Is Arabica Or Robusta Best For Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew is popular because it enhances the most subtle flavors in every coffee bean. But is Arabica or Robusta best for cold brew coffee?

In general, Arabica coffee beans are the best choice when making cold brew coffee. Arabica beans have more complex sugars which makes them sweeter and gives them a heightened flavor profile. By comparison, Robusta beans have fewer sugars and more caffeine which results in a more bitter brew.

With that in mind, if you’re looking for a great Arabica for your next cold brew, we’d recommend Cooper’s Kenyan AA Medium Dark Roast or their Ethiopian Light Roast. ( available on Cooper’s website.)

However, there are plenty of great Robusta coffees out there as well, and several reasons you might want to choose them.

If you want to know more about the benefits of cold brewing with Arabica vs Robusta, keep reading!

Is Arabica Or Robusta Best For Cold Brew Coffee?

While everyone has their preferences, Arabica coffee beans are generally considered superior to Robusta.

There are three primary reasons for this:

  • Arabica beans have a higher sugar content
  • Arabica beans have a wide variety of flavor profiles
  • Arabica beans have less caffeine

Let’s quickly talk about each of these and how they affect your cold brew.

Cold Brew Coffee Box Set / Classic Black & White / 24oz
Cooper’s Cold Brew Coffee

Arabica Has More Sugar than Robusta

As a species, Arabica beans generally have twice as much sugar as Robusta beans. Not only do they have more sugar, but their sugars are more complex as well.

The reason is that Arabica grows at higher altitudes than Robusta, which means there’s less oxygen available to the Arabica plants. And because there’s less oxygen, the Arabica beans grow slower and have more time to develop sugars.

In addition, Arabica plants produce fewer cherries than Robusta plants. With fewer cherries absorbing nutrients, Arabica beans contain a larger share of the plant’s sugars.

Is Arabica or Robusta Best for cold brew coffee?
Image: Cold Brew Coffee

Arabica Has Less Caffeine Than Robusta

Robusta beans have about twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans.

At first glance, that may sound like a reason to choose Robusta instead of Arabica. However, caffeine actually tastes very bitter.

So, if you want to enjoy a complex flavor profile and fruity undertones in your cold brew coffee, choose Arabica beans.

Robusta beans have more caffeine as protection against bugs. It actually contains levels of caffeine that are toxic to them!

Because of this, Robusta plants are hardier, easier to farm, and cheaper. But they’re also harsher, taste bitter, and have rubbery undertones.

Cold Brew Coffee
Volcanica’s Cold Brew Coffee

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Arabica Beans Have A Wide Variety Of Flavor Profiles

There are millions of coffee farms all around the world. These farms are spread across dozens of countries, at various altitudes, with diverse climates and different soils.

When you combine all these factors it’s no wonder that Arabica coffee beans have so many different flavor profiles. Some coffees are fruity, some are nutty or chocolaty and others are floral.

And you truly can taste the difference between coffee produced in different locations. This is why single-origin coffees are so popular.

So, if you want your cold brew to have the unique flavors of Ethiopian, Peruvian, or Sumatran coffee, you definitely want to buy Arabica beans.

What Are The Best Arabica Beans For Cold Brew?

For your next cold brew, we highly recommend Cooper’s single-origin coffees.

Our top three choices are:

BrandFlavor ProfileImageBuy
Cooper’s Kenya AA Medium Dark RoastPeach flavor pie with a heavy body. The sugars are well-developed but not burnt.Cooper's Kenya AA CoffeeBuy On Cooper’s
Cooper’s Ethiopian Light RoastCitrusy, but sweet flavor. It’s a light roast and is fairly acidic and bright.Cooper's Ethiopian CoffeeBuy On Cooper’s
Cooper’s Rwanda Medium RoastSweet taste, nutty, and chocolaty. It’s smooth, mellow, and not acidic at all.Cooper's Rwanda CoffeeBuy On Cooper’s
Table: Best Arabica Beans For Cold Brew

There are certainly many other great Arabica coffees out there to try, but these three are our favorites.

What Type Of Roast Is Best For Cold Brew Coffee?

