Is 100% Arabica coffee a guarantee of quality?

Is 100% Arabica coffee a guarantee of quality? Arabica and Robusta: The most important types of coffee

There are many varieties of coffee plants, but the two most popular are Arabica and Robusta. Each of them has its own history, flavor, and way of growing, which directly affects the quality of your cup of coffee.

Robusta coffee

The Robusta coffee plant grows at low altitudes between 200 and 800 meters in warm, humid climates. For this reason, the plant produces a higher level of caffeine as antibodies to ward off pests and insects, resulting in a very bitter and astringent taste. This high concentration of caffeine, which is a powerful natural antibody, gives the coffee an earthy, bitter and intense taste with a heavy, long-lasting body.

Robusta is a more resilient, faster growing and higher yielding plant. Due to its ease of cultivation and lower cost, it is typically used to produce commercial coffees, instant coffees and supermarket blends where quantity is more important than quality.

Arabica coffee

Arabica coffee is grown at higher altitudes, between 800 and 2,000 m. At higher altitudes, a biological change in the plant occurs in which fruit growth slows down and more complex aromas and flavors can develop, with a fine acidity and floral, fruity or chocolate notes.

Unlike the Robusta plant, the Arabica plant is more delicate, has lower yields and is more susceptible to diseases and pests. It has a lower caffeine content and requires more attention and care, which makes it more expensive to grow. Many brands' packaging proudly states "100% Arabica," but that is no guarantee of the quality of the coffee. Obtaining exceptional coffee requires a meticulous process from cultivation to cup, with meticulous work at every stage to ensure the highest quality in each batch.

The first line of quality control starts with the farmers on the farm, who are trained to pick only red or ripe fruit. This is extremely important, as green or overripe fruit tends to have a bitter and astringent taste. With specialty coffees like Patagonian, the focus is on quality and traceability. This means that each coffee bean is carefully grown, harvested at optimal ripeness and processed in a way that brings out its natural characteristics.