Definition

Noun 1. A species of coffee plant (Coffea canephora): A type of coffee plant native to central and western sub-Saharan Africa. It is known for its hardiness, higher caffeine content, and resistance to disease compared to the more common Arabica species. 2. The coffee beans produced by this plant: The seeds (beans) of the Coffea canephora plant, used to produce a strong, often more bitter coffee with a distinctive, earthy flavor.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the plant):
  • Farmers planted robusta coffee because it is resistant to coffee leaf rust.
  • The robusta coffee bush thrives in lower altitudes than arabica.
• Noun (referring to the beans or beverage):
  • This instant coffee is made primarily from robusta coffee beans.
  • The espresso blend contains a percentage of robusta coffee to add crema and body.

Advanced Usage

• In agricultural and economic contexts: The term is used to discuss cultivation, trade, and the commodity market for this specific coffee type.
  • Vietnam is the world's largest producer of robusta coffee.
• In descriptions of coffee blends: Often specified as a component to indicate the blend's characteristics, such as strength, bitterness, or caffeine level.
  • For a powerful kick, try a blend with a high robusta coffee content.

Variants and Related Words

• Robusta (noun): A common shortened form of "robusta coffee."
  • This bag contains 100% robusta.
• Coffea canephora (noun): The scientific botanical name for the robusta coffee plant.

Synonyms

• Coffea canephora (formal/scientific)

Notes on Different Meanings

The term robusta coffee specifically refers to the biological species Coffea canephora and its products. It is not a brand or a roasting style but a distinct botanical variety with unique growing conditions and flavor profile, often contrasted with arabica coffee.

Noun

1. native to West Africa but grown in Java and elsewhere; resistant to coffee rust