We generally recommend medium roast beans for cold brew. This is because medium roasts are dark enough that the sugars are caramelized but light enough that the bean’s natural flavors are still present.

But of course, everyone has their preference and there are exceptions.

To help you figure out what you might like, let’s cover some of the pros and cons of using different roasts for cold brew coffee.

Light Roast

This roast preserves most of the bean’s acids and natural fruity or floral notes. However, the sugars are caramelized minimally.

Using a light roast is a good option because cold brew extracts less acid than regular brew. This is great if you have acid reflux. At the same time, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the full flavor profile of your coffee bean.

Image: Light Roast Coffee

Medium Roast

This roast is sweeter because the sugars are caramelized without being burnt. The bean’s natural flavors are somewhat diminished.

Medium roast is our favorite option because sweet chocolaty flavors start to develop but you can still enjoy the fruitiness or nuttiness of the bean.

Dark Roast

This roast is the least acidic, but it’s strong, smoky, and even bitter. The sugars are so caramelized that they’re nearly burnt. And none of the fruitiness or floral notes remain in the bean. So, the subtle notes won’t come through even in a cold brew.

If you’re not used to it, this roast may be too much.

Cold Brew Coffee
Volcanica’s Cold Brew Coffee

What Are The Benefits of Using Blends for Cold Brew?

Single-origin coffees are great if you want to experience the flavors from a specific region. But blends have their advantages as well.

For starters, they can be more balanced. A blend can have notes from many different regions, and their combined flavor can be even more unique than a single origin.

Also, blends tend to be cheaper because they don’t have to rely on a single region for their beans.

Can I Make A Good Cold Brew With Robusta?

We’ve spent most of this article singing the praises of Arabica beans. But honestly, you can make a good cold brew with Robusta.

For example, by adding a significant amount of milk, you can still have a strong, energizing coffee that’s creamy, smooth, and not too overpowering. Similar to a Cafe con Leche.

Alternatively, you can substantially cut down the bitterness of Robusta coffee by adding sugar. Cuban coffee is often very bitter, which is why lots of sugar is added.

So, by adding a good deal of milk and sugar you can have a great Robusta cold brew. Just be careful about how much you drink because it contains a lot of caffeine.

Cold Brew Coffee Box Set / Classic Black & White / 24oz
Cooper’s Cold Brew

Who Should Use Robusta Beans For Cold Brew?

People who are mainly interested in caffeine and energy should go with Robusta coffee beans. On the other hand, people who want to enjoy their coffee’s flavor profile should choose Arabica.

Said another way; if you need a cup of coffee to stay awake on the job then go with Robusta. But if the bitterness is too much for you, make sure you add enough milk and sugar to make it drinkable. Or if you’re drinking coffee after work or for fun, go with Arabica.

Of course, there are plenty of people who absolutely love Robusta beans. But for most people, Robusta is harsh and bitter with rubbery undertones.

Best Robusta Coffees You Can Try For Cold Brew!

Brand Flavor Profile Image Buy
Dalat Highlands Medium roast, smooth, full-bodied, with hints of chocolate
Buy On Amazon
Dakoli Coffee BeansMedium roast, rich with a bold taste. Low acid Buy On Amazon
Bach Coffee BeansHints of dark chocolate, brown sugar & brazil nut. Rich and bold Buy On Amazon
Table: Robusta Coffee Beans

Are Arabica Or Robusta Beans Better For Iced Coffee?

Generally, Arabica beans are better for iced coffee.

Iced coffee is typically a summer drink that’s prepared during a time of relaxation and enjoyment. If that’s the case, it would make sense to use a light or medium roast Arabica with a great flavor profile.

On the other hand, an iced coffee made with Robusta would be harsh and bitter. It would also make you jittery during your summer holiday for the high amounts of caffeine.

Our recommendation – go with Arabica for your iced coffee!

Key Takeaways

  • Arabica beans are typically the best choice for cold brew
  • Arabica has more sugar, more flavors, and less caffeine
  • Medium roast beans are a great choice for cold-brew coffee
  • Robusta beans make a bitter but energizing cold brew

Cheers Coffee Lovers!

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