"The greatest coffee crisis of our time": an outbreak of fungi could destroy the crops of Latin America



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Although Arabica and Robusta coffees may seem similar, there are a number of differences that significantly differentiate these two popular coffee species.

Growth conditions

The Arabica shrub typically grows 8.2 to 14.7 ft (8.2 to 4.5 m) and requires 15 to 24 ° C (59 to 75 ° F) and annual rainfall included between 2 200 mm) per year.

Robusta grows slightly between 4.5 and 6.5 meters, requires warmer temperatures of 18 to 36 ° C and precipitation slightly greater than 86 to 130 inches (2,200 to 3,000 mm) per year. that Arabica.

Returns

In terms of yield, Arabica produces less coffee per hectare than Robusta, which makes the cost of growing Arabica much higher.

Form

Arabica coffee beans are slightly larger and elliptical in shape than smaller and rounder Robusta beans.

Structural differences also exist between the beans, which may explain why both beans roast differently under identical conditions.

Chemical content

Because of their bitter taste, it is thought that caffeine and chlorogenic acid (CGA) have a deterrent effect on insects and animals.

Because Robusta contains about twice as much caffeine as CGA, it is much more robust in the wild.

Arabica contains about 60% more lipids and a concentration of sugars twice that of Robusta.

As a result, these sugars play an important role during the roasting process by creating several key aromatic compounds, while contributing to the body due to its greater amount of dissolved solids.

Pollination

Arabica is a self-pollinated plant, which means that the plant will undergo fewer mutations and fewer variations throughout its life cycle compared to Robusta.

Number of chromosomes

The number of chromosomes of Arabica (44) is double that of Robusta (22).

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