ARABICA COFFEE VS ROBUSTA COFFEE - PART 2
2 How to distinguish between Robusta coffee beans and Arabica coffee
2.1 Distinguishing Arabica and Robusta coffee by bean shape
Arabica coffee beans are larger and longer than Robusta coffee. The free part in the middle is S-shaped.
Robusta coffee: Seeds are smaller, oval or round, with only a small straight line in the middle.
2.2 Distinguishing Arabica and Robusta coffee by bean color
⇒ Although Robusta and Arabica beans have the same roasting temperature. However, Robusta beans always have a darker color than Arabica.
⇒ When used to extract espresso, Robusta coffee beans have a low oil content (10-11.5%), which helps to stabilize the crema layer after extraction.
2.3 Distinguishing Arabica and Robusta coffee by the taste of beans
⇒ Arabica coffee is fragrant, rich in taste, sour and less bitter because it contains a lot of sugar. And lipids - compounds that create the flavor of coffee during roasting should be used by Western countries.
In contrast , Robusta coffee is more bitter and less aromatic than Arabica coffee. Because they have a much higher caffeine content in Robusta beans than Arabica. Caffeine and some other acids are ingredients that make up the bitter taste in coffee, so the more caffeine, the more bitter the coffee will be.
2.4 Distinguishing Arabica and Robusta coffee by geographical characteristics
Usually grown at an altitude of 800m or more (above sea level). Places with a cool climate from 15-24 degrees Celsius, with an average rainfall of about 1200-2200mm/year are suitable conditions for growing Arabica coffee.
Places with a temperature of 18 - 36 degrees Celsius, with an altitude of 900m, an average rainfall of about 2200 - 3000 mm/year will be suitable for growing Robusta.
2.5 Distinguishing by biological characteristics
⇒ Arabica coffee trees are suitable for growing in high mountains, with small canopy, oval leaves and high resistance to cold. After only about 3 to 4 years, it can be harvested. For Robusta, it is easy to adapt to the living environment. Robusta is resistant to rust, stem borer... So the yield of Robusta beans is high even though the cost of planting is low.
⇒ From the above comparison characteristics, you can easily distinguish the most popular Robusta and Arabica coffee today. Especially shop owners need to master these basic knowledge before doing business.
3. Comparison of caffeine content in coffee
Arabica coffee beans have a caffeine content of about 1-2%. While this content in Robusta beans is very high: 2.5%. Foreigners are very fond of Arabica coffee beans, especially Western countries.
⇒ In terms of fat and sugar content: Arabica contains more than 60% fat and almost twice as much sugar as Robusta. This factor is the major factor affecting the difference in taste of the two types of coffee.
4. Compare and distinguish the difference in the purchase price of Arabica coffee beans and Robusta coffee
⇒ Because of the different characteristics of almost 100% above, the price of this type of coffee sold in the market is also different. From the selection of soil, planting techniques, care, yield. The way to prepare raw coffee beans and flavor and taste, the price of Arabica coffee is twice the price of Robusta.
