What separates the arabica coffee bean from robusta in Brazil?

Brazilian coffee brands mostly build on two species: Arabica, called the small-bean type, and Robusta. Arabica originated in the Ethiopian Highlands and is the only original species drinkable on its own. It accounts for more than 80 percent of world coffee area and over 90 percent of total production.

Arabica beans are also called highland beans. They carry a rich aroma, resist bitterness, have moderate oil content, run higher in acidity, and hold about 1 to 1.7 percent caffeine, roughly 30 to 40 percent of what robusta coffee beans contain. The plant is weaker against drought, frost, pests and leaf rust.

Want to know which brand of Brazilian coffee beans is good? This article starts with the flavor and varieties of Front Street Brazilian coffee, systematically sorts out the characteristics, origins, and uses of the two major coffee bean species, Arabica and Robusta, and takes a deep dive into the three major groups in Brazil's instant coffee market as well as the local brands loved by the people of Rio. It also recommends two Rio coffee shops where you can buy fresh coffee beans, and includes a list of affordable brands praised by netizens, providing coffee lovers with a practical guide to buying Brazilian coffee.

Front Street Brazilian Coffee Flavor Description, Varieties, Cultivation, Brands

First, Front Street Brazilian coffee beans mainly cover two major categories: Arabica (café arábica) and Robusta (robusta).

1.

Arabica (café arábica)

Arabica, also commonly known as the small-bean species. Its place of origin is the Ethiopian Highlands. Before the 15th century, the coffee trade was long controlled by Arabs, which is why Europeans called it "Arabian coffee." By the 16th century, coffee spread from the Arab world to Europe and gradually became one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.

With its outstanding flavor and aroma, Arabica is the only original species that can be drunk directly on its own. However, it has weak resistance to drought, frost, and pests and diseases, and is especially susceptible to coffee leaf rust, the greatest threat to coffee, so producing countries are constantly improving its varieties. Its caffeine content is about 1% to 1.7%, so it is also called "mild coffee." As the world's most important cultivated species, Arabica accounts for more than 80% of the world's total coffee area and more than 90% of total production.

Main characteristics: Arabica coffee beans are also called highland beans. Their standout features are a rich aroma; they are not prone to bitterness; they have a moderate coffee oil content; they are relatively high in acidity; and their caffeine content is only 30% to 40% that of Robusta.

Main producing areas: South America (except Argentina and parts of Brazil), Central American countries, Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia, and other places, concentrated in East Africa), Asia (including Yemen, India, and parts of Papua New Guinea). There is also a small amount of Arabica coffee cultivation in China's Yunnan, Hainan, Taiwan, and Fujian regions.

2.

Robusta (café robusta)

Robusta, namely the medium-bean species. Its caffeine content is far higher than that of Arabica, at about 3.2%. Robusta has a unique aroma (called "Robusta flavor," which some people find musty) and bitterness. If it is blended into other coffee at just 2% to 3%, the entire cup will take on the Robusta flavor. For this reason, Robusta coffee beans cannot be drunk as single-origin coffee. Usually, Robusta is used in instant coffee (the coffee liquid extracted from it is about twice that of Arabica), canned coffee, liquid coffee, and other industrial coffee products.

Main producing areas: Robusta mostly grows in lowlands at altitudes of 200 to 600 meters, prefers warm climates, and thrives at temperatures between 24°C and 29°C. It does not require much rainfall. Robusta accounts for 25% to 35% of total coffee bean production. Its main producing countries include Indonesia (one of its washed coffee beans is a hybrid of Robusta and Arabica and is also the only coffee bean of this type on the Chinese market that can be drunk as a single-origin coffee), Vietnam, and Africa (West African countries centered on Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola). In recent years, Vietnam has incorporated coffee production into national policy and vigorously developed it, while also cultivating a small amount of Arabica coffee beans.

Coffee Basics IV: Types of Coffee Beans

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Several instant coffee brands loved by the people of Brazil (Rio)

The three groups with the largest market share in Brazil's instant coffee market are:

Nestlé

3corações

A local brand, with revenue reaching 2.9 billion reais in 2015, holding 22% of Brazil's roasted and ground coffee market and 30% of the instant coffee market. In March of this year, it acquired Cia Iguaçu. The three major brands Cia Iguaçu, Cruzeiro, and Amigo are giants in southern Brazil's instant coffee market.

JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS (JDE)

It is the parent company of Pilão, Brazil's most popular brand, and is headquartered in the Netherlands. In April of this year, it also acquired the Brazilian coffee company Grupo Seleto, adding the brand café Seleto.

After introducing the three major instant coffee groups, let's take a closer look at the Brazilian instant coffee brands most loved by the people of Rio.

1. Nestlé Néscafe

2. Pimpinela (under the 3corações group, the coffee of the people of Rio, Cafe Carioca)

The above two are the instant coffees most liked by Brazilian friends around me.

Coffee shops + luxury coffee for gifting

For friends who want to drink coffee on-site and buy fresh coffee beans, Xiaosu recommends the two best coffee shops in Rio. These two also sell coffee beans and provide freshly ground service. Whether Brazilian or Chinese, everyone who has been there says they are great.

Confeitaria Colombo

Branch 1 Rua Gonçalves Dias, 32

Branch 2 inside Forte de Copacabana; you have to pay a few reais for a ticket to get in, and it is packed every time

This is the coffee shop most loved by Brazil's old upper class and also a place where literati and writers gather to chat. The second floor of the downtown branch often hosts wedding banquets and is resplendent and golden. Its desserts and coffee are both famous, and it only sells specially selected Arabica coffee, priced at around 20 reais/250g. Of course, if you want to buy a metal tin for gifting, the tin may cost around 30 reais each.

Armazém do Café

This is one of the earliest coffee shops in Rio, especially known for top-grade specially selected Arabica coffee, representing the highest level of Brazilian coffee. If you buy a lot, you can negotiate a 10% discount with the shop, and they will also give you a few free cups of coffee with small desserts for tasting. There are mainly 8 kinds of coffee beans to choose from, priced from 17 to 25 reais/250g. The most expensive is Bahia Premium, which sounds excellent. Their coffee has a slight acidity, and after drinking a small cup, you feel energized all afternoon. In addition, there are various metal tin packaging options, with different patterns and capacities, priced between 35 and 50 reais each. When buying, there are generally three choices: whole beans em grão, coarse ground (for capsule coffee) moída para cápsula, and finely ground (placed on filter paper and brewed directly with hot water) moída para filtro.

Below are the Brazilian coffee brands summarized from netizen comments that appear frequently and are not necessarily expensive, but that Brazilians consider good value for money. Friends who like drinking coffee can buy them all and give them a try. These are Brazilian local brands sold through retail channels and available in supermarkets.

Pilão

A brand under JDE. Founded in 1978, it has a market share of nearly 40% in both São Paulo and Rio (according to its official website). It is a powerhouse among affordable options.

Café do Centro

Café Iguaçu Solúvel Gourmet

Café Pelé

Café do Ponto

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.