The coffee plant

It belongs to the blush family (Rubiaceae). There are many types of coffee plants, but only a few are suitable for making coffee. The most well-known and best-selling types of coffee in the world are Arabica and Robusta. The coffee bean forms the seed of the coffee tree, with the trees being kept rather small to facilitate harvesting. The fruit of the coffee plant is the coffee cherry, which usually contains two coffee beans. Sometimes the fruit sets wither and only one bean forms, the so-called pearl bean. Coffee goods are mostly grown 30° north and south of the equator. 

Arabica

The Arabica bean has the largest share in the coffee market. It is known in particular for its digestibility and its smooth, fruity taste. Compared to Robusta, the bean contains less caffeine and is more demanding to grow because it needs a balanced climate with mild, constant temperatures. It is the only coffee plant capable of self-pollination and mostly grows at higher altitudes (1000 m to 2500 m).

Robusta / Canephora

The Robusta plant is much more resistant than the Arabica plant, which is due to the higher caffeine content. It tolerates higher temperatures better, grows faster and is more productive than the Arabica plant. Her taste is earthy, nutty and chocolaty; their full body with lots of crema and their strong taste are particularly suitable for espresso blends.