We have discussed the origin of coffee from the African region which then spread to Indonesia in the previous article. This time we will discuss more about one of the famous types of coffee beans, namely the ins and outs of Robusta coffee.
Are you a fan of coffee? Of the many different flavors of coffee found in coffee shops, usually all can be divided into two types of coffee, namely Robusta and Arabica. Although both are in high demand, it turns out that Robusta and Arabica have many differences, what are the differences? Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of Robusta coffee below!
The ins and outs of Robusta coffee beans
Robusta was discovered growing in central and western Africa, specifically in the wilds of the Congo in the early 1800s. A native Robusta bean plant that grows in the tropical forests of Uganda around Lake Victoria that has been named coffea canephora.
Native to central and western Africa, Robusta coffee beans are the second most popular type of coffee worldwide and account for about 40 percent of all coffee production in the world. Robusta coffee beans come from the coffea canephora plant which produces white flowers like jasmine flowers and also dark red coffee fruits inside.
Robusta was discovered a hundred years after Arabica beans, which makes it the youngest coffee bean in the world. Robusta beans are usually smaller, thicker and rounder than Arabica beans. Robusta beans are also darker in color when ripe. The leaves of Robusta bean plants are larger than those of Arabica bean plants.
Robusta seed planting
Robusta bean plants are grown exclusively in the Eastern hemisphere, mainly in Africa and Indonesia. The plant with the Latin name coffea canephora is commonly grown in the lowlands at an altitude of around 600 meters. In the wild, Robusta can grow up to about ten meters.
Unlike Arabica beans, Robusta beans are much easier to grow. This is because Robusta beans are not susceptible or sensitive to pests and changing weather conditions. This is also part of the reason why Robusta beans are usually cheaper than Arabica beans.
Because Robusta is immune to disease, it can be grown at lower altitudes and does not require much water to maintain. In addition, Robusta bean plants are able to set fruit faster and produce more harvest per tree. Since it still requires a sub-tropical climate, countries that have stable rainfall and humidity are important factors for growing Robusta bean plants.
As such, Robusta may be the key to sustainable coffee production in the future as it can develop more easily and quickly with more resistance to pests compared to the development of Arabica beans which can take up to years.
One of the advantages of using Robusta coffee beans is that costs tend to be lower than Arabica. For farmers and producers, Robusta coffee requires fewer chemicals and pesticides, and can be produced in warmer climates due to its natural resilience as a crop.
Robusta bean flavor
Coffee produced by Robusta beans tends to have a stronger and thicker, even bitter taste with woody and rubber-like flavor characteristics. The flavor produced from the Robusta beans themselves also depends on the location where the Robusta beans are planted.
Robusta beans have twice the caffeine of Arabica beans, which causes Robusta coffee to contain more bitterness. Robusta is also preferred by Espresso fans because it can produce crema or crema. That is why most Italians often add Robusta to their Italian roast mix.
Almost all instant coffee brands contain Robusta beans because they tend to be cheap. It is generally characterized by a taste similar to peanuts as well as butter. Robusta beans are often blended with Arabica coffee to give a more complex flavor.
Although often associated with instant ground coffee, Robusta coffee can also be enjoyed in the same way as Arabica coffee using certain brewing methods. Some of the higher qualityFine Robusta varieties are more expensive as they producedeep flavors and creaminess that are great for making Espresso.
Robusta is better at producing crema than Arabica, partly due to its higher vegetable oil content. Most Espresso enthusiasts like a soft and smooth texture in their coffee, and adding Robusta in the Espresso blend makes it easier to achieve crema.
Caffeine in Robusta beans
Compared to Arabica beans, Robusta beans contain more caffeine. The high caffeine content is the reason why it tastes more bitter. Robusta beans contain about 2.2 – 2.7 percent caffeine, twice as much as Arabica beans.
Read also: Arabica Coffee, the World’s Favorite
Conclusion
Each type of coffee has its own uniqueness, including Robusta coffee. Despite having the highest caffeine content and bitter taste than other types of coffee, Robusta coffee bean production remains the highest because the maintenance and harvesting is quite easy and fast which makes the price more affordable.
JIf you are a coffee producer from various regions, do not hesitate to open a shop on the KopiKita platform, so that coffee lovers from all over Indonesia can taste your coffee production. Apply for a business to the KopiKita platformnow by filling out the following form .
Are you a coffee lover? It’s time to visit the KopiKita platform to find coffee from various regions in Indonesia at the best price!
