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Arabica & Robusta
In this comparison, we will explore the differences and similarities between Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee, highlighting their origins, flavors, and how they create a rich coffee taste in your cup. Discover and savor the difference between Nespresso's Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee, hand-selected from the best regions in the world.
What is Arabica Coffee ?
History: where Arabica coffee was discovered?
Arabica coffee (or coffea arabica) is a coffee specie, discovered in the 8th century in Ethiopia, is the most widely consumed type of coffee in the world. According to reports based on historical accounts, the name "Arabica" was given when the coffee traveled from Ethiopia to Arabia.
It was also name ‘’Arabian Jasmin’’ as per its white flowers blossom reminding jasmine. Until the 19th century, it was the only shrub species cultivated to produce coffee beans. Today, it accounts for about 70 % of global coffee production.
Botany: How does Arabica coffee look like and how does it grow?
Today there are more than 200 varieties of Arabica growing on earth. Arabica height of coffee trees can reach 6 to 8 meters. When cherries (the fruit of coffee trees) are processed, the green coffee beans (Name of coffee beans ready to be roasted) have a long shape, and a yellow tone color.
They are a bit bigger and longer than Robusta beans. Arabica are cultivated in high altitude, generally between 800 and 1200 meters above sea level and even higher than that in specific regions.
Arabica is more vulnerable, sensitive and fragile when facing climatic instabilities or industrial pollution impacts. It needs more attention from human hands.
However, being cultivated at high altitude, the coolest temperature, the absence of massive industrial activities and pollution, allow Arabicas to grow in indulgent conditions.
One of the impacts of these conditions is that Arabica contains twice less caffeine than Robusta varieties, caffeine being a molecule that increase when the coffee tree needs to produce defense mechanisms against diverse treats. The cradle of Arabica (Ethiopia) regroups all the good conditions to grow high quality arabica, as well as Brazil for example, being the world’s largest Arabica coffee grower.
Taste: What are the Arabica taste attributes ?
The Arabica coffee is known for finer aromas in general and more specifically for its sweetness, fruitiness, acidity and balance which contribute to create an aromatic and smooth in cup profile, offering nuanced flavors and balanced acidity. Its presents the perfect attributes to create floral, fruity aromatic notes in a coffee blend.
Of course, these being the parameters and potential of the green coffee beans, the final taste of your cup will depend also on crucial steps in the coffee creation such as the coffee roasting, that can create wide ranges of aromatic notes for each type of coffee.
Sustainability: Watch outs - Challenges & opportunities for environmental matters
En if Arabica grow in more indulgent conditions, the entire world is subject to several environmental and sustainable challenges. The global warming being one of the biggest challenges in coffee lands, Arabica plantations are threatened as it needs cool temperature.
Nespresso works hand in the hand with coffee farmers and other multiple actors of the coffee value chain to implement the AAA program for a sustainable coffee quality and transition to regenerative agriculture, to adapt to the climate change, being a treat to the climate needed to grow Arabica.
What is Robusta coffee ?
History: Where Robusta coffee was it discovered?
Robusta coffee originally called Coffea Canephora was discovered in the 19th century during an expedition to the Congo and South Sudan Representing today around 30 of the worldwide production. Robusta coffee is named after its so-called rustic nature as it can grow at lower altitudes and in various climates around the world making it a more resilient and robust coffee species.
Robusta is used in many different coffee blends and has many quality attributes nevertheless its name is less known by coffee consumers, unlike Arabica which is, very often associated with quality.
Botany: How does Robusta coffee it look like and how does it grow?
Today there are more than 50 varieties of robusta growing on earth. Robusta height of coffee trees can reach 10 meters. When cherries (the fruit of coffee trees) are processed, the green coffee beans (Name of coffee beans ready to be roasted) have a round shape, and a yellow-greener tone color. They are a bit smaller and shorter than Arabica beans yet with a rounder shape.
Robusta are cultivated in low altitude, generally between 0 and 800 meters above sea level in specific locations. The cradle of Robusta (Congo) regroups all the good conditions to grow high quality Robusta, but other countries, even Brazil for example, being the world’s largest coffee producing country, also produce Robusta coffee.
Vietnam is today the first producer of Robusta coffee. This robust species is highly resistant to disease and environmental threats such as global warming and industrial activity. As a result, its robustness makes it easier to grow and more resilient to the challenges the coffee industry faces.
For instance, its ability to tolerate higher temperatures offers promising solutions for the future of coffee in the context of global warming. One of the impacts of these conditions is that Robusta contains twice more caffeine than Arabica varieties, caffeine being a molecule that increase when the coffee tree needs to produce defense mechanisms against diverse treats. Robusta being more exposed to challenges, it has therefore more caffeine. However, the final quantity of caffeine in your cup is controlled and adjusted in the coffee development.
Taste: What are the Robusta taste attributes ?
Robusta coffee beans are known for their stronger and more full-bodied taste, with high level of bitterness, and spiciness. Generally, robusta will bring body, bitterness, texture to your blend and-or in cup profile.
The green coffee attributes of Robusta might be perfect to create woody, peppery, spicy note but of course, these being the parameters and potential of the green coffee beans, the final taste of your cup will depend also on crucial steps in the coffee creation such as the coffee roasting that can create wide ranges of aromatic notes for each type of coffee.
Sustainability: Watch outs - Challenges & opportunities for environmental matters
Robusta coffee plants are stronger and adapt more easily to different types of climates. They are also relatively resistant and tolerant to pests, insects and harsh weather conditions. It needs less attention, grows in multiple locations that are hotter and closer of industrial activities and more exposed to heat and climatic challenges,
Considering the current challenges threatening coffee production worldwide. Robusta cultivation presents opportunities for the future, both in terms of sustainability and taste, bringing potential promising avenues to both coffee producers and Nespresso coffee lovers.
Finally, the global warming being one of the biggest challenges in coffee lands, Nespresso works hand in the hand with coffee farmers and other multiple actors of the coffee value chain to implement the AAA program for a sustainable coffee quality and transition to regenerative agriculture, to adapt to the climate change, being a treat to the climate needed to grow Robusta.
Which is the best coffee, Arabica or Robusta?
Arabica and Robusta have two completely different but equally delicious tasting profiles. Each of them has their attributes, that can be used to contribute to the best quality coffee.
Whether its a recipe with milk or a black coffee it's your tastes and preferences that will make your cup perfect.
For a more delicate, fruity, tangy experience with a finer texture, a coffee made with arabica will be perfect.
For a cup experience with more bitterness, character and an thicker texture, then a coffee containing Robusta will be perfect
Each type of coffee has its own exciting flavors and notes, but neither taste "better" than the other. We love to cultivate the complexity of taste and to compliment each of the best worlds when it comes to blend Arabica and Robusta.
One of the keys in the taste signature of Nespresso is what we call the split roasting, aiming, for the same coffee, to divide the blend in two parts to apply two different roasting degree for two distinctives ways to elevate flavours. Sometimes the two split are done separating Arabica and Robusta to roast each of them the perfect way to have the best of their respective taste before blending them and ending in the same capsule.
Which is the best coffee, Arabica or Robusta?
Do you want to explore it?
You will love the encounter of flavours where Robusta are worked to bring strength, texture, and intensity while Arabicas are roasted to provide balance, indulgence, and roundness.
Our Arabica and Robusta Blends Original
Our Arabica and Robusta Blends Vertuo
