Arabica or Robusta?

There are two main types of coffee beans in the world: Arabica and Robusta and lets just say it right off the bat, Arabica is considered higher quality than Robusta for reasons you will learn below. Needless to say, we at Guatemalan Gourmet Growers® bring you our best Arabica beans and we call them Mayan Espresso.

Here’s a brief overview of both Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica: Arabica beans are the most popular type of coffee bean, accounting for around 60% of the world’s coffee production. They are grown in higher altitudes, which is the case of your Mayan Espresso Beans (MECB) which are grown in the highlands of Guatemala, typically between 1,200 and 2,100 meters above sea level,

Arabica coffee beans have a milder, more complex flavor profile with notes of fruit, berries, chocolate, and nuts. Additionally, our Mayan Espresso beans are grown in volcanic soil, which means they are chuck full of vitamins and minerals!

Volcanic soil, also known as volcanic ash soil or Andosols, and it is known for its unique qualities that make it highly productive for agricultural purposes.

Arabica beans are also lower in caffeine content than Robusta beans, with around 1-1.5% caffeine. So if you want the sweetness of Arabica but want more caffeine simply add more beans so you don’t have to resort to drink a bitter lower quality coffee like Robusta. They are called Arabica because they come from the Coffea Arabica plant, which is native to Ethiopia where coffee was first discovered in the 15th century. Arabica beans have been cultivated in the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. Known for their delicate flavor, lower acidity, and lower caffeine content Arabica beans are considered to be higher in quality and used by most gourmet coffee shops, now you can too have a gourmet and delicious coffee at home, Mayan Espresso!

Robusta: Coffea Robusta, which has a more bitter taste and higher caffeine content is the most widely grown species of coffee plant in the world, Coffea Robusta is also widely cultivated, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia and used by most commercial and instant coffee makers due to it’s low price.

Robusta: Robusta beans are grown at lower altitudes, typically between 200 and 800 meters above sea level. They have a stronger, more bitter taste with notes of earth, wood, and sometimes even rubber. They also have a higher caffeine content than Arabica beans, with around 2-2.7% caffeine.

There are many other types of coffee beans, each with its own unique flavor profile and growing conditions. The type of coffee bean you choose can have a significant impact on the taste of your coffee, but search no more, now you have at your disposal Mayan Espresso, one of the best, non acidic, sweet and special coffee bean!

Our Coffee Scores from the Specialty Coffee association have always been Excellent, our 2022 scores 87!