Which is Better Arabica vs Robusta? The Differences You Need to Know!

Arabica and Robusta are well-known coffee beans in the world. The culture of drinking coffee seems to have become a tradition in Indonesian society and even globally. Everyone can not be missed from coffee o’clock. Not only because it has a refreshing taste and aroma, drinking coffee has become a lifestyle for young people, adults, and even the elderly.

The trend of drinking coffee today can be used as an opportunity to open a coffee shop business. One of the contemporary types of coffee that is currently in great demand by young people is Robusta and Arabica coffee. Even though they are both the most popular, it turns out that the two types of coffee have quite basic differences. One of them is that Robusta coffee tends to be more bitter than Arabica coffee. In addition, there are still many differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee that probably not everyone knows about.

Arabica Coffee

Arabica Coffee

Don’t be fooled by its name. Arabica is a type of coffee originating from the highlands of Western Ethiopia. Why is it called Arabica? According to one source, this coffee is called arabica because in the 7th century, these coffee beans were brought to a lowland area in Arabia.

Generally, the type of Arabica coffee in Indonesia grows at an altitude of about 1000 – 2000 meters above sea level. Subtropical areas are ideal areas for Arabica coffee to grow and develop, because generally these areas have loose soil (or volcanic soil), evenly distributed rainfall and sufficient sunlight. Unfortunately Arabica coffee is a type of coffee that is not easy to care for. These plants are quite susceptible to coffee pests and diseases.

Arabica coffee beans

The taste of Arabica coffee can be said to be like when we drink ‘wine’. It tastes sweet and light when drink it. A cup of arabica coffee has a rich taste and aromatic that is really tempting. Tasting notes that will appear when enjoying a cup of Arabica coffee are fruity, floral, buttery, chocolate, caramel.

Fun Fact of Arabica Coffee:

  1. Arabica coffee has 2 times lower caffeine content than Robusta coffee.
  2. The sugar content of Arabica coffee is 2 times higher than that of Robusta coffee.
  3. Arabica coffee has a higher acidity level than robusta coffee.
  4. The price of arabica coffee is more expensive than robusta coffee due to more intense plant maintenance until harvest time.
  5. Arabica coffee beans are more oval in shape and slightly larger in size than robusta coffee beans.

Robusta Coffee

In contrast to arabica coffee, robusta coffee comes from West Africa and grows at lower elevations and higher temperatures. Generally, the type of robusta coffee in Indonesia grows at an altitude of about 800-1500 meters above sea level. Robusta coffee plants are much easier to plant and care for, and can even provide higher yields than arabica coffee. The secret of robusta coffee plant resistance lies in its high caffeine and chlorogenic acid content, which function as natural pesticides to protect themselves from pests and diseases. This is also the main reason Robusta coffee prices are lower than Arabica coffee.

Robusta coffee is often described as coffee that has a bitter or sharp taste with a characteristic taste such as wood and rubber. The bitter taste comes from the caffeine content which is higher than Arabica coffee.

Robusta Coffee Beans

Fun fact Robusta Coffee :

  1. Robusta coffee has lower caffeine content than Arabica coffee.
  2. Sugar content in Robusta coffee is much lower than Arabica coffee.
  3. The acidity level of Robusta coffee is lower than Arabica coffee.
  4. The price of Robusta coffee is much cheaper because it is quite easy to care for Robusta coffee plants.
  5. Robusta coffee beans are round in shape and smaller in size than Arabica coffee.

In the end, the coffee brewing session will return to personal taste. If you previously preferred Arabica coffee, there’s nothing wrong with trying Robusta coffee as a comparison and eliminating curiosity. Enjoy your coffee time!

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