ROBUSTA

While there are numerous species of coffee plants, there are two species that are predominantly consumed. Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta accounts for approximately 25% to 40% of the coffee grown in the world. Discovered in 1898 in Congo, Coffee Robusta is the most commonly grown variety of the Coffee canephora species of coffee plant. It is popular among growers because it can grow in less rigid conditions than Coffee Arabica. The Coffee Robusta coffe plant is a robust shrub that can grow up to heights of 10 to 12 feet. Unlike Coffee Arabica coffee plants, the Robusta coffee plant does not need to grow at high altitudes. As a result, it is grown in areas that are between sea level and 800 meter elevation ranges. Additionally, Robusta coffee plants require less care to grow due to the fact that it is hardier. This means that it is the cheaper of the two main types of coffee plants to grow. Coffee robusta has a shallow root system and the fruits that grow from the plant take up to 11 months to mature. The cherries that grow on the robusta coffee plant require less care, as they remain on the trees after it ripens. Additionally, coffee robusta has an advantage over coffee arabica for coffee growers, as this coffee plant species tends to be less susceptible to problems related to pests and rough handling. As a result, robusta coffee plans tend to yield more pounds of finished coffee beans per acre at a lower cost of production than arabica coffee plants