06 / 10 / 2026
The difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee is not just about the plants they come from, but above all about the character they bring to the cup. Aroma, body, intensity and aftertaste vary depending on the coffee beans used and on how the two varieties are brought to life through roasting and blending.
Arabica Coffee: Aroma and Delicate Flavour
The Coffea arabica plant generally grows in mountainous areas at high altitudes, where milder temperatures encourage slower ripening. It is more delicate than Robusta and requires specific growing conditions.
In the cup, Arabica stands out for its rich, complex aromatic profile, with greater sweetness and pleasant acidity. Depending on its origin, it may reveal floral, fruity, spicy or chocolate notes.
Because of these characteristics, however, a 100% Arabica coffee may taste less familiar to those accustomed to traditional Italian espresso.
Robusta Coffee: Body and Intensity
Coffea canephora, commonly known as Robusta, is a hardier plant suited to hot, humid climates and generally grown at lower altitudes. Compared with Arabica, it is more resilient and adapts well to different environmental conditions.
Its contribution to the cup is immediately recognisable: more body, intensity and structure, with a bold flavour and more pronounced bitterness. Robusta also helps produce a thicker, longer-lasting crema, a particularly important characteristic in espresso preparation.
Arabica or Robusta? Great Taste