Arabica and Robusta: differences in varieties. What's better?

The first time we tried a sort of coffee, in the future, when choosing, we focus on our intuition.

People like different kinds. Someone is closer to a soft taste without a sharp aftertaste, and someone appreciates the astringent aroma in them.

First, in coffee grades, almost no one understands. But after trying different kinds of this drink, many try to understand what's what.

The most favorite sorts of coffee are robusta and arabica. The differences are discussed in more detail.

They have many subspecies. And they are all different in color, taste, smell.

Kinds and grades of coffee

The total number of coffee tree varieties is about 80 pieces. Among them there are undersized and giants.

Cultivate those that consumers prefer.

Any person chooses himself, what he likes best, according to his taste preferences.

There is a difference between the words "species" and "grade" of coffee. It is not right to consider arabica and robusta as a sort. Since this is a species, each of which has many subcategories.

Sorts of coffee for understanding are obtained by mixing different types of coffee in certain proportions. Due to this, a distinction is made between smell, color and taste. Scientists engaged in breeding, tried to bring the ideal type of coffee for germination and taste. But this, unfortunately, failed. Since the taste was not very good.

Let's describe in more detail types of coffee arabica and robusta. Differences, peculiarities of cultivation, we will consider further.

Arabica

This is an Arabian coffee tree. Homeland - Ethiopia.

It is considered the most common type of coffee.

It is grown in many warm countries. 72% of consumed coffee taste arabica.

Heat does not like this kind, prefers to grow in the shade and with sufficient humidity, it feels good at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level.

The trees require good care, as they are extremely capricious. It is necessary to fertilize the land, so that they grow normally.

They do not tolerate frost, they prefer a temperature of +15.

If all these conditions are met, a good harvest is possible. Blossom white flowers that are collected in the inflorescence.

The maturation of the fruit takes up to 8.5 months. The structure of the fetus is complex, has several shells, which reliably protect the grain from damage.

Fruit-bearing begin on the third-fourth year. The first few years of fruiting produce the most delicious coffee.

Factors affecting the taste of coffee:

1. Acidity of soil.

2. Number of warm days per 1 vegetation and correct watering.

3. The height of the growth of the tree.

4. Presence of plant pests.

5. Where does the seed come from?

For information: if all the factors of cultivation coincide, 1 tree gives up to 5 kg of fruit, from which 1 kg of coffee beans is obtained. Types of coffee - arabica and robusta. Varieties of varieties appear in the form of grains, Arabica has a more elongated shape and a larger size. The smell of coffee is thin, there is a sour taste in taste. Caffeine in arabica is slightly smaller than in robusta.

The most common types of coffee are arabica and robusta. Differences in taste are quite noticeable. Any kind of arabica has a sweetish taste and sourness.

Types of arabica

1. Typical.

2. Bourbon.

3. Katura.

4. Maragogic.

5. Aramos.

6. Bali.

7. Shinzan.

This class contains the following substances: aromatic oil - 19%; Caffeine - 1.6%; Proteins, fats, carbohydrates are almost in the same proportions. In the fried grain appears vitamin PP.

Where do the Arabica species grow?

People who love coffee, always wonder where he comes from.

The best Bourbon grows in Brazil.

Bourbon Santos is a sort of not cheap. It is made only from grains not older than three years.

Variety Maragodzhip grows in Maragozhipe in South America.

Bali Shinzan is widely used in the Indian countries. This coffee has the smell of carnation, sweet as a persimmon, there is a note of Jamaican pepper.

The type grows only in the highlands. There are plantations in Ethiopia and Latin America. The harvest of this variety is small, so it is very expensive.

Katura is a hybrid grown in the foothills of Brazil. Has citrus in taste.

Venezuela Caracas has a rich flavor. It is preferred by many consumers.

The Indian variety Plant A has a taste of bitter chocolate. It smells like a set of exotic spices.

Robusta

In Latin it sounds like a canephora, a kind of Congolese coffee, usually in the common people called Robusta, in translation into Russian - strong.

The plant is not really capricious, unlike its Arabica counterpart.

Sufficiently tolerates slight temperature fluctuations, does not succumb to disease, gives a high yield, safely grows where arabica can not survive.

A low price, but only 21% of the world's commodity turnover is realized. This is the most important difference between the types of coffee described from each other. The trees of Congolese coffee grow to 10 m in height. Some of its species are shrubs. These trees grow in the plains and in the foothills, but on the plains they are easier to cultivate.

Flowers have a bright smell.

Fruits ripen a little longer than arabica, and yields are higher.

The grains are round in shape, assembled in pairs, their diameter is 5.6 mm.

Coffee lovers say that the quality of the robusta grains is slightly worse than that of arabica. But still the aroma and taste of coffee is much more intense. This property is very much appreciated in Italian cuisine.

Robusta is usually put in instant coffee.

Species of this variety

The most famous types are:

1. Ambri. They grow in Angola. The weather here is great for this coffee. The most expensive varieties of robusta are from here.

2. Conilion du Brazil is growing in Brazil. Has a strawberry flavor.

3. Qilu. Grown in the Congo. It is not often found on sale, but coffee is excellent. Used in the composition of elite varieties. Grains have 9% aromatic oils, caffeine content - 4%. The alkaloid gives a bitter aftertaste. After broiling, the bitterness becomes less. Coffee blends with a good grain of Robusta for coffee make a lush, strong foam. Grains of Arabica and Robusta have different sizes.

Arabica and Robusta. Differences. What's better?

So, let's briefly describe the differences:

1. Where does robusta and arabica grow? The differences in growth are as follows: arabica was first cultivated in Ethiopia, data on it appeared from the XIV century. Robusta - in Central Africa, in a separate species is highlighted in the XIX century.

2. The height of trees of these varieties of coffee is also different. Robusta does not happen above 5.5 m, they land on mountainous terrain. Arabica grows above 12 m. It is grown mainly on flat terrain.

3. What is the chemical composition of robusta and arabica. The differences in this are the following: Arabica has up to 1.5% alkaloid, robusta - up to 3.

4. The grains of arabica are rather large - up to 8.5 mm, elongated; Robustes have a rounded shape and do not differ in size (small).

5. What do robusta and arabica taste like? The differences between varieties are very noticeable. Gourmets choose arabica. She has a soft, pleasant, slightly sour taste. Robusta, on the other hand, is strong and knits a little. Nevertheless, she is the only one who loves penka.

6. What share of world production does robusta and arabica have? The differences here are quite noticeable. After all, Arabica is an indisputable champion. 70% of coffee made on our Earth has this taste. But without robusta, coffee prices would soar to very high figures.

7. Cost is another difference between varieties (arabica and robusta). Differences in price are quite noticeable. The release of arabica coffee costs a round sum. It is the most expensive kind. Robusta is much cheaper, due to the fact that the care is not capricious and gives a higher yield.

The cost of coffee is also included in its processing. Wet is much more expensive than dry. Arabica is processed by a moist method. Dry method is used for robusta.

Arabica and Robusta. Differences, reviews

People who are well versed in coffee, easily distinguish any grains from each other in color, shape, smell, depending on where coffee grows. But we do not need to go into such details, because we are mostly just lovers of this fine drink. For us enough information that the combination of several types of coffee beans in one mixture gives us a unique taste of your favorite drink.

Some people like Robusta more. Others claim that they are crazy about the taste of arabica. Therefore, each person has his own preferences, and not only in the choice of coffee.

A few recommendations in the end

1. Is it worth it to use the robusta variety? You can drink this coffee, if only it is from expensive varieties. Since cheap varieties are not particularly tasty and not useful at all. Whatever anyone says, but still connoisseurs of coffee claim that they mix Arabica and Robusta only for economy. Since selling coffee is a lucrative business, and no one wants to lose money.

2. Is it recommended to mix arabica and robusta? If you have tried several types of arabica and their combination, and you do not like them much, then you can try a mixture of these grains. If you have tried only one type, then it is better to refrain from such experiments. Try to start with a taste of Arabica and a combination of it. And only then go to the combinations of arabica and robusta.

3. In what proportions is it better to combine these two types of grains? The classical version: 18% robusta and 82% Arabica. If somewhere you saw proportions where there are more robustas, you know, this is an attempt to save, at which the taste of coffee deteriorates. In addition, 20% robusta is enough to have a strong foam, especially good in the espresso machine.

A small conclusion

Now you know what arabica and robusta are. What are the differences, we already found out. If you are a fan of coffee with foam, then you better combine these 2 types of coffee beans among themselves. They complement each other very well. Combining them, you can feel the fullness of the taste of this coffee. The main difference between arabica and robusta is the price. Types of coffee vary in taste and composition of chemical elements.