Encyclopedia | Coffeepedia
Do you know the differences between Arabica and Robusta coffee? as a coffee lover you should know this. let’s check the list. 1. The Shape Even though they look the same, the two types of coffee beans have different shapes. Robusta coffee is more round in shape while Arabica coffee beans tend to be slightly oval. At the height of the plant, Robusta coffee can grow up to 4.5 – 6 meters, while Arabica coffee plants only reach 2.5 – 4.5 meters. 2. Plant Growth In terms of plant production capabilities, Robusta coffee is easier to grow. Robusta can grow at lower elevations with higher humidity. This is because this type of coffee plant variety has a stronger immunity to disease and has more production capacity. On the other hand, Arabica coffee varieties are more difficult to grow in the low lands, and tend to be prone to diseases, fungi and other pests . In addition, to plant it, it takes a much longer time to mature and a wider area of land. 3. Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid Levels The caffeine content in Robusta coffee ranges from 2.2 to 2.7%, while the caffeine in Arabica coffee only ranges from 1.1 to 1.5 percent. Robusta coffee also has more chlorogenic acid. The chlorogenic acid in Robusta coffee is produced by a self-pro tection mechanism to repel pests and diseases. The high content of chlorogenic acid can affect the unwanted taste of a cup of coffee. 4. The Quality of Taste and Price Arabica coffee has less caffeine than Robusta. But Arabica coffee is often preferred because it tends to have a sweeter, softer taste, with a sugary taste like berries or grapes. Arabica has the characteristics of coffee with extraordinary acidity. Arabica coffee is more suitable to be served as a single origin coffee so that coffee lovers can enjoy the original taste of Arabica coffee. On the other hand, Robusta coffee has a strong taste and tends to be more bitter. Robusta contains twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. But even though it is bitter, Robusta coffee beans are served in the form of an espresso blend because it produces a better crema than Arabica. The crema is the yellow layer of cream that appears when you first extract the espresso. Regarding the price comparison, Arabica coffee is certainly more expensive than Robusta. This is due to the better taste quality and the difficult and long planting or maintenance process.
