Latest news with #Arabica
Time of India
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Robusta vs Arabica: What is the difference between these coffee types?
When it comes to coffee, two names dominate the global scene: Arabica (Coffea arabica) and Robusta (Coffea canephora). These two species account for over 95% of the world's coffee production, and while they may look similar in your cup, their taste, growing conditions, caffeine content, and even health impacts are quite distinct. Understanding the differences between Robusta and Arabica can help you choose the coffee that best suits your preferences and needs. Taste Profile The most noticeable difference between Robusta and Arabica lies in their flavor. Arabica is known for its smooth, mild, and often fruity or floral flavor with a slight acidity. It's considered more refined and is typically used in specialty and high-quality coffee blends. Robusta, on the other hand, has a stronger, harsher taste, often described as earthy, bitter, and even nutty or woody. It has less sugar content than Arabica, which contributes to its more bitter and bold profile—often favored in traditional espresso blends. Caffeine Content Robusta beans have a significantly higher caffeine content, roughly 2.2–2.7%, compared to Arabica, which contains about 1.2–1.5%. This makes Robusta a stronger pick for those seeking a more potent caffeine kick. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She's 75, She's 78 – Their Handmade Jewelry Is 80% Off Craft & Chronicle Read More Undo The high caffeine in Robusta also acts as a natural pesticide, making the plant more resilient to insects and diseases—one reason why it's easier and cheaper to cultivate. Growing Conditions and Climate Arabica is more delicate and grows best at higher altitudes (600–2,000 meters), requiring cooler temperatures, shade, and careful handling. It is susceptible to pests and diseases and sensitive to weather changes. Robusta, by contrast, grows at lower elevations (200–800 meters), can tolerate hotter climates, and is much more disease-resistant and easier to cultivate, especially in tropical regions with high humidity. Appearance of the Beans Arabica beans are larger, oval-shaped, and have a curved crease running down the middle. They generally appear smoother and flatter. Robusta beans are smaller and rounder with a straighter crease, and they tend to be more compact and tougher—an indication of the plant's hardier nature. Price and Availability Because Arabica is more difficult to grow and harvest, it is more expensive and is considered premium. Most gourmet or single-origin coffees use Arabica beans. Robusta is less costly to produce, and is often used in instant coffees, commercial coffee blends, or espresso for its thick crema and strong punch. While Arabica dominates global coffee production (about 60–70%), Robusta plays a vital role in affordability and intensity. How to consume these two different coffee Due to its higher caffeine and chlorogenic acid content, Robusta may offer stronger antioxidant benefits, but its bitterness might not appeal to everyone. Arabica, with its smoother profile, is often easier on the stomach and more palatable without added sugar or cream. Many espresso blends combine both types: Arabica for aroma and smoothness, and Robusta for body, crema, and caffeine strength. Which one to choose? Choosing between Robusta and Arabica depends on your taste preferences, caffeine needs, and how you enjoy your coffee. If you like a smooth, aromatic, and slightly sweet cup, Arabica is your go-to. If you prefer a bold, strong brew with high caffeine, especially in espresso or instant coffee, Robusta is worth considering. Coffee lovers often explore blends of both to enjoy the best of both worlds.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Coffee prices rise again after Trump slaps Brazil with 50% tariffs
Coffee prices are on the rise after President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, sending a shock through global commodities markets and setting off fresh volatility in futures trading. Arabica coffee futures on the Intercontinental Exchange rose to $288.67 per pound, a 0.99% daily gain. The rebound follows a 2.6% rise on Tuesday to $285.60, which was blamed on concerns over dry weather in Brazil's coffee belt. Although prices have declined by around 17% over the past month due to harvest progress and expectations of increased supply, they remain nearly 18% higher than they were a year ago. 4 Coffee prices are on the rise after President Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on imports from Brazil. AP London robusta futures, the global benchmark for the cheaper coffee variety, reached a record high of nearly $5,700 a ton earlier this year, significantly above the historical average of $1,700. Arabica prices similarly spiked last year, rising 70% to $4.20 per pound, driven by poor harvests in Brazil and Vietnam and strong speculative interest. Recently, prices for both arabica and robusta had fallen back slightly on hopes of improved harvests, but that outlook is now clouded by escalating trade tensions. The tariff, set to take effect on Aug. 1, was announced in a letter posted to Trump's Truth Social account, where he accused the Brazilian government of 'attacking free speech' and orchestrating a 'witch-hunt' against longtime ally Jair Bolsonaro, the country's former president. Trump said the tariff was also a response to a 'very unfair trade relationship' with Brazil, despite the United States reporting a $7.4 billion goods trade surplus with the country in 2024, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday that Brazil will respond with reciprocity to Trump's tariff. Lula cited a recently adopted Brazilian law authorizing the government to take proportional countermeasures. 4 Trump accused the Brazilian government of 'attacking free speech' and orchestrating a 'witch-hunt' against longtime ally Jair Bolsonaro, the country's former president. AFP via Getty Images Bolsonaro, Brazil's former president, is facing multiple criminal charges, including plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election and undermine democracy. Prosecutors allege he conspired with aides and military leaders, culminating in the January 2023 riots at government buildings. The tariff announcement immediately jolted coffee markets. Arabica coffee futures trading in New York jumped more than 3.5% on Thursday morning in response. Arabica beans, which are used in higher-end coffee products, are primarily sourced from Brazil. A trader told the Financial Times the letter is 'sending shockwaves across the coffee industry,' adding: 'The US is Brazil's main coffee buyer, so this tariff will certainly hit sentiment.' 'The problem is not to have tariffs between America and Europe,' Giuseppe Lavazza, chair of Lavazza Group, which owns Lavazza coffee, told FT. 4 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday that Brazil will respond with reciprocity to Trump's tariff. AFP via Getty Images 'The problem is to have tariffs between US and Brazil, US and Vietnam, US and all the countries where coffee is produced.' Lavazza said that consumers will have to contend with 'a rise in the cost of coffee in the US.' Lavazza said that while a 10% levy on EU goods was 'fine,' tariffs on coffee-producing nations like Brazil and Vietnam would be more challenging for coffee companies and would inevitably raise prices for American consumers. The sharp reaction in prices reflects the importance of Brazil in global coffee supply chains. Brazil is the world's leading producer of arabica beans. The country's 2025 harvest is currently about 40% complete, down from 52% at this time last year. 4 Arabica coffee futures on the Intercontinental Exchange rose to $288.67 per pound, a 0.99% daily gain. hedgehog94 – Favorable weather and increased supply had previously contributed to price declines, but the new US tariff has reversed that trend in the short term. The volatility is compounded by currency movements. The Brazilian real dropped more than 2% against the US dollar following Trump's announcement, encouraging more export selling from Brazil and placing further downward pressure on prices — at least in the short term. According to analysts, the longer-term impact of the US tariffs is uncertain. While the immediate market reaction has been bullish due to concerns over supply disruptions, the tariffs could eventually curb US demand for Brazilian coffee, leading to a potential correction in prices. The Post has sought comment from the White House.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why your coffee should be getting cheaper soon
The price of coffee could be set to plummet after a period of record high bean prices, it's been revealed. Arabica coffee prices increased by 70 per cent in 2024 and another 20 per cent in the first two months of 2025 to reach a record high of US$4.20 per pound on 10 February, but coffee manufacturer Lavazza says that the rising prices may have 'peaked'. Lavazza says UK consumers are shifting their coffee consumption from cafes to home kitchens in increasing numbers due to the high prices. The Italian coffee giant said the sector had faced 'exceptional volatility', driven by a 'perfect storm' of droughts in Brazil and Vietnam significantly impacting coffee production and ongoing geopolitical disruption increasing transportation costs and delivery times. Between early 2023 and the end of 2024, Arabica prices increased by 190 per cent, while cheaper Robusta beans increased by 263 per cent over the same period. However, Lavazza chairman Giuseppe Lavazza said UK consumers may have seen prices peak following a 20 per cent increase in the cost of beans at the supermarket in 2024. Meanwhile, a flat white at the firm's flagship cafe off Regent Street in central London is holding steady at £4 to take away or £5.50 to have in, reflecting current costs. Mr Lavazza said: 'We think that the market reached a peak at the beginning of this year. 'It is our hope that the price for the consumer has peaked.' High prices have not dented the 'strong trend' of UK consumers turning to beans to make fresh coffee at home, which began when the pandemic closed cafes but has showed no sign of slowing even now. The UK retail coffee market, valued at £1.7 billion, has seen at-home consumption rise by 5.7 per cent on the year to date as consumers shift from cafe to kitchen, Lavazza said. According to its figures, UK households drink 13 million cups of Lavazza coffee each week and use 1.4 million Lavazza capsules, leading to £10 million in sales for the brand's best-selling Qualita Rossa beans over the year to May. Mr Lavazza said its new Tabli home coffee system, which uses coffee tabs that are individually completely free of packaging, will launch in the UK next year. Designed to address concerns over the sustainability of aluminium and plastic packaging, Mr Lavazza described the new system as 'the best Lavazza has designed in history'. 'I call it a small miracle,' he added.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coffee growers in Kodagu step up efforts to tap the international market, eye Australia
In a bid to promote shade-grown coffee cultivated in Kodagu and tap new international market, about 120 growers introduced Arabica and Robusta variety to an Australian delegation, in Madikeri on Tuesday. The 120 growers have established Biota Coorg Farmers Producer Company, and in their ongoing efforts to find global market, hosted a 'Coffee Cup Tasting and Interaction' event to Deputy Consul General of Australia in Bengaluru General Steven Connelly, and others. The office bearers and members of the company presented the taste of their shade-grown Robusta and Arabica coffee, cultivated in their plantations, to the visiting dignitaries that also included Steffi Cherian, Public Diplomacy Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru K.K. Vishwanath, CEO, said although Australia has been a coffee-consuming nation for a long time, it has traditionally imported coffee from other markets. 'Now, they are being introduced directly to Kodagu's unique shade-grown coffee through the Deputy Consul General based in Bengaluru,' he said. This is an attempt to open new market opportunities for Kodagu coffee by establishing connections with Australian coffee businesses, said Mr. Vishwanath. The host company appealed to the Australian delegation to act as a bridge by facilitating contacts with coffee traders in Australia. The local growers also proposed the idea of enabling virtual 'cup tasting' sessions in which they would send coffee samples beforehand and requested assistance in creating a system to promote and market 'Kodagu Coffee' in Australia. and other members of the company expressed confidence that given an opportunity to participate in coffee marketing programmes and exhibitions that are held in Australia, they could leave a lasting impression of Kodagu's coffee. Earlier in the day, the visiting Australian delegation were taken on a tour of Kodagu's coffee estates and apprised of the methods of producing shade-grown coffee.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soaring coffee bean prices may have peaked, says Lavazza
UK consumers are shifting their coffee consumption from cafes to home kitchens in increasing numbers amid 'hopes' that record high bean prices may have peaked, Lavazza has said. The Italian coffee giant said the sector had faced 'exceptional volatility', with Arabica coffee prices increasing by 70% in 2024 and another 20% in the first two months of 2025 to reach a record high of 4.20 US dollars per pound on February 10. Between early 2023 and the end of 2024, Arabica prices increased by 190%, while cheaper Robusta beans increased by 263% over the same period. Lavazza said the price volatility was driven by a 'perfect storm' of droughts in Brazil and Vietnam significantly impacting coffee production and ongoing geopolitical disruption increasing transportation costs and delivery times. However Lavazza chairman Giuseppe Lavazza said UK consumers may have seen prices peak following a 20% increase in the cost of beans at the supermarket last year. Meanwhile, a flat white at the firm's flagship cafe off Regent Street in central London is holding steady at an albeit inflated £4 to take away or £5.50 to have in, reflecting current costs. Mr Lavazza said: 'We think that the market reached a peak at the beginning of this year. 'It is our hope that the price for the consumer has peaked.' High prices have not dented the 'strong trend' of UK consumers turning to beans to make fresh coffee at home, which began when the pandemic closed cafes but has showed no sign of slowing even now. The UK retail coffee market, valued at £1.7 billion, has seen at-home consumption rise by 5.7% on the year to date as consumers shift from cafe to kitchen, Lavazza said. According to its figures, UK households drink 13 million cups of Lavazza coffee each week and use 1.4 million Lavazza capsules, leading to £10 million in sales for the brand's best-selling Qualita Rossa beans over the year to May. Mr Lavazza said its new Tabli home coffee system, which uses coffee tabs that are individually completely free of packaging, will launch in the UK next year. Designed to address concerns over the sustainability of aluminium and plastic packaging, Mr Lavazza described the new system as 'the best Lavazza has designed in history'. 'I call it a small miracle,' he added. Lavazza said UK sales were up 5.4% to £123 million compared with the year before.
