The Coffee Crisis: Coffee Will Taste Worse and Cost More Because of Climate Change. What Types of Coffee Beans Do We Drink, and How Do They Differ?

Arabica and Robusta differ in flavor, color, resilience, climate needs, and price. Check origin and roast dates when choosing coffee beans.

A recent study predicting that the Arabica variety would become extinct by 2040 has shocked countless coffee lovers. Arabica is one of the types of coffee beans commonly consumed and is also used by Starbucks, which is loved by many people. Arabica accounts for 70% of global coffee production and originated in the highlands of Ethiopia. Arabica beans have stronger sweetness, acidity, and aroma than other beans, so they command higher prices. The unroasted beans tend to have an overall bluish color. Arabica coffee trees do not produce harvestable green beans until five years after planting, and they are vulnerable to pests, diseases, and temperature, making cultivation difficult when temperatures rise above 30°C. Unlike Arabica, Robusta beans are not difficult to cultivate. They have a rich, nutty flavor dominated by bitterness. Robusta grows well even in slightly hot climates of 20–30°C, and its high caffeine content acts as a natural insect repellent, making it resistant to pests and diseases. A notable characteristic is that it can be grown anywhere with high rainfall and hot, humid conditions. Unroasted Robusta beans are generally brown and feel harder than unroasted Arabica beans. It is no exaggeration to say that beans determine the taste of coffee, but the wide variety available can make even buying them difficult for beginners. Of course, there is nothing wrong with tasting many different beans and choosing according to personal preference, but here are some ways to improve the chances of finding the right beans for you. First, check the roasting date when choosing beans. Roasted coffee generally begins to lose its flavor and aroma after two weeks, so it is best not to buy beans that were roasted more than 15 days ago. Also, beans named after a particular country are often named directly for their place of origin, so it is worth checking before buying how the growing region affects their flavor and aroma. [FamTimes = Reporter Kang Jeong-won]

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