ROBUSTA COFFEE BEANS
Robusta coffee beans are derived from the word 'robust', which means strong, according to the description of posture (body) or a strong level of thickness. Robusta coffee beans is not a species because these types derived from the species Coffea canephora.Robusta can grow in the lowlands, but the best location to cultivate this plant at an altitude of 400-800 meters above sea level. An optimal temperature for robusta coffee growth ranges from 24-30oC with rainfall 2000-3000 mm per year.
Robusta coffee beans highly suitable to be planted in the wet tropics. With intensive cultivation will begin to bear fruit at the age of 2.5 years. In order to bear fruit properly, this plant requires a dry period of 3-4 months of the year with some rain. Robusta coffee beans usually grown in tropical and subtropical temperate countries does not have the aroma and taste as good as arabica coffee. It's also more bitter and slightly acid, as well as a higher caffeine content. So naturally if this type of coffee valued at a cheaper price.
Just as Arabica, Robusta coffee beans also has many varieties, one of the most famous is Kape Alamid of the Philippines. Soil and climatic environment conditions which to grow will affect its flavor. So do not be surprised if each variety has the aroma and taste different.
Robusta coffee plants require loose soil and rich of organic matter. The 5.5-6.5 level of soil acidity (pH) is ideal for this crop. Robusta coffee recommended growing under another shade of trees.
The leaf is a Rounded shape like an egg with the pointed to blunt ends. Its leaves grow on the trunk, branches, and twigs. On the trunk and branches grow perpendicular to the intermittent arrangement of the leaves. While on the twigs and branches of the pair leaves grow horizontally on the same plane. Robusta is relatively resistant to leaf rust disease.
Robusta coffee beans plants have started flowering at the age of 2 years. Flowers growing in the armpits primary branches. Each armpit there are interest groups 3-4. Flowers usually bloom in early summer. In contrast to arabica, robusta coffee flowers are cross-pollinating.
Younger fruit is green, after ripe turn red. The size of the seeds is large and generally oval. Although it has a full-fledged, robusta coffee cherries securely attached to the stem. Duration of flowering until the fruit is ready for harvest ranges from 10-11 months.
Robusta coffee beans plants have shallow roots. Therefore, it requires fertile soil and rich in organic content. The plant is also quite sensitive to drought.
ROBUSTA COFFEE BEANS CHARACTERISTIC
In the market, Robusta coffee beans are sold at a lower price than the arabica. This causes a disincentive to farmers. So as to save the cost of production of robusta coffee farmers tend to ignore the post-harvest handling. This in turn would make the quality of the resulting coffee is low.
Robusta coffee aroma is not as strong as Arabica, with a viscosity level (body) moderate to severe and bitter flavors. The caffeine content of Robusta coffee more than doubled arabica, which ranges from 1.7 to 4%.
ROBUSTA COFFE BEANS TRADE
Approximately 99% of the world coffee trade is robusta and arabica. Robusta coffee beans produced by the countries of Asia-Pacific and Africa while arabica coffee produced by South American countries. The largest producer of robusta coffee is Vietnam.
There is a paradox in the development of Robusta coffee beans trade. In the 1950s when it was first traded on the London market, the price is relatively the same level with arabica. At that time the proportion of robusta coffee market share of 25-30% and 70-75% arabica.
Things began to change when there is an increase in production of robusta coffee. Currently where Robusta coffee beans market share rose above 30%, the price dropped by almost half under arabica.
