In the commercial coffee trade, there are two main coffee species – Arabica and Canephora (more commonly called Robusta).
The Arabica bean differs from its counterpart the Robusta, in that it is flatter and slightly longer in shape. It produces a milder coffee that has a softer aromatic flavour.
In comparison, Robusta beans are higher in caffeine (about 50-60% more) and have a stronger, more nutty flavour. Robusta beans are more cost effective and are used in instant and blended coffees.
Did you know? Coffee is a most complex beverage, boasting over 800 flavour and aroma influencing components. Wine, by comparison has only 150.
Coffee is an intricate mixture of more than a thousand chemicals. [1] The cup of coffee you order from a coffee shop is likely different from the coffee you brew at home. What defines a cup is the type of coffee bean used, how it is roasted, the amount of grind, and how it is brewed. Human response to coffee or caffeine can also vary substantially across individuals. Low to moderate doses of caffeine (50–300 mg) may cause increased alertness, energy, and ability to concentrate, while higher doses may have negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and increased heart rate. [2] Still, the cumulative research on coffee points in the direction of a health benefit. [3,4] Does the benefit stem from the caffeine or plant compounds in the coffee bean? Is there a certain amount of coffee needed a day to produce a health benefit?
[By Kate MacDonnell ]
When some people think of South Africa, images of its renowned scenery, geography, and cultural diversity may come to mind. However, not all people think of South Africa as a place that produces incredible coffee.
But think again, as this is one of the world’s most exciting coffee exporters and has risen in popularity around the globe in recent years.
South Africa is a remote country located at the southernmost part of the African continent, and as the coffee culture and industry has grown around the world, so too has it in South Africa. The country has seen tremendous growth in its local coffee industry over the last twenty years as the drink’s popularity within the local population has increased.