It’s possible that right now you’re having a delicious cup of coffee, but … Do you really know what kind of coffee you’re drinking? If your answer is no, we tell you that you are probably drinking an Arabica coffee or a Robusta coffee, and perhaps a mixture of both, since there are only two varieties of coffee in the world.
Do not worry, we did not know it a while ago and that is why we want to share it with you. Today we want to talk about the second most popular coffee: Robusta coffee and what are its differences with Arabica coffee. So, if you were already a coffee lover, be prepared to be even more.

What is Robusta Coffee and where does it come from?

As we have mentioned before, Robusta coffee is the second most popular type of coffee in the world. It is made from the seeds of a plant known as Coffea Canephora, from Central Africa. However, nowadays it is grown mainly in Vietnam.
This plant has two varieties, the first: C. c. robust and the second: C. nganda, which in the end result in this delicious coffee, used as instant coffee or mixtures of espresso … Is not it amazing?
Furthermore, Robusta coffee today accounts for 40% of the world’s coffee production. So it is only surpassed by the Arabica, which produces the remaining percentage.

But … Does it really taste good?

Everything will depend on the taste of the person who consumes it. Robusta coffee beans contain twice as much caffeine and less sugar as arabica coffee, so its flavor is stronger and rougher.
There are those who feel that the Robusta has a bitter taste, similar to that of a grain and many others say that it has a certain resemblance to peanuts, or to an earthy flavor. Then, we have come to the conclusion that the high-quality Robusta tastes much better, similar to a mixture with the Arabica and that the low-quality Robusta can taste burnt rubber.
But … do not be scared, because even in Italy (recognized as the land of Espresso coffee) Robusta has used thanks to its flavor and the quality of its cream. So, if you prefer rougher notes, earthy flavors or, you’re looking for a good cream for your coffee, do not hesitate to try the Robusta coffee.

Everything you need to know about the Robusta plant

In addition to coffee, it is very important that we know the plant that produces it. In the case of Robusta, it is a small plant that is very resistant to high temperatures and much (really a lot of) sun, but also needs a lot of water to grow healthy.
This plant is recognized for growing at low altitudes and for its size, which usually does not exceed ten meters in height. However, when it is planted for commercial uses it is trimmed around five meters to make its collection easier.
This little girl has white flowers, with a sweet smell similar to jasmine and fruits that become increasingly red as they mature. This process can take between six and eight months, but the good news is that … There are two coffee beans inside each of the fruits that mature!

Is it true that Robusta has more caffeine than Arabica?

The truth is that yes, it is completely true. Robusta has practically twice as much caffeine as Arabica coffee.
To be a little more accurate, Robusta grain or seeds have between 2.2% and 2.7% caffeine, while Arabica has between 1.2% and 1.5%. This is the reason why the Robusta plant is less susceptible to insects since insects prefer sweet flavors and Robusta is bitter.
That same bitter taste is what you can appreciate when you prepare a cup of Robusta coffee, which contains almost twice as much caffeine as a cup of Arabica coffee … What a shot of energy!

Where does this plant grow?

Do you remember that a little higher we tell you that the Robusta comes from Africa? However, it is not the only place, it also grows in South America and Central America. Similarly, we show you the top 13 coffee producing countries of Robusta so you have a clearer idea.

1. Vietnam
2. Brazil
3. Indonesia
4. India
5. Uganda
6. Malaysia
7. Ivory Coast
8. Thailand
9. Cameroon
10. Philippines
11. Madagascar
12. Guinea
13. Guatemala

As you may have noticed most of the producing countries are in Africa and Asia.
We also want to tell you about the existence of a rather curious point that we could not pass up, and that even in Arabica coffee we can find something Robusta in the mix (except when it says it is 100% Arabica coffee). This is done mainly to fill the bags and save a little money or so that the Arabica adopt some notes of the Robusta.
In the same way, it is very easy to get confused between both grains … For that reason, we want to show you the 12 differences between these two types of coffee so you can differentiate them wherever you are.

What is the real difference between Robusta coffee and Arabica coffee?

There is not a single difference … There are 12! And we’ll leave them here so you can see for yourself how these two types of coffee differ.

1. The flowers of the Robusta need to be pollinated with pollen from a plant that has a different genetic makeup, while the Arabica pollinates itself.
2. While Arabica takes about 4 years to produce its fruit, Robusta does it faster (around 2 years).
3. Robusta coffee contains twice as much caffeine as Arabica coffee.
4. The Robusta plant can withstand higher temperatures and direct sunlight thanks to its high caffeine content, while Arabica coffee does not.
5. The taste of Robusta coffee is more bitter than Arabica, also due to its high caffeine content and it contains about half the sugar. In turn, their levels of chlorogenic acid are higher.
6. The Robusta plant is capable of producing more coffee per hectare than the one produced by the Arabica.
7. The Robusta, being more resistant, is able to mature faster and produce more, which makes its price lower. In addition, since the flavor is less sought after and used to fill the bags of Arabica, they make the latter more expensive.
8. The grains produced by Robusta are smaller, rounder, thicker and darker than Arabica beans.
9. If we talk about the number of years that each coffee has, the Robusta is younger, since it was discovered 100 years later than the Arabica coffee.
10. The leaves of the Robusta coffee plant are larger than those of the Arabica plant.
11. While the Robusta plant is cultivated more frequently in the eastern hemisphere, Arabica is grown mainly in South America.
12. The Robusta plant has 22 chromosomes, while the Arabica plant has 44 … Did you know?

The 5 best Robusta Coffee brands that you can not miss

If you’re a lover of strong coffee, we have no doubt that you’re dying to taste a cup of Robusta coffee … Or is not it? But not any Robusta coffee, but the best. That is why we leave you the five best brands, so you can encourage them to try them.

1. DeathWishCoffee: While it is true that there are many brands of robusta coffee, Death Wish Coffee is one of the most popular. It is a mixture between Robusta and Arabica from Peru and India. It is known as the strongest coffee in the world in terms of flavor and its level of caffeine. Its Robusta beans are the best, with notes of dark chocolate, toasted almond, and cherry.
2. Valhalla Java: being the second brand of Robusta coffee, Valhalla Java also mixes with Arabica and belongs to the Death Wish Coffee Company. Its grains come from India, Sumatra, Honduras, Peru, and Guatemala. If we compare it with the number 1, its flavor is not as strong and its notes tend towards nuts.
3. Bach Vietnamese coffee, Robusta whole grain: unlike the two previous brands, this is not a mixture, it is 100% Robusta coffee. In general, traditional Vietnamese coffee is toasted with sugar, oil, and salt to give rise to a unique flavor, in this case, it is the grains alone, with nothing to change its flavor. However, it is said that his notes taste like chocolate and that his results in making Espresso are … From another planet!
4. Café Anni: also from Vietnam, but with the difference that it is mixed with Arabica. It is a dark coffee, without additives or chemical products and ideal for lovers of espresso coffee or cold coffee.
5. Urja: emerged from a mixture between gourmet Robusta and Arabica from India. Its walnut notes and velvety finish make it perfect to serve with almost any coffee: espresso, American cappuccino or milk.

These five Robusta coffee brands are, mostly, mixtures with Arabica, so there is no doubt that these two make an exquisite combination. However, if you prefer something softer, the Robusta adapts to all palates since you can add sugar or a little milk and its flavor will remain delicious.

And you … Are you ready to try Robusta coffee?

Now that you’ve got here … Do you dare to try it? We know that yes!
You will notice that this type of coffee, even when it is said to have an earthy flavor, is able to combine with certain foods and delight even the most demanding palates. Do not wait any longer and encourage yourself to be one of them.