RETHINKING THE FUTURE OF COFFEE

But now, things are beginning to change. Due to environmental and growing issues, Arabica is no longer that sustainable. The bean is more susceptive to the changes in weather that the world is currently experiencing. Shifts in the amount of rainfall and air temperature are currently reducing yields and could eventually make some regions untenable. Some studies have suggested it could reduce the number of areas the bean can be well cultivated in by half, within the next 30 years, markedly driving up speciality prices. Volatile coffee prices due to environmental and growing issues are already being seen across the world, from Brazil to Uganda.

And yet, Robusta is much more climate resilient. Tolerant of drought, disease, and generally much easier to grow, shifting to Robusta production may become a necessity, rather than a choice. A mark of how significant this shift could be, comes from market giant Nestlé's investment in it.

The multi-national, as it puts it, is working on “developing low carbon coffee”. It’s calling its scientists development of two new Robusta varieties a “major breakthrough”. Offering up to 50% higher yields per tree versus what it calls standard varieties, it also reduces a grower’s carbon footprint by 30%.

NOT IF, BUT WHEN

So for Robusta, it seems that it’s not if, but when. More and more brands and more producers will steadily shift across to it. But after years of its reputation being trashed, will it be able to take consumers with it?

Firstly, there are already brands making a play for it. In the UK and now in the US, Black Sheep Coffee is a coffee shop and brand that has long differentiated itself with its use of Robusta. Possibly a pioneer of the ‘Robusta revival’ since first opening in 2013, it makes a selling point of the criticisms usually levelled at the bean. Its house espresso is a single origin specialty Robusta coffee, sourced from India. According to the brand, it has “double the caffeine, a richer crema and lower acidity compared to its Arabica cousin”. It says its perfect for both an espresso or a milk-based drink. Another brand flying the Robusta flag is Blue Turaco, which uses 100% speciality graded Robusta beans, sourced directly from Ugandan farmers. Beans are graded and roasted in the UK by award-winning baristas amid claims of “coffee that delivers a strong, premium taste and coffee-kick like no other.”