Coffee is a staple in many homes across the world, and it’s no wonder why: coffee lovers have come to appreciate its unique flavor and aroma. But what exactly causes these differences? Why does one cup of coffee taste so much better than another? The answer lies within the beans themselves! Arabica coffee beans are known as “the gold standard” when it comes to coffee beans because they produce a sweeter, cleaner cup of joe with hints of fruit, chocolate or floral notes when compared to robusta coffees which are often more bitter, acidic and higher in caffeine content; making them perfect for brewed coffees and espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes that require a bit more kick.
Arabica coffee is the“gold standard”
Arabica beans are the “gold standard” of coffee beans. They are more flavorful, have a higher caffeine content and take longer to grow and harvest than robusta beans.
Because of these factors, Arabica beans are more expensive than Robusta beans. However, they taste better and deliver a much better cup of coffee than their counterparts.
Robusta – More caffeine, but at a price
Robusta coffee beans are more bitter, acidic, and have a higher caffeine content which gives them a more robust taste. They also contain twice the amount of Robusta coffee beans are more bitter, acidic, and have a higher caffeine content which gives them a more robust taste. They also contain twice the amount of caffeine found in Arabica beans (about 2 to 3 times as much).
Because of their higher caffeine content, robusta beans are often used in brewed coffees and espresso-based drinks that require a bit more “kick” like cappuccinos and lattes. It’s important to note that on the whole, robusta varieties aren’t necessarily any stronger than Arabica varieties—it’s just that they have a different chemical makeup.
Robusta coffee requires less care to grow
Robusta coffee is cheaper to produce than arabica because it grows at a lower altitude and requires less care.
Robusta is easier to grow, because it can grow in more tropical climates and doesn’t have the same altitude requirements as arabica. The lower altitudes robusta thrives in also means that they don’t need as much space as Arabica trees do, meaning that more land can be devoted to growing them. Robusta trees are also taller than Arabica trees, which makes harvesting easier since you don’t need to climb up into the canopy of the tree like with Arabicas (or use ladders).
Arabica coffee requires more specific conditions
Arabica trees are grown at higher altitudes that offer cooler air temperatures, moist soil, and shade from the sun; making them more difficult to grow than robusta trees. Robusta trees typically grow in areas with lower altitudes and therefore receive more sunlight. Arabica plants are also shade tolerant so you can plant your coffee under a tree that provides the perfect amount of protection from harsh rays of the sun.
The growth conditions for both types of coffee depend on how much rain each region receives throughout the year. Arabica seeds are planted in high-altitude regions with milder, cooler temperatures and long periods of sunlight exposure. Robusta seeds, however, grow best at low altitudes and require warmer temperatures.
Arabica coffee has more complex flavor notes
As you may have guessed, cost is a factor when choosing your coffee beans. Arabica is always going to be more expensive than Robusta, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the extra money.
Arabica produces a sweeter, cleaner cup of coffee with hints of fruit, chocolate and/or floral notes when compared to the more robust taste of robusta coffees. In general terms, Arabica coffees are preferred by most consumers because they are often described as having less acidity (more on this later). They also tend to have a higher caffeine content than Robusta beans which can make them more bitter if not prepared properly.
If you want better tasting coffee, buy arabica beans.
If you’re looking for a better tasting coffee, buy arabica beans.
While robusta beans have a higher caffeine content, they also have a more bitter and harsher taste than arabica. Arabica has a smoother flavor and is significantly more expensive than robusta because it’s grown at higher altitudes where the climate is better suited for its growth.
While there are some benefits to drinking robusta coffee, it’s clear that arabica beans make a better tasting cup of coffee., which is why Melton Trading Co. sources only arabica beans from our growers. The higher price point is worth it for the superior taste of these beans and also because they are more environmentally friendly than robusta coffees.
