True coffee aficionados know the difference. Coffee is part of a family of flowering plants called Rubiaceae, which has over 500 different families and about six thousand different species. So how did just two of them become the cream that rises to the top of mankind’s insatiable quest for the world’s best coffee? Those two species of Rubiaceae are Arabica and Canephora, also known as Robusta. While they are from the same family, the offer different characteristics that discerning coffee drinkers can spot right away. At Roasted Whisk, we actually use a blend of the two to get the best of both worlds, but more on that later.  Now back to the beans themselves…Arabica beans, while containing less caffeine than Robusta, are often considered superior in taste. They have a smoother, sweet flavor, with notes of chocolate and sugar. Some beans have hints of fruits or berries. Robusta is stronger, harsher, and sometimes more bitter.

So, why not just rely on the perennial favorite Arabica?  Think of Robusta as the street-smart version of its more delicate sister Arabica. Despite a flavor that’s slightly less refined, Robusta is widely used in espresso blends because it is known to produce a better crema (the frothy layer found on top of an espresso shot) than Arabica. Robusta, as the name implies, of also hardier, more resistant to disease, and produces better yields.  And one thing we love about Robusta here at Roasted Whisk? It packs more caffeine than Arabica!

Our Cafe Cubano is a delightful mix of Arabica beans with a touch of Robusta, resulting in a traditional style of Cuban roast. (After all, Roasted Whisk is the brainchild of three generations of Cuban-American Latinas).

So why do we blend to two? Simple–flavor. Most grocery store-bought ground and whole bean coffees are the Robusta variety. Why? Because Robusta beans are cheaper than Arabica beans. We have found that by blending the two, you get the best properties of each–sweeter flavor from Arabica and more deep richness from Robusta.  This incredible flavor combination enhances our espresso-infused cookies, brownies, and popcorn, too, for a veritable explosion of flavor.

Now that you know the difference, taste the difference with a fresh cup of Roasted Whisk, available online.