What's Robusta?
As you know there's 2 Main Coffee Bean Types:
1- Arabica + 2 Robusta
Most cafes, inclusing Starbucks and Mcdonalds only use Arabica beans.
However, have you noticed something missing in many modern coffees? So here at FOB Coffee we prefer Arabica/Robusta blends, or even 100 Robusta beans.
Robusta Key Characteristics:
- Bold Flavor: Robusta has a distinctive, robust taste with Mocha and nutty notes
- Higher Caffeine: Contains nearly twice the caffeine of Arabica beans
- Vietnamese Tradition: Robusta is the foundation of traditional Vietnamese coffee culture
- Perfect for Espresso: Creates excellent crema and adds body to espresso blends
At F.O.B Vietnamese Coffee, we celebrate the unique qualities of Robusta beans and their important role in Vietnamese coffee tradition.
Green Robusta Beans:
Roasted Robusta:
Q: Why Use a Robusta blend instead of the usual 100% Arabica?
A: Because we love a bold brew with bite. . It’s stronger, more body, and holds up beautifully in phin drip, milk based espresso, or iced coffee. .. Its the chosen blend for 100s of millions of Italians, Indonesians, Vietnamese and Malaysians.
Q: Is Robusta bitter or low quality?
A: Not the beans we use, or the way we roast it. We carefully select only the best beans and roast very carefully to avoid bitterness.
Q: Why should I drink FOB Robusta?
A: Because you want coffee that tastes like coffee right? Not autumn leaves or peaches ...It’s got crema, it’s got punch, and it’s how coffee is done in Vietnam. Try it with ice and condensed milk and thank us later.
Q: Is it strong?
A: Very
Q: How do I brew FOB coffee?
A: However you like—but we recommend:
☑️ Phin filter (traditional Vietnamese drip)
☑️ Espresso shot ,slightly cooler than Arabica
☑️ Iced coffee with sweetened milk
and some use cold brew
Q: Is Robusta Coffee good for you?
A: Yep—but like all good things, in moderation. Robusta packs more caffeine and antioxidants than Arabica, which means:
- ⚡ Energy boost: Higher caffeine gives you longer-lasting alertness—no sleepy sips here.
- 🔥 Faster metabolism: Studies suggest caffeine can help increase fat burning and metabolic rate.
- 🛡️ Antioxidants: Robusta chlorogenic acids (a natural antioxidant) , which help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
- 💪 Fewer chemicals: Robusta plants are naturally pest-resistant, so they’re grown with fewer pesticides than Arabica—especially when sourced from smallholder farms like ours.
- Much Lower acidity than Arabica, so it's easier on the stomach
Q: Is FOB Coffee good for cafes or just home brewers?
A: Both. We supply cafes that want standout Vietnamese-style coffee, and we ship direct to people who love brewing bold at home.
Ideal Climate & Soil – Vietnam has perfect growing conditions for Robusta, with rich volcanic soil, high humidity, and optimal temperatures in regions like the Central Highlands (Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk).
Now they are trying Traditional & Innovative Processing – Many farmers use unique processing methods like honey processing and natural drying, which enhance the bean’s sweetness and complexity. FOB Coffee is also happy to cooperate with Will Nguyen who is producing a specialty anaerobic robusta, which undergoes a careful 30 day production process.
