeared from the 14th century. Robusta - in Central Africa, isolated as a separate species in the 19th century.

2. The height of the trees of these varieties of coffee also differs. Robusta does not happen above 5.5 m, they land on mountainous terrain. Arabica grows above 12 m. It is grown mainly in flat areas.

3. What is the chemical composition of Robusta and Arabica. Their differences are as follows: Arabica has up to 1.5% alkaloid, Robusta - up to 3.

4. Arabica grains are quite large - up to 8.5 mm, elongated; Robusta have a rounded shape and do not differ in size (small).

5. What are the tastes of Robusta and Arabica. The differences between the species are very noticeable. Gourmets choose Arabica. She has a softpleasant, slightly sour taste. Robusta, on the other hand, is strong and slightly knit. Nevertheless, only she holds the foam loved by many.

6. What share of world production does Robusta and Arabica have? The differences here are quite noticeable. After all, Arabica is the undisputed champion. 70% of coffee produced on our Earth has this taste. But without Robusta, coffee prices would skyrocket.

7. Cost is another difference between species (arabica and robusta). The price difference is quite noticeable. The production of Arabica coffee costs a round sum. It is the most expensive type. Robusta is much cheaper, due to the fact that it is not capricious in care and gives a higher yield.

The cost of coffee also includes its processing. Wet is much more expensive than dry. Arabica is processed using the wet method. The dry method is used for robusta.

Arabica and Robusta. Differences, reviews

People who are well versed in coffee can easily distinguish any beans from each other by color, shape, smell, depending on where the coffee grew. But we should not go into such details, because for the most part we are just lovers of this wonderful drink. We have enough information that the combination of several types of coffee beans in one mixture gives us the unique taste of our favorite drink.

Some people like Robusta more. Others say they are crazy about the taste of Arabica. Therefore, each person has his own preferences, and not only in the choice of coffee.

A few final recommendations

1. Is Robusta worth it at all? You can drink such coffee, if only it is from expensive varieties. Since cheap varieties are not particularly tasty and not useful at all. No matter what anyone says, coffee connoisseurs still claim that they mix Arabica and Robusta just to save money. Since selling coffee is a profitable business, and no one wants to lose money.

2. Is it recommended to mix Arabica and Robusta? If you have tried several types of Arabica and their combination, and you do not like them much, then you can try a mixture of these beans. If you have tried only one type, then it is better to refrain from such experiments for now. Try to start enjoying Arabica and a combination of it. And only then move on to combinations of Arabica and Robusta.

3. In what proportions is it better to combine these two types of grains? Classic: 18% Robusta and 82% Arabica. If somewhere you saw proportions where there is more robusta, you should know that this is an attempt to save money, in which the taste of coffee deteriorates. In addition, 20% Robusta is enough to create a strong foam, which is especially good in an espresso machine.

Small conclusion

Now you know what Arabica and Robusta are. What are the differences, we have already found out. If you are a coffee lover with foam, then you better combine these 2 types of coffee beans with each other. They complement each other very well. Combining them, you can feel the fullness of the taste of real coffee. The main difference between Arabica and Robusta is the price. Types of coffee differ in taste and chemical composition.items.