Coffee bags often say 100% arabica or list a robusta blend. What does that mean for the office cup?
Arabica usually gives a milder, more aromatic, brighter coffee, while robusta gives a stronger, more bitter cup with thicker crema. Both 100% arabica coffees and blends with some robusta work well in offices – it depends on whether your team prefers a mild or intense taste.
The key differences
- Taste: arabica is milder and more complex, robusta bitter and earthy.
- Crema: robusta usually produces more.
- Caffeine: robusta generally contains more than arabica.
Blends in the office
Blends combine the aroma of arabica with the strength of robusta. They work well for espresso and milk drinks, which is why they often end up in coffee vending machines (publisher's site).
How to decide
Serve 100% arabica for a few days, then a blend. The team's reaction will tell you more than the description on the bag.
FAQ
Is robusta a worse coffee? No. It is a different species with a different flavor profile, valued in espresso among other uses.
What does 100% arabica mean? That the coffee contains no robusta or other species.