Robusta beans

The trend is towards Robusta

The Robusta variety, often unfairly maligned, is the second most important coffee variety after Arabica, with a global market share of approximately 30 percent. The Robusta is cultivated by the Coffea canephora The beans originating from this region possess some unique and underestimated qualities that have recently been increasingly recognized and appreciated by traditional roasters.

What do Robusta beans look like?

Robusta beans are small, roundish, and have a straight cut.

The plants (Coffea canephoraRobusta plants are now widespread throughout the tropics and are considered the ancestor of the more popular Arabica plants. Unlike Arabica, Robusta tolerates significantly more rainfall, grows almost one and a half times as tall (up to 10 meters) without human intervention, and copes with greater temperature fluctuations.

Thanks to its high resistance to parasites and coffee rust, as well as shorter ripening times, Robusta is easy and inexpensive to grow. These characteristics make the variety particularly attractive for lower-lying areas where Arabica does not thrive. Harvesting and transport in lowland areas are also easier and less expensive.

Within six months, a mostly red coffee cherry ripens, from which the ripe beans are extracted.

What do Robusta beans taste like?

Describing the taste of Robusta in general terms is difficult, as the variety is very diverse. It is generally characterized by a fuller body with spicy notes reminiscent of wood and earth. Whiskey-like aromas often appear as well, providing interesting variations.

With its slightly higher acidity and more bitter notes, Robusta isn't always the lightest coffee, but thanks to its high caffeine content of up to 5%, it really wakes you up. Its longer-lasting crema also makes Robusta particularly popular for espresso. Small amounts of Robusta in blends round out the flavor and enhance many high-quality coffees.

Is it worth trying Robusta beans?

The same applies to Robusta: trying is better than studying. Those who delve a little into the subject can discover high-quality blends. For those who enjoy experimenting, a 100% Robusta blend can also be exciting.

Anyone who has ever tasted pure Robusta will be able to distinguish it from any Arabica-Robusta blend, and many a coffee lover will be pleasantly surprised by the sometimes excellent Robusta espresso with its thick crema, which even holds sugar in place, and which can fascinate with unique whiskey, caramel, and wood aromas. It's especially recommended in a cappuccino!