John Myers
Contents
show
Arabica or Robusta coffee – coffee fans are often faced with this question in the supermarket. Both varieties are in demand but have differences. We show which coffee is best for which palate.
Arabica or Robusta: difference in coffee beans
- Arabica and Robusta coffee beans are two different types of beans. They differ most clearly in shape and size.
- The Robusta beans are much rounder and smaller than the popular Arabica coffee beans. Because they are larger, more oval, and much flatter. In addition, the incision in Robusta beans is almost completely straight, in Arabica beans it is slightly wavy.
- What you can’t see: the Robusta bean has only 22 chromosomes, and the Arabica bean has 44 chromosomes.
- Therefore, the Robusta plant can quickly reach a height of 10 meters, while the Arabica variety is significantly lower at 5 to 8 meters.
Arabica vs Robusta: Taste, Caffeine Content & More
- Taste: The Arabica bean is the clear favorite among espresso fans. Because the Arabica beans make the espresso particularly aromatic and soft. In addition, it does not taste so bitter but usually has a pleasantly creamy note.
- Caffeine content: The Arabica beans have a lower caffeine content of 1.1 to 1.7 percent. The Robusta bean is better suited for coffee or espresso to wake you up. It contains between 2 and 4.5 percent caffeine.
- Chlorogenic acid: If the espresso hits your stomach quickly, you should pay attention to the chlorogenic acid content. The robusta bean contains significantly less of this.
- Price: Robusta plants are significantly more resilient. Whether frost, tropical conditions, or parasites – the Robusta plant copes with it much more easily than the demanding Arabica variety. Therefore, Arabica beans are usually more expensive. Because of their popularity, however, they are sold much more frequently than robusta beans.
- Tip: These espresso beans have been recognized by Stiftung Warentest
