Did you know that coffee is actually part of a family of flowering plants called Rubiaceae? Within this family, you will find over five hundred Genera (the biological group that a family is divided into) and about six thousand species. One of these is the bean we love, coffee (Coffea in scientific terms)! Although botanists regard all seed-bearing plants in the Rubiaceae family as coffee plants, the coffees we drink fall mainly within just two species – Arabica and Canephora, also known as Robusta. This brings us to the difference between Arabica beans vs Robusta beans.

Arabica beans vs Robusta beans

Arabica has two main varieties, Typica and Bourbon. In Canephora, we drink the variety called Robusta. This is why the term Robusta is generally used for this entire variety of coffee. In effect, coffee beans have been divided into two main types – Arabica and Robusta. The main difference, besides being different species of the same plant family, comes down to flavour and characteristics of the actual bean.

ARABICA COFFEE BEANS

Despite containing less caffeine than Robusta, Arabica beans are often considered superior in taste. Arabica tends to have a smoother, sweeter taste, with flavour notes of chocolate and sugar. They often also have hints of fruits or berries. Robusta, on the other hand, has a stronger, harsher and more bitter taste, with grainy or rubbery overtones.

Of the two most common varieties of Arabica coffee beans, Typica was the first variety to be discovered. It is therefore regarded as the original coffee of the New World. It is also a low-yielding variety that is valued for its excellent cup quality.

Bourbon varieties of Arabica, on the other hand, are often prized for their complex, balanced aromas and have spawned many high-quality mutations and subtypes. A few natural mutations of Arabica are known as of Caturra, San Ramon, and Pacas.

There are also a number of Bourbon cultivars that have been propagated to suit the regional climate, environment, and elevation. One of these is the prized Blue Mountain varieties, which only flourish at high altitudes. Other examples include Mundo Novo and Yellow Bourbon.

ROBUSTA (CANEPHORA) COFFEE BEANS

The most common varietal of Coffea Canephora is Robusta, Arabica’s street-smart younger brother. Despite its flavour being considered less refined, Robusta is widely used in espresso blends because it is known to produce a better crema (the creamy layer found on top of an espresso shot) than Arabica. It is hardier, more resistant to disease and produces better yields and more caffeine!

Robusta is a stouter plant, about twice the size of Arabica and it grows well at higher humidity. After flowering, the berries take almost a year to ripen. Robusta is self-sterile, therefore, cross-pollination by wind, bees and other insects are necessary for the plant to reproduce.

Do you have a favourite bean? Let us know what your preference is! We hope you have enjoyed learning more about coffee!

Source: Perkcoffee.co