Coffee connoisseurs worldwide enjoy their preferred cup of java. But did you know the basics of the coffee bean? In this article, let’s talk about the illustrious history of the coffee bean and where the differences lie between the arabica and robusta beans in appearance, flavor profile, and consistency. But before we dive in, let us see some interesting facts about the coffee bean.
Arabica Coffee Wholesale and Robusta Coffee Beans are part of a flowering plant family referred to as Rubiaceae. Within the Rubiaceae family, there exists more than five hundred biological genera and approximately six thousand species. Out of this family, we come across the much-adored coffee or Coffea bean. Botanists consider all seed-bearing flora within the Rubiaceae family as coffee plants, but the coffee we consume falls strictly under two species-Arabica Robusta, sometimes also referred to as Canephora.
Arabica coffee beans versus Robusta coffee beans
Arabica Coffee Wholesale has two different variants: Typica and Bourbon. Within the Canephora family, we only drink the Robusta variant. Effectively, people divide coffee beans into two discerning types-Arabica and Robusta.
In simple terms, the distinguishing differences between the two variants come down to the flavor profile and other attributes of the beans.
But someone who has been consuming coffee for a long time knows that even if the beans are from the same family, they might exude different characteristics from one another. They may vary in grade and taste. The differences occur due to sudden weather changes that affect the growing conditions, untimely picking of the coffee fruit, or a fault in the processing method of the bean. A well-grown coffee bean displays a different set of characteristics compared to another bean grown in a different location.
ARABICA COFFEE BEANS
Although Arabica Coffee Wholesale has less caffeine content than Robusta, they have a superior taste. Arabica has a smoother, sugary flavor with chocolate and sweet overtones. Arabica coffee also has a fruity aftertaste. Robusta beans, on the other hand, have a more robust, bitter, and harsher flavor and have a grainy texture when it comes in contact with the tongue.
The International Coffee Organisation states that nearly sixty percent of the coffee produced worldwide hails from Arabica cultivators. Arabica started its journey in Ethiopia, but cultivators found that the Arabica plant exhibits the best growth on higher grounds. Rich in essence and smell, Rio Minas Wholesale arabica plants bear flowers only after a few years. The fruits of the coffee plant are elliptical in shape, each containing two flat seeds used to make coffee.
Arabica coffee plants can grow up to 5 meters in height, but cultivators prune them to 2 meters for easy access to the fruits. The Arabica has dual chromosomal pairs, which lets it self-pollinate. Self-pollination ensures that the chances of cross-pollination become less likely, keeping the original chocolatey taste and fruity flavor intact.
Arabica Variants
As previously mentioned, Rio Minas Wholesale Arabica Coffee Beans have two variants. Experts claim that the cultivators came across the Typica variant before Bourbon. So we can infer coffee plantations started growing this variant initially, which became the OG coffee bean of the New World Order. But it is crucial to be aware that Arabica is a low-yielding variant.
The Bourbon variant of Arabica has leverage among coffee drinkers for its difficult-to-grasp, complex, subtle aroma and flavor. The balance of taste has given way to many superior-quality mutations and subvariants. A few other naturally occurring Arabica coffee bean mutations are San Ramon, Pacas, and Caturra.
ROBUSTA OR CANEPHORA COFFEE BEANS
The most widely found variant of Coffea Canephora, Robusta, is the hip younger brother of Arabica. Although most people agree that Robusta is less polished, it has found its place in espresso blends. Robusta beans aid in producing a superior crema (the layer of cream floating above the espresso shot) than Arabica. Robusta coffee beans have a higher disease resistance and hence are high-yielding plants. It also has a higher caffeine content that packs a punch!
Robusta Bean Properties
Experts believe that the amped-up caffeine percentage per bean, paired with its high organic antioxidant contents, is a consequence of the shrub’s protective system getting triggered when repelling pests and diseases. Robusta has high levels of chlorogenic group acids, which compromise the flavor and quality of the bean by introducing undesirable chemicals in the java.
The Bottom Line
To summarize, Arabica Coffee Wholesale is about half the size of Robusta but has a richer taste and aroma. Robusta variants can grow at lower elevations, but Arabica requires lower humidity and higher ground. Arabica doesn’t need cross-pollination by air or insects to reproduce, but Robusta cannot self-pollinate. Robusta shrubs flourish in fungus or pest-infested areas where Arabica will have stunted or no growth at all.