When we look at the packaging of our favorite coffee, we often see the terms Arabica or Robusta. Percentages are frequently given, and some believe this says a lot about the coffee's quality. What Arabica and Robusta mean, whether the composition influences the quality, and what happens in the taste – we'll explain all this in this week's blog post: Arabica vs. Robusta!
The coffee beans
It's very easy to tell the two coffee beans apart. Even novices can see that Robusta beans are small and roundish and are "divided" by a straight cut. Arabica beans, on the other hand, are larger, flatter, and oval. The cut has a nice curve.
The coffee plant - where the difference begins - Arabica vs Robusta!
The Robusta coffee shrub, as its name suggests, is much more robust to cultivate. It withstands harsher weather conditions and requires little maintenance. Nevertheless, it can grow up to 8 meters tall, a full 3 meters more than the Arabica shrub, which reaches 5 meters. The coffee cherries of the Robusta shrub grow in clusters at the individual leaf scars, whereas the cherries of the Arabica plant are evenly distributed along the branches. Robusta cherries have only half as many chromosomes as Arabica cherries – hence the enormous aromatic diversity of Arabica beans.
The taste
Anyone who drinks coffee to experience its full spectrum of flavors should primarily drink Arabica coffee. These beans produce distinct fruity notes and delicate acidity. Robusta coffee, on the other hand, is often associated with chocolatey and earthy notes. Of course, these two can be blended as desired to create even more flavor experiences. Our signature Bahnstadt Blend , for example, is a balanced mixture of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta. This allows for a perfect combination of low acidity and a full body!
Does Robusta contain more caffeine?
Yes, indeed! Robusta coffee contains more chlorogenic acid than Arabica coffee. Therefore, the caffeine content is twice as high for the same quantity! So, if you like your coffee to be a pick-me-up, you should look for a higher Robusta content when buying. Those who enjoy coffee and espresso as a treat and want to fully indulge in the aromatic diversity should stick with Arabica beans.
And the quality – Arabica vs Robusta?
Many believe that Robusta beans are of lower quality than Arabica beans because they are often sold at lower prices for the same quantity. This is because the Robusta plant is simply cheaper to cultivate. Therefore, it is offered at lower prices for comparable quality. Despite this price advantage, Robusta plants account for "only" 40% of global coffee cultivation. The superior flavor of Arabica beans thus gives it a 60% market share worldwide.
Our conclusion - Arabica vs Robusta!
Arabica and Robusta beans differ significantly in appearance, cultivation, and taste. However, it's important to emphasize that there are no inherent differences in quality. These differences arise from origin, cultivation, harvesting, processing, and roasting methods. As you can see, it's incredibly important to familiarize yourself with this coffee knowledge. Only then can we buy quality coffee and, if interested, educate those around us.
Let us know if you already knew the difference between Arabica and Robusta, or if we were able to show you something new!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Arabica vs Robusta - we'll explain the difference!
When we look at the packaging of our favorite coffee, we often see the terms Arabica or Robusta. Percentages are frequently given, and some believe this says a lot about the coffee's quality. What Arabica and Robusta mean, whether the composition influences the quality, and what happens in the taste – we'll explain all this in this week's blog post: Arabica vs. Robusta!
The coffee beans
It's very easy to tell the two coffee beans apart. Even novices can see that Robusta beans are small and roundish and are "divided" by a straight cut. Arabica beans, on the other hand, are larger, flatter, and oval. The cut has a nice curve.
The coffee plant - where the difference begins - Arabica vs Robusta!
The Robusta coffee shrub, as its name suggests, is much more robust to cultivate. It withstands harsher weather conditions and requires little maintenance. Nevertheless, it can grow up to 8 meters tall, a full 3 meters more than the Arabica shrub, which reaches 5 meters. The coffee cherries of the Robusta shrub grow in clusters at the individual leaf scars, whereas the cherries of the Arabica plant are evenly distributed along the branches. Robusta cherries have only half as many chromosomes as Arabica cherries – hence the enormous aromatic diversity of Arabica beans.
The taste
Anyone who drinks coffee to experience its full spectrum of flavors should primarily drink Arabica coffee. These beans produce distinct fruity notes and delicate acidity. Robusta coffee, on the other hand, is often associated with chocolatey and earthy notes. Of course, these two can be blended as desired to create even more flavor experiences. Our signature Bahnstadt Blend , for example, is a balanced mixture of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta. This allows for a perfect combination of low acidity and a full body!
Does Robusta contain more caffeine?
Yes, indeed! Robusta coffee contains more chlorogenic acid than Arabica coffee. Therefore, the caffeine content is twice as high for the same quantity! So, if you like your coffee to be a pick-me-up, you should look for a higher Robusta content when buying. Those who enjoy coffee and espresso as a treat and want to fully indulge in the aromatic diversity should stick with Arabica beans.
And the quality – Arabica vs Robusta?
Many believe that Robusta beans are of lower quality than Arabica beans because they are often sold at lower prices for the same quantity. This is because the Robusta plant is simply cheaper to cultivate. Therefore, it is offered at lower prices for comparable quality. Despite this price advantage, Robusta plants account for "only" 40% of global coffee cultivation. The superior flavor of Arabica beans thus gives it a 60% market share worldwide.
Our conclusion - Arabica vs Robusta!
Arabica and Robusta beans differ significantly in appearance, cultivation, and taste. However, it's important to emphasize that there are no inherent differences in quality. These differences arise from origin, cultivation, harvesting, processing, and roasting methods. As you can see, it's incredibly important to familiarize yourself with this coffee knowledge. Only then can we buy quality coffee and, if interested, educate those around us.
Let us know if you already knew the difference between Arabica and Robusta, or if we were able to show you something new!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team