Differences in coffee are abundant, and it can be very difficult to sort through all of them. One major difference in types of coffee is the distinction between Caffea Arabica and Caffea Robusta. These two coffee species are very different, but they are both available in today's commercial coffee market.

Robusta coffee beans are extremely hearty. They are very resistant to disease while on the coffee tree. Robusta coffees flourish in lower elevations. Robusta beans are of a much lower quality than Arabica beans, and they have harsh flavor characteristics.

Arabica coffee beans, on the other hand, are extremely high quality. The best of Arabica beans are grown at higher elevations, between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level. These beans produce much more defined flavor characteristics than Robusta beans.

A common misconception concerning Robusta and Arabica beans (and espresso for that matter) is their caffeine content. Most people think that the more flavor the coffee has, or the darker the roast on the coffee bean, the higher the caffeine content. The truth is exactly the opposite! The lower quality Robusta bean has a 2.5% caffeine weight while the higher quality Arabica bean has only 1% caffeine weight. So rest assured that when you are enjoying a cup of high quality Arabica coffee in Hubbard and Cravens you are enjoying subtleties in flavor and richness and not just getting a caffeine buzz!