Thank you for sharing this in depth view of both coffee varietals. As for Robusta- Nguyen Coffee in Brooklyn roasts life changing Robustas. The clarity and layered flavors than contend with the more popular Arabicas. Hanoi is a 100% Robusta, and I think I liked it more than the blend version. They even did an Anaerobic Robusta, a few years back that was a first for me. Incredible roaster that takes Robusta to very high levels. Must try!
Thank you for sharing this Aki! I have to try Nguygen Coffee in Brooklyn now. Do you know if they ship? It’s amazing how traditional Vietnamese coffee is purely Robusta, to some that might seem like a crazy idea given the perception of Robusta but it’s incredible how delicious it is.
I think they ship. They’ve got canned coffee line as well. They make NYers proud! Coffee has gotten so refined now, so we can’t rule out a particular bean/cherry varietal due to past negative experiences anymore. I’m down to try anything as long as it’s delicious
I so agree with that Aki. It’s so important to be open minded and give everything a shot, it’s crazy how much it can surprise you. I’m going to check them out and see if I can place an order. Thank you!
Excellent write up Bernardette! It reminds me of the blend of Virginia and Burley tobacco for pipe smokers. One is bright and citrusy and the other is earthy and woody. Burley is much hardier and ubiquitous than Virginia plants. Two very different varietals that make magic when blended together. Add a little cigar leaf and it becomes exponentially more expansive on the palate. For those that enjoy tobacco as their favorite vegetable (in jest of course) an accompanying cup of coffee is a perfect companion.
This is such a beautiful comparison Ben! Though I don’t smoke, my father would appreciate this analogy as a cigar enthusiast. The magic really is in the blend!
My dad is a pipe and cigar enthusiast and I appreciate a good cigar with coffee every so often. Digging into the whole process of pipe tobacco and cigars draws some great parallels with coffee.
I can imagine Ben! I like the scent of cigar and I can see how it draws parallels with coffee. There’s something to be said about the flavors and scents of nature.
So fascinating, I want more! I always wish your posts were longer, I totally geek out about this kind of stuff.
The whole beginning about where the Robusta got started and how it spread, I wish there was a novel just about that. Like, what are the stories of the people and the journeys taken and the plantations in all these different regions.
Maybe they spread to the next region because a traveling man bright a gift back for his wife? Or maybe a coffee farmer was fleeing for his life and started over in a new region!
Anyway, thanks for the great article and info! I especially liked your pizza metaphor.
Thank you for your lovely comment! Sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to experience how these foods came to be and just like how you mentioned, the way they must have traveled through families, traditions, and countries to get to where they are today. I'd also totally read that novel!
My wife and I are crazy about our good coffee in the morning. When we go away and know we'll have access to an espresso maker, we bring coffee with us.
It's so important to know what you like! This is why I always say coffee is very personal, just because I love dark roast does not mean everyone else will. Thank you for your comment Diana!
Thanks for the insights about Robusta. Although it's probably the culprit for why I don't drink coffee (when I tried daily coffee a few years ago, it gave me palpitations and heightened anxiety), it was interesting to learn more about it.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with coffee Lilla. Unfortunately I also experienced this too while pregnant with coffee so I couldn't drink it throughout my pregnancy nor postpartum. Does adding milk lessen the effect for you?
I haven't experimented that much, but I've tried specialty filter coffee on occasions and I didn't have an issue, so maybe it's also down to frequency and quantity and some suggested Arabica is less likely to cause these symptoms.
I agree Arabica will be less likely to cause those symptoms because it has less caffeine. Maybe an Arabica pour over with some warm milk would do the trick. Make sure the water is not too hot as this will help also extract less caffeine.
Thank you for sharing this in depth view of both coffee varietals. As for Robusta- Nguyen Coffee in Brooklyn roasts life changing Robustas. The clarity and layered flavors than contend with the more popular Arabicas. Hanoi is a 100% Robusta, and I think I liked it more than the blend version. They even did an Anaerobic Robusta, a few years back that was a first for me. Incredible roaster that takes Robusta to very high levels. Must try!
Thank you for sharing this Aki! I have to try Nguygen Coffee in Brooklyn now. Do you know if they ship? It’s amazing how traditional Vietnamese coffee is purely Robusta, to some that might seem like a crazy idea given the perception of Robusta but it’s incredible how delicious it is.
I think they ship. They’ve got canned coffee line as well. They make NYers proud! Coffee has gotten so refined now, so we can’t rule out a particular bean/cherry varietal due to past negative experiences anymore. I’m down to try anything as long as it’s delicious
I so agree with that Aki. It’s so important to be open minded and give everything a shot, it’s crazy how much it can surprise you. I’m going to check them out and see if I can place an order. Thank you!
Enjoy the coffee journey-!
Thank you Aki! Looking forward to learning more from you!
Excellent write up Bernardette! It reminds me of the blend of Virginia and Burley tobacco for pipe smokers. One is bright and citrusy and the other is earthy and woody. Burley is much hardier and ubiquitous than Virginia plants. Two very different varietals that make magic when blended together. Add a little cigar leaf and it becomes exponentially more expansive on the palate. For those that enjoy tobacco as their favorite vegetable (in jest of course) an accompanying cup of coffee is a perfect companion.
This is such a beautiful comparison Ben! Though I don’t smoke, my father would appreciate this analogy as a cigar enthusiast. The magic really is in the blend!
My dad is a pipe and cigar enthusiast and I appreciate a good cigar with coffee every so often. Digging into the whole process of pipe tobacco and cigars draws some great parallels with coffee.
I can imagine Ben! I like the scent of cigar and I can see how it draws parallels with coffee. There’s something to be said about the flavors and scents of nature.
So fascinating, I want more! I always wish your posts were longer, I totally geek out about this kind of stuff.
The whole beginning about where the Robusta got started and how it spread, I wish there was a novel just about that. Like, what are the stories of the people and the journeys taken and the plantations in all these different regions.
Maybe they spread to the next region because a traveling man bright a gift back for his wife? Or maybe a coffee farmer was fleeing for his life and started over in a new region!
Anyway, thanks for the great article and info! I especially liked your pizza metaphor.
Thank you for your lovely comment! Sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to experience how these foods came to be and just like how you mentioned, the way they must have traveled through families, traditions, and countries to get to where they are today. I'd also totally read that novel!
So interesting.
My wife and I are crazy about our good coffee in the morning. When we go away and know we'll have access to an espresso maker, we bring coffee with us.
I love that Rick! What’s your absolute favorite??
We buy Lavazza Crema e Gusta by the case.
Can't ever go wrong with Lavazza!
After years of experimentation, I finally decided the only thing I want out of my coffee beans is for it not to be dark roast :))
P.s. I enjoy your coffee stories!
It's so important to know what you like! This is why I always say coffee is very personal, just because I love dark roast does not mean everyone else will. Thank you for your comment Diana!
Thanks for the insights about Robusta. Although it's probably the culprit for why I don't drink coffee (when I tried daily coffee a few years ago, it gave me palpitations and heightened anxiety), it was interesting to learn more about it.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with coffee Lilla. Unfortunately I also experienced this too while pregnant with coffee so I couldn't drink it throughout my pregnancy nor postpartum. Does adding milk lessen the effect for you?
I haven't experimented that much, but I've tried specialty filter coffee on occasions and I didn't have an issue, so maybe it's also down to frequency and quantity and some suggested Arabica is less likely to cause these symptoms.
I agree Arabica will be less likely to cause those symptoms because it has less caffeine. Maybe an Arabica pour over with some warm milk would do the trick. Make sure the water is not too hot as this will help also extract less caffeine.
Thanks for the tips!