Robusta vs. Arabica Coffee Beans

Coffee drinkers have varying degrees of knowledge when it comes to their coffee beans. Most take it for granted and just purchase their “regular” brand without even knowing what kind of beans it actually contains.

The type of bean and its different aspects can affect quality and taste and bring your coffee to a whole new level. So, it is best to have at least a basic understanding of the different varieties of beans, how they are grown and the flavors that they produce.

All this considered, along with the freshness factor, determine your coffee experience. Gaining further knowledge means that you will be able to choose a higher quality bean that is more tailored to your taste. This will result in a superior cup of coffee with all the aroma and body that your senses can handle.

Green Coffee Beans

Green coffee beans are actually seeds and not “beans”. They grow on plants belonging to the "Rubiaceae" family, and this makes up more than sixty-six species of the genus “Coffea”.

The two most popular species that are purchased by consumers are Coffea Arabica (often referred to as Arabica) and C. canephroa (often referred to as Robusta). Arabica coffee beans account for about two thirds of world production leaving Robusta producing only one third.

Robusta Coffee Beans

Robusta is a high-yielding plant that is resilient in many ways including resisting disease. The plant grows up to about 12 meters tall and thrives in warm, moist climates.

Robusta Taste:

Robusta beans produce a cup of coffee with substantial body and an earthy aroma. The flavor is considered relatively strong and the caffeine content is somewhere between 2.4-2.8% by weight.

Although Robusta coffee is the most popular type to be served in restaurants, it is definitely not the best quality coffee as you may have noticed. Also, most “freeze dried” and instant coffees are made with Robusta coffee beans because they are more economical.

Arabic Coffee Beans

When commercially grown, it is pruned to 1.5 to about 2 meters. So, basically you have half the plant with half the yield. It grows well in a temperate and controlled climate and the Arabica plant also requires more attention and care.

Arabica Taste:

Coffee prepared with Arabica beans is said to have an intense and complex aroma. It has been described as flowery, fruity, a hint of honey, chocolate, caramel or toasted bread. Arabica beans contain a lower caffeine level that doesn’t exceed 1.5% by weight.

What This Means to Coffee Drinkers

It is all about supply and demand. Because of Arabica’s superior taste and lower production yield, it is more expensive to purchase than Robusta beans. People just have to make a choice based on their preferences and budget.

A Happy Medium

So, what do some coffee drinkers do? They mix Arabica and Robusta beans to come up with a nice blend. This delivers a better taste than just Robusta alone and has a little more “kick” in the caffeine department. It can also save a little in the pocketbook.

They Make Hybrid Cars, Why Not Hybrid Arabica?

I know, it's a burning question that most people have asked...why doesn't someone just make a hybrid Arabica plant that produces more and is hardier?

This brings up an interesting fact about Arabica coffee plants. They contain 44 chromosomes. This is unique because Robusta and other species have only 22 chromosomes and this makes it impossible to make a hybrid or cross an Arabica plant with any other variety….at least at this point in science.

Coffee Decisions

Now you are armed with a little information. You will most likely be checking your coffee label and making sure it contains at mostly if not all Arabica coffee beans. The choice is ultimately yours though, but be sure to do taste tests and experiment now that you “Know Your Beans”.