By Yash Lakhan
February 25, 2024
Alright, the age-old debate: what distinguishes Arabica from Robusta, and how do they differ? If you've been around coffee, whether as a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, it's likely that you've encountered this question several times. So, here are the key differences that set them apart:
These beans are extracted from the Coffea arabica plant's beans or seeds. It is arguably the most popular kind of coffee bean around the world.
Robusta coffee beans are extracted from the Coffea canephora plant. They are usually used in coffee blends.
Robusta is known for its stronger and bitter flavour, whereas Arabica boasts a smoother flavour profile overall.
Arabica beans have twice the natural sugar as Robusta coffee, giving the beans their smooth and sweet flavour.
Robusta beans have a more circular shape, whereas Arabica beans feature a somewhat oval shape.
Robusta beans contain more caffeine, up to 3.5%. Arabica beans usually contain about 1.7% of caffeine.
Arabica beans are the first choice for coffee drinkers, therefore, Arabica production stands at 60% of the total coffee production in the world.