Sometimes you need a caffeine boost to get you out of the morning stupor and prepare you to conquer the day ahead. The amount of caffeine in Robusta coffee brands will typically serve that purpose. Robusta coffee beans have up to 2.5% caffeine while Arabica coffee beans have up to 1.7% caffeine content. Additionally, Robusta is mostly used in espresso blends since it produces a better crema than Arabica. However, only the best Robusta coffee brands will meet your caffeine needs as well as the delicious coffee taste.
For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the best Robusta coffee brands that use Robusta beans and that provide you with exactly what you need. Furthermore, the best Robusta coffee brand converts the bitter-tasting coffee bean into a great-tasting bean while retaining the caffeine content that Robusta coffee beans are famous for.
Where Do Robusta Coffee Beans Come from?
Robusta coffee beans are from the Coffea canephora plant. Robusta coffee originated from Western and Central sub-Saharan Africa. Robusta makes up 40% of worldwide coffee production while Arabica coffee makes up 60% of worldwide coffee production. Robusta coffee beans are mainly grown in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The top suppliers of Robusta coffee beans are Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil.
Qualities of Robusta Coffee
Here are some qualities of Robusta coffee:
- Earthy flavor notes
- High caffeine content
- More bitter
- Cheaper but not always
- Popular in Vietnamese
Coffee Brands that Use Robusta Coffee Beans
1. Biohazard Coffee
Biohazard Coffee is made out of 100% Robusta coffee beans. This coffee brand is popular for its high caffeine content since a 12 oz cup of coffee contains 928 to 1000 milligrams of caffeine. The caffeine content is around four times the caffeine in regular coffee and two times the caffeine present in energy drinks. Biohazard coffee is meant to keep you awake when need be – whether it’s to study or to work.
Biohazard coffee is a result of lightly roasted Robusta coffee beans. The coffee beans are lightly roasted to ensure high amounts of caffeine content. Otherwise, a dark roast of the coffee would result in a more bitter cup of coffee. Biohazard coffee tastes pretty smooth.
2. Cannonball Coffee
Cannonball coffee is a strong coffee brand made out of 100% Robusta coffee beans. The beans are sourced from farms in Northern Rwanda where they use rich volcanic soil plus high altitudes thus producing high-quality Robusta coffee beans. Cannonball coffee contains dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted malts flavor notes. If you’re looking for a morning or afternoon caffeine boost, then this is the coffee brand for you. A 12 oz cup of cannonball coffee contains 1101 milligrams of caffeine. The complex flavors in cannonball coffee are quite similar to the Arabica blends but the crema and caffeine characteristics of Robusta.
3. Bach Vietnamese Coffee
Bach Vietnamese Coffee is 100% Robusta. The coffee brand sources its Robusta coffee beans from the Vietnamese regions. The Robusta coffee beans are grown in the high-altitude regions of Dalat in Vietnam. Bach Vietnamese Coffee has rich chocolate notes that are great for espresso coffee. This coffee brand is suitable for those who are into low-acid vegan Vietnamese coffee.
4. Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee is a blend between Arabica and Robusta coffee. This coffee has high Robusta content. And as a result, you get to enjoy the high caffeine content in Robusta coffee beans and the smoother Arabica notes. The coffee beans used are sourced from Peru and India. A 12 oz cup of Death Wish Coffee contains 728 milligrams of caffeine. Death Wish Coffee brand is among the most popular coffee for its strong flavor and caffeine content. This coffee brand has dark chocolate, roasted almond, and dark cherry flavor notes.
5. Shock Coffee
Shock coffee is another brand that uses 100% Robusta coffee beans. This coffee contains 50% more caffeine compared to traditional coffee. Thus, it’s a good choice for those who are looking for huge amounts of caffeine such as those in the military or those working overtime. However, Biohazard coffee and Cannonball coffee offer more amounts of caffeine than shock coffee. Shock coffee is smooth and delicious that an average coffee drinker can enjoy it black.
What are the Differences Between Robusta and Arabica Coffee Beans?
Here are some notable differences between Robusta and Arabica coffee beans.
Taste – Robusta and Arabica coffee beans are grown differently, thus resulting in different taste profiles. Robusta coffee has an earthy or rubbery taste, while Arabica coffee has a sweet taste with hints of chocolate, nuts, and caramel.
Caffeine Content – Robusta beans contain a higher caffeine content compared to Arabica coffee beans.
Shape – Robusta beans are circular, while Arabica beans are more oval.
Lipid and sugar content – Arabica beans contain twice the sugar concentration in Robusta beans. Additionally, Arabica beans contain 60% more lipids than Robusta beans.
Price – Arabica beans are pricier on the commodity market than Robusta beans.
Growth – Robusta beans are mainly grown in the eastern hemisphere, while Arabica beans are mostly grown in South America. Additionally, Robusta beans mature faster (2 years) than Arabica beans (4 years).
Plants – Robusta coffee plants are hardier than Arabica coffee plants. Therefore, Arabica plants are more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to increase your caffeine consumption, you can try out Robusta coffee brands. Brands like Biohazard, Cannonball, Bach Vietnamese, and Shock are 100% Robusta, while Death Wish is a blend between Robusta and Arabica coffee, with Robusta as predominant. Even if Arabica coffee contains better flavors, Robusta coffee is a great competitor. People have grown to love the Robusta coffee taste despite the coffee being more bitter.
