If you're a coffee lover, you must be familiar with Robusta coffee. This type of coffee is often the choice, in addition to Arabica coffee. However, Robusta coffee has unique characteristics that set it apart from other types of coffee. This coffee is one of the best-known and most commonly found coffee varieties, especially in Indonesia.

Facts About Robusta Coffee Bean

1. Name and History

Robusta coffee was first discovered in Congo, Central Africa in the late 19th century. It then spread around the world and became popular in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Vietnam and Brazil. In Indonesia itself, this coffee began to be planted in the early 20th century by the Dutch colonial government. This coffee then developed rapidly in areas such as Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Java.

As for the name, Robusta is taken from the word “robust”, an English term that means strong. As the name implies, drinks extracted from Robusta Coffee beans have a strong flavor and tend to be more bitter than Arabica.

2. Unique Flavour Characteristics

Robusta coffee is known for its strong, bold, and slightly bitter flavor. The flavor is often described as earthy, woody, or nutty, with a lingering aftertaste. Robusta coffee has a more bitter taste than Arabica coffee, this is because Robusta coffee has a lower sugar content and 2.2% higher caffeine than Arabica coffee. This strong flavor makes it a popular choice for espresso blends and instant coffee.

3. Appearance Characteristics

In terms of appearance, Robusta coffee beans are smaller and rounder compared to the more elongated Arabica coffee beans. They also have a straighter crease on one side, which can help identify them during processing.

4.More Produced than Robusta

Another interesting fact is that Robusta coffee is produced more than Arabica coffee in Indonesia. Although Arabica coffee is the most popular, Robusta coffee production can reach 83% of the total coffee products in Indonesia. While the remaining 17% is Arabica production. The percentage proves that the amount of Robusta production is more than 5 times more. Interestingly, almost all Indonesian Robusta coffee is favored by the world.

5. Easier to Plant and Maintain

Compared to Arabica, Robusta coffee tends to be easier to grow because it can grow in lowlands, is resistant to hot weather, and is also resistant to pests and diseases. Robusta coffee is easily found in the lowlands. Usually, this type of coffee thrives at an altitude of 700 to 1200 meters above sea level with a plant height of between 4.5 to 6.5 meters. Not surprisingly, Robusta coffee land in Indonesia is larger than Arabica coffee which can only grow in lower temperatures such as on top of mountains with sufficient water content. This is also what makes Robusta production more abundant.

6. Easier to Process

Besides being easy to grow and maintain, Robusta is also easier to process after picking. The process only needs to be skinned and oven-dried, unlike Arabica coffee which is more sensitive. After picking, Arabica coffee needs to be pulped, fermented, sun-dried, hulled and dried naturally using sunlight, as the use of an oven can change the flavor of the Arabica coffee itself.

7. Has Health Benefits

The higher caffeine content in Robusta beans offers several health benefits. For example, maintaining heart health due to the presence of antioxidants that can help maintain a healthy heart and prevent cardiovascular disease. These antioxidants also help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation. Robusta coffee also contains caffeine which can help improve concentration and energy.

Conclusions

Robusta coffee beans are full of interesting attributes, from their high caffeine content and unique flavor profile to their resilience and health benefits. These interesting facts highlight the importance and versatility of Robusta coffee beans in the coffee world. Whether you are an espresso enthusiast looking for a rich crema or a coffee lover looking to explore bolder flavors, Robusta beans have something special to offer.

At Senjani, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality Robusta coffee beans sourced from the fertile soil of Temanggung, Central Java. Our dedication to excellence ensures that each bean reflects the skill and passion of our farmers. Discover the robust and flavorful experience of Senjani Robusta coffee and enhance your coffee journey with us.

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