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Robusta

Robusta is a separate species of coffee, distinct from Arabica, with its own unique properties. As a crop, it is easy to force it to grow in sub-optimal conditions, so there's quite a lot of poor quality Robusta out there. However, when grown with the care a gourmet crop deserves, Robusta yields a deliciously dark, rich, high-caffeine coffee that stimulates the "back palate" region of your taste buds.

People around the world, including the USA, are evenly divided between "front palate" people and "back palate" people. We find that people who respond well to Vietnamese coffees in general tend to be back palate people, and Robusta excites primarily the back of the palate. If you often find Arabica coffees too "thin" or vaguely unsatisfying, you may be a back palate person. Try some Robusta--it might be a revelation!

One other interesting property of Robusta is its ability to stand up to milk and ice. Robusta is naturally lower in acidity than Arabica, so you don't need milk, but a lot of people simply like the taste and body milk adds to their drink. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, where coffee is normally served with sweetened condensed milk. Robusta's flavor elements are not dampened by the addition of even a large amount of milk. Robusta also does not lose intensity when served on ice. As a result, it is a necessary part of Vietnamese-style iced coffee!

  • Saigon Tradition ##8 ounce ground or whole bean##

    Saigon Tradition, Highland Robusta Blend

    $7.95

    Our second in the new Saigon Blend series, this Highland Robusta Blend is sure to please anybody with a "back" palate who loves deep, dark, delicious coffee with high body and persistence. That chocolatey flavor you love is... Learn more


  • India Robusta Natural ##for 8 ounces##

    India Organic Natural Robusta

    $7.50

    New season! Robusta in India is grown in rich soil at altitudes higher than typical in the rest of the world, and lovingly cultivated to specialty coffee cupping standards. The parent plants were likely imported into... Learn more


  • Bach Natural Vietnamese Robusta Coffee ##for 250 gram - whole bean##

    Bach Vietnamese Robusta Coffee, Whole Bean

    $9.50

    A cult favorite in Vietnam and the USA, Bach creates only pure, natural coffees, in a lighter City roast that we normally see in Vietnam. This is a strong Robusta, both in flavor and caffeine. Mild chocolate tones and brown... Learn more


  • ##for 8oz##

    Vietnamese Dalat Highlands Robusta (non-peaberry)

    $7.25

    Vietnamese Robusta is the secret ingredient in Italian espresso. Its lush body, chocolatey taste, and excellent aftertaste are a product of the rich soil in Vietnam, and the fact that they are able to sun-dry the coffee... Learn more


  • Robusta Harlequin Blend##for 8 ounces##

    Robusta FULL THROTTLE Master Blend

    $8.50

    We are the nation's top seller of roasted High-Altitude, Gourmet Robusta. We search the world over for best samples of Robusta coffee that has been lovingly, expertly cultivated with the care and husbandry of the finest... Learn more


  • Vietnamese Peaberry Robusta ##for 8oz##

    Vietnamese Dalat Peaberry Robusta

    $7.95

    Back in stock! Vietnamese Peaberry Robusta is the secret ingredient in Italian espresso. Its lush body, chocolatey taste, and excellent aftertaste are a product of the rich soil in Vietnam, and the fact that they are able to... Learn more



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Featured Region


The Araku Valley of India

India's coffee tradition goes back 400 years or more, when a variety called Kent was first established in the Southern Hills. Arabicas predominated until the blight of 1870, when growers needed to hybridize to resistant varieties. The resultant strains had genes from Liberica and other unique, resistant species. Learn more and browse India's Araku Valley coffees here.

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