ARABICA VS ROBUSTA COFFEE – 11 KEY DIFFERENCES

Arabica coffee, also known as Tea coffee. Robusta coffee, also known as Vối coffee. These are the two largest coffee varieties in the world today and have completely different characteristics. So what is the difference? How can you distinguish between these two types of coffee? Follow the article below by Vo Hung Coffee.

If you are a coffee lover, besides information about different types of coffee, you should refer to Vo Hung Coffee's comprehensive overview of coffee knowledge. This article provides you with an initial general overview, serving as a foundation for you to understand coffee more deeply.

What is Arabica coffee?

Arabica coffee has the scientific name Coffea Arabica. In Vietnam, this type of coffee is called Tea coffee and it has a low caffeine content of 1-2%. Although it has a low caffeine content, this coffee variety has more flavors than Robusta coffee.

The Arabica variety was discovered quite early in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia. It was spread around the world by the French and Dutch, with the largest growing regions being Brazil and Colombia.

Vietnam also cultivates a significant amount of Arabica coffee. However, the quantity and quality are not highly rated.

What is Robusta coffee?

Robusta coffee has the scientific name Coffea Canephora or Coffea Robusta. In Vietnam, this type of coffee is called Vối coffee, and it has a caffeine content ranging from 2-4%. Due to its high caffeine content, this coffee has a stronger flavor than Arabica beans. It is a popular coffee variety in the domestic Vietnamese market and is suitable for brewing with a phin filter.

After Arabica, Robusta is the second most produced coffee variety in the world. Although it appeared 100 years after Arabica, its ability to grow well in various conditions and its higher yield have led to its widespread cultivation.

In Vietnam, Robusta is very popular, accounting for 90% of the country's total coffee production.

11 Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee Growing Conditions for Arabica and Robusta

Arabica is a low-growing coffee variety. This type of coffee is suitable for highlands from 900 meters above sea level and up, with significant rainfall between 1200-2200mm, and temperatures not too high, ranging from 15-24 degrees Celsius.

In contrast, Robusta has a taller plant stature and superior growth ability compared to Arabica. It can thrive at altitudes from 0-900 meters above sea level. The annual rainfall needed ranges from 2200-3000mm, and the temperature ranges from 18-36 degrees Celsius.

Shape of Coffee Beans

Arabica coffee beans are long and oval-shaped, with a wavy S-shaped crease in the middle.

In contrast, Robusta coffee beans are shorter and smaller, appearing more rounded compared to Arabica. The crease in the middle is relatively straight.

Caffeine Content

The main characteristic of Robusta coffee beans is their bitterness. This comes from their very high caffeine content, up to 2.5% of the total bean weight.

In contrast, Arabica coffee is milder, with only about 1.5% caffeine content.

The other components in the beans of these two types of coffee are also very different. The fat content in Arabica is 60% higher, double that of Robusta coffee beans.

Aroma and Flavor

When tasting, if you have sampled many types of coffee, you can easily distinguish between Arabica and Robusta.

• Arabica coffee, when it enters your mouth, immediately gives you a distinctive sour taste, followed by a mild bitterness that is not too harsh. As the coffee flows down your throat, it leaves a very rich and seductive aroma.
• On the other hand, Robusta coffee does not exhibit the same aroma as Arabica. Instead, once in the mouth, it presents a rather sharp and strong bitterness. However, for some flavor experts, they can detect a hint of fruity aroma in the aftertaste.

Coffee Bean Color After Roasting

In reality, coffee varieties with higher caffeine content tend to have lighter-colored beans after roasting. This is also a way to distinguish between the two types of coffee we are discussing.

Arabica, when roasted to the right degree, will have a fairly deep color, with a very beautiful gloss. In contrast, Robusta beans will be slightly lighter and tend to have a yellowish hue.

Price

Here we are only considering pure average-grade coffee. In this case, there is a significant price difference between Arabica and Robusta. In terms of market prices, Robusta coffee beans are priced at only half the cost of Arabica coffee beans in the commodity market.

Arabica coffee is priced between 230,000 and 260,000 Vietnamese Dong per kilogram. Some special varieties in Vietnam, such as Cau Dat coffee, which is also Arabica, are sold at a price of 450,000 Vietnamese Dong per kilogram.

Robusta coffee, on the other hand, is priced lower, at around 110,000 to 150,000 Vietnamese Dong per kilogram.

Coffee Yield

As analyzed earlier in the article, Arabica coffee, or Tea coffee, is challenging to cultivate due to its poor resistance and stringent geographical and natural conditions required. Therefore, its yield is not high, contributing to its high price.

In contrast, Robusta coffee, or Voi coffee, has excellent growth capabilities. It can adapt to most natural conditions. Actual yields show that Robusta yields are many times higher than Arabica.

Coffee Plant Height

If you have the opportunity to visit coffee cultivation areas directly, you will immediately notice the difference between these two coffee varieties:

• Arabica coffee plants have a relatively short stature, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 meters in height. They have branchy and dense foliage, resembling tea leaves in Vietnam.
• Robusta coffee plants, on the other hand, are taller, reaching heights of around 4.5 to 6 meters. While they may not be as dense as Arabica, they still yield high productivity due to their numerous branches and abundant fruit. The taller stature of Robusta plants also allows them to capture more sunlight and natural water, facilitating better growth.

Growing Regions for Arabica and Robusta

Vietnam, along with some Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, is one of the largest producers of Robusta coffee. Vietnam is the largest exporter of Robusta globally. Additionally, this variety is also found in many countries in Central and West Africa as well as South America.

Arabica coffee, or Tea coffee, is most commonly grown in South American countries, where it accounts for over 60% of the production, primarily in Brazil and Colombia. In fact, Arabica is sometimes referred to as Brazilian Milds and Colombia Milds.

Other countries that cultivate significant amounts of Arabica include India, Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Lipid and Sugar Content in Coffee

Arabica contains a higher lipid content, around 60%, and nearly double the sugar concentration compared to Robusta. This factor likely contributes to why we prefer the flavor of Arabica.

Chlorogenic Acid (CGA)

CGA is a component of coffee known for its antioxidant properties, which help protect the plant from insects and diseases. Robusta coffee contains 7-10% CGA, while Arabica contains 5.5-8% CGA.

Arabica and Robusta are both coffee varieties, but as you know, they have many differences. Depending on individual taste preferences, one may choose a specific type of coffee. However, it's common to blend these two types of coffee together to fully appreciate the deliciousness of coffee.