When we hear the word “coffee” we usually just think of the little sachets of powder in the company pantry or whatever concoction we’ve ordered from our favorite barista at the coffee shop. Coffee enthusiasts would be quick to point out that coffee goes beyond whatever’s mixed into the glass at the store, and that the true deciding factor are the types of coffee beans used to make the coffee to begin with.
Now that you have more familiarity with coffee beans as a whole, we can do a deeper dive to better appreciate the “roots” of our favorite coffee drinks!
The Different Types of Coffee Beans
There are two widely known types of coffee beans that go into every cup of joe the world over:
- Arabica coffee beans are often touted as the “fancier” beans, owing to how hard it is to grow them and their sweeter flavor.
- Robusta coffee beans are the Bear Grylls of the coffee world and are known for their stronger and full-bodied flavors.
Both beans have their own growing conditions for maximum yield, but are pretty much grown across the globe from Africa all the way to Southeast Asia.
Arabica Coffee Beans
What is an Arabica Bean?
Arabica Coffee comes from the coffea arabica plant. Originating from Ethiopia, Arabica plants are believed to be the first coffee plants to be cultivated. The arabica plant is hypothesized to be a hybrid of the canephora/robusta (more on this later) and nandi coffee plants after one steamy breeding season.
Where do Arabica Beans Grow?
Arabica plants originally grew in or around Ethiopia, mostly in high elevations. Arabica coffee best grows in tropical climates, which has led to most of Arabica plants being grown in places like Ethiopia, Brazil, Indonesia, etc.
With its plans of world domination in full swing, it’s usually grown in areas that more science-y people would call the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; for us lay people, those are basically places near-ish to the equator.
What Do Arabica Beans Need?
Arabica coffee plants have more particular needs to properly grow. They grow best in high altitudes, but without harsh or direct sunlight as they’re used to growing under the shade of larger plants and trees. In terms of soil, cold and low-ph soil will negatively affect the growth of Arabica plants.
Problems Arabica Beans Face
In line with not really doing well in high temperatures, global warming has a huge impact on coffee Arabica plants. The rise in temperature not only affects the plants directly, but also affects the pests that may harm them and the trees that Arabica plants count on for shade.
Speaking of pests, the coffee cherry borer is recognized as one of the worst things that can happen to a coffee plantation. It’s a small beetle that feeds on coffee cherries, damaging the beans and reducing the overall yield of the plant. In addition to directly feeding on the coffee beans, coffee cherry borers are also vectors for dangerous plant diseases such as black leaf disease and coffee leaf rust.
As with all plants, deforestation is a huge problem. Not only does this affect the soil that’s shared by all the plants, but in the case of sensitive arabica coffee plants, having their big tree friends turned into a cabinet means that they’re more exposed to the sun, and like most people who are used to the cold, the sun is not a welcome guest in their personal space.
The Coffee Drink
The drinks made from the beans of arabica coffee plants are often touted as high-quality and used to have some kind of branding that screams “100% Arabica” on the packaging to increase its appeal. This has been toned down in recent times so that a little robusta can be mixed in, owing to how costly it is to grow and maintain arabica coffee plants.
Arabica-based coffee profiles are often sweeter than those made from other beans, and have a lower caffeine content.
Robusta Coffee Beans
What is a Robusta Bean?
Owing to its name, coffea robusta is the survivalist cousin (or most likely ancestor) of coffea arabica. It’s pretty cool with growing in places that would make arabica plants wish they were never planted. Robusta coffee plants are also more resistant to diseases than their “fancier” sisters.
Where do Robusta Beans Grow?
Robusta coffee plants were first found in the sub-saharan regions of Africa. Nowadays they’re also grown in humid plantations in Asia and Brazil. Unlike Arabica coffee plants, Robusta plants are able to grow in more extreme climates and lower altitudes. Of course they’re happiest when it’s humid and a bit shady, but they’re not ones to complain about less than ideal environments.
What Do Robusta Beans Need?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Robusta coffee plants aren’t as hard to cultivate as their Arabica sisters. Ideally they’d like to be in a humid environment, they love water, lots of water, and warmer climates. To ensure maximum yield, Robusta plants need to be pruned properly. In terms of soil acidity, they’re fine with almost any soil, but their preferred level of acidity would be a ph of around 5 to 7.
Problems Robusta Beans Face
Hardy as they are, Robusta coffee plants aren’t immune to common problems that plants face. Too much sun and too little water would negatively affect the growth of a Robusta coffee plant. In terms of pests and diseases, Robusta coffee plants are more resistant than other plants that may easily succumb to these issues.
Speaking of pests, short stem borers find Robusta shoots and stems to be very appetizing. Having these moths-in-the-making can negatively impact a Robusta coffee plant’s yield.
The Coffee Drink
Robusta-based coffees contain more caffeine than their Arabica counterparts. They’re less sweet and more bitter, possessing what some would call a “full-bodied” or “strong” flavor profile.
Conclusion
No matter your preferences, you can thank the people who work tirelessly to cultivate your Arabica and Robusta beans. Without these amazing plants (and the goats and birds who gave them a taste), who knows how human productivity would have gone. If you’re looking for some top-class coffee beans of your own without the hassle of growing and maintaining a coffee plant, take a look at our fine selection here at Equipoise Coffee.
