Coffee producers in Indonesia are facing a high increase in demand , due to the rise of the coffee shop trend. On average, these coffee shop entrepreneurs request the supply of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. However, many coffee shop visitors prefer Arabica coffee over Robusta coffee. Robusta coffee is known for its bitter taste, and Arabica has a variety of flavors.
This is due to the different compounds contained in each type of coffee. With the fact that there are more fans of Arabica coffee. Can Robusta coffee really not compete with Arabica? Let’s discuss the potential of Robusta coffee in this article!
Arabica vs. Robusta
Historically, Arabica coffee beans are known to be the oldest coffee species discovered, compared to Robusta coffee beans. Arabica coffee beans were discovered in approximately the 12th century in Ethiopia. Robusta coffee beans were first discovered in the 19th century in the Congo. Because they have been around longer, Arabica coffee beans have been known longer than Robusta coffee beans.
Inside the coffee bean, there are many compounds that form aroma and flavor. Each type has different levels. Some of the main compounds commonly found in coffee are caffeine, amino acids, and chlorogenic acid. According to the European Journal of Natural Sciences and Medicine, Arabica coffee contains less of these compounds than Robusta coffee, but Arabica coffee contains more flavor compounds.
If you’re brewing Arabica coffee, that’s when the flavor- and aroma-forming compounds will dissolve from the beans. Not surprisingly, brewed Arabica coffee has a more complex flavor and aroma compared to brewed Robusta coffee beans. Rrobusta coffee is considered to have a more bitter and “rubber-like” flavor, due to its high caffeine content.
The Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) states that Robusta coffee beans are often not the first choice of coffee connoisseurs, as the flavor qualities created are less complex and preferred. Not infrequently, many sell Robusta coffee beans with the quality of coffee beans that are physically not good, even defective. This has led to the perception that the quality of Robusta coffee beans is not good.
Read also: The Ins and Outs of Robusta Coffee, Let’s Explore Together!
Robusta coffee bean potential
However, you know, over time, many coffee farmers and producers have improved the system and process of planting and post-harvesting Robusta coffee beans, resulting in the highest quality Robusta coffee beans. Let’s discuss the potential of Robusta coffee beans that might be able to match Arabica coffee beans!
For iced coffee milk blend
The milk coffee trend in Indonesia still has its fans. Iced coffee milk is considered more practical than other coffee drinks, because it is easy to make, serve and not complicated. Many coffee shops also sell literan milk coffee, so that consumers can have a stock of milk coffee at home. Milk coffee connoisseurs also favor milk coffee using Arabica coffee beans.
Compared to Arabica coffee beans, Robusta coffee beans have a more bitter taste and a “bold” flavor. The flavor possessed by Robusta coffee beans, when combined with Arabica coffee beans, will be suitable to be made into a blend for iced coffee milk. A good milk iced coffee has a bitter taste, just the right amount of sweetness, and a creamy texture. Highly recommended to try!
Can be used for Espresso based preparations
Espresso based drink is generally a coffee drink menu whose basic ingredients use Espresso, then mixed with milk that has been heated. This menu includes Cappuccino, Latte, Piccolo, and so on. Almost all coffee shops use Arabica coffee beans, because the quality and flavor used are very suitable for Espresso-based menus.
Have you ever thought that the Espresso for the Espresso based menu uses Robusta coffee beans? Yup, that bitter Robusta. In the previous paragraphs, it was written that many farmers and producers now produce Robusta coffee beans with a quality that is no less good than Arabica coffee beans.
Robusta coffee beans produce Essspresso with a nice, thick crema. If made into an Espresso-based menu, it will produce a sweet and classic taste. Highly recommended, for those of you who are bored with Espresso based with the same taste. Try Espresso based on Robusta, you might just love it!
Main ingredients for instant coffee
Robusta coffee beans are also often used as the main ingredient of instant coffee. It’s not uncommon for people to think that instant coffee is a mediocre coffee, tending to be unpleasant.
In the past, instant coffee was mass-produced without regard to quality, and no concern for flavor. Unlike today, instant coffee is made with quality and flavor in mind. Many well-known coffee shops produce their own version of instant coffee, because they understand that their customers need coffee that is quick to make.
Robusta coffee beans for Decaf coffee
Dekaf Coffee is coffee that has very little caffeine, through a decaffeination process. Dekaf coffee is perfect for those of you who cannot be exposed to much caffeine found in coffee. Robusta coffee beans are also suitable as Dekaf coffee. Although it has lost its caffeine content, Dekaf Robusta coffee has the same flavor as regular coffee.
Here are some of the potentials of Robusta coffee beans that you can consider consuming. We need to learn more and think critically before labeling Robusta coffee beans inferior. It would be fair to give the same opportunity as the Arabica coffee beans that have always been glorified.
If 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 on the KopiKita platformnow by filling out the 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.k.
