You know the feeling when you take that first satisfying sip from a cup of perfect, hot coffee? That comforting deliciousness comes from more than just an attentive and well-trained barista - it's actually mostly down to the coffee beans used.
Here's the comparison of arabica vs robusta to help you picking up the perfect coffee beans.
Types of Coffee Beans
There are two main types of coffee beans that are found all around the globe. These are Arabica and Robusta Coffee Beans. Okay, so you may have already known this, but there's also a third type known as Liberian coffee that makes up just 3% of the world coffee bean market.
Which one of the three makes the best tasting coffee is down to personal preference, but learning about the differences is a great place to start on your quest to find the best type!
Your coffee's taste, aroma and growing conditions all depend on the type of coffee bean that went into it, so let's get started.
What Coffee Beans Look Like
For now, I'll just focus on Arabica and Robusta, since many people believe these are the best coffee beans - and maybe the only ones worth mentioning! (Guess what - there are actually over 100 species of coffee!)
All coffee beans are similar in some ways. For example, the coffee bean is actually the seed of the coffee plant and can be found inside a red fruit. Here, I'll take a look at how you can tell the difference.
Arabica Coffee Beans
- The coffee bean is fairly flat and long, as though it has been stretched
- The brown bean contains a rough groove - almost like a crack - down the length of it
- Plant height is shorter and plants grow to around 2.5 - 4.5 meters
Robusta Coffee Beans
- The dark-brown beans are more round in shape, rather than oval
- The groove down the middle is more straight and consistent
- Robusta coffee bean plants grow to 4.5 - 6 meters in height
Arabica vs Robusta: The main differences
The Fragrance
Flavour Journal states that it's commonly thought that 75-95% of what we think of as taste, actually comes through the nose. Many coffee drinkers say that the superior beans are Arabica, but could this be down to their scent?
Arabica coffee beans are subtly aromatic. It's sweet, desirable fragrance comes from the flowering of the coffee plant during rainy season in tropical climates. The beans are so sweet, that when unroasted, they can smell like blueberries!
Robusta coffee beans have a more rich and robust scent. They are known for their "earthy" aroma and that undeniable pure "coffee" smell. Before roasting, Robusta coffee beans can smell similar to peanuts!
The Flavor
Everyone wants the right flavored coffee they can get their hands on, so I'd recommend you head out to your local cafe to sample some Arabica and Robusta blends. The flavor of your coffee depends on factors like soil, altitude and climate.
Arabica coffee beans produce a mix of subtle, varied flavors. They are full of natural sugars which lead to a soft, sweet and often-chocolaty taste. Once sipped, you'll notice an aftertaste of caramel and a slight hint of bitterness. Arabica beans have twice the concentration of sugar than Robusta. Although The Atlantic says that Arabica is the favorite and comprises around 75-80% of global production, the taste can be too floral for some.
Robusta coffee beans have a much higher caffeine content and this can lead to bitter-tasting coffee, that is a little comparable to burnt rubber. Yum! With its grain-like, strong overtone and deep flavor, Robusta is a popular choice for espresso.
The Benefits
We all know the benefits of a cup of coffee. It gets us through a long day at work, or it can be that final push we need to finish an assignment. Good coffee beans out there give us the flavor and the energy that we need, but what are the other benefits?
It's the most common coffee in the world for a good reason, and Arabica gives us lots of nutritional benefits. The beans contain antioxidants. This could lead to anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Not only that, but the plant compounds found in the beans have been known to help to destruct abnormal cells. The result could mean a lower cancer risk.
Since it has the quality of twice as much caffeine and contains antioxidant CGA, Robusta coffee beans can be ground to make a great body scrub! The coffee can be used as an exfoliate that can help to nourish and protect the skin.
The Origin
The main differences in our two favourite coffee beans are largely down to where on the planet they can be found. Like all living things, coffee plants will only thrive in suitable climates and that's how our most desired coffee comes to end up on our tables.
Arabica coffee beans are mostly grown in Latin America. It generally grows on steep terrain, and this means that hand-picking is essential. As a result, there is a better quality of selection. It's smaller amount of caffeine makes it less tolerant to bad climate conditions like frost, so it can be much more difficult to grow.
You'll find Robusta coffee beans growing in the Eastern Hemisphere, particularly in places like Africa and Indonesia. The plants yield a higher amount of beans, which is why Robusta can be sold more cheaply than its competitor.
How to choose the best coffee beans in the world
Like I said, choose your favorite type of coffee by sampling the many beans available!
An interesting survey was conducted by Black Market Roasters to discover the best place to buy coffee beans. They found that 56% of respondents bought their coffee beans from a local cafe, followed by online and then at the supermarket!
Like most food and beverages, when it comes to coffee beans, the fresher the better! You should consume coffee beans within three weeks of roasting. The problem is, most supermarkets and delis don't display their roasting date. Instead, try buying from your local roaster or a trusted online source. This will keep your coffee tasting vibrant, not stale and flat.
The bottom line
Since coffee began to be sold in 1900's, it has been a widely-enjoyed beverage. Whether you prefer to order a latte, an espresso or a long black, the result always depends on whether the high quality coffee beans have been brewed for your drink.
This is why it's so important to know about coffee beans. Why compromise on flavor, aromas and health benefits for that all-important get-up-and-go drink?
