Arabica
Arabica was first found growing naturally in the country of Ethiopia (previously Abyssinia) in 1753. It was the earliest cultivated species of coffee tree (in Yemen) and is still the most common coffee species that is grown for commercial purposes. It contributes about 70% of today’s coffee bean market and is considered dramatically superior in cup quality to other species, including Coffea Canephora (Robusta). All fine, speciality, and fancy grade coffees come from the Coffea Arabica species.
There are many cultivars of the Coffea Arabica tree but the two most prominent ones are Typica and Bourbon with Typica being the oldest Arabica. Historically, Typica was cultivated in Latin America and Asia, whereas bourbon arrived in South America and, later, East Africa via the French colony of Bourbon (Island of Reunion).
Robusta
Robusta was discovered growing wild in the Belgian Congo (Zaire or Republic of Congo) in 1898. The name Robusta was originally the trade name of a Belgian horticultural house who marketed the species early in the 20th century after the Frenchman Emil Laurent had brought it to their attention.
The name is said to reflect the more robust nature of the taste and 'kick' that it is noted for delivering. It is the second most widely cultivated coffee shrub currently producing about 25% of the world’s coffee beans. Generally recognised as having a lower quality taste than the Arabica bean which is why it is typically found in jars of instant coffee and supermarket cans of coffee. However, some astute coffee roasters add between 5-15% quality Robustas to a fine espresso blend to help give the coffee taste that morning ‘boost’.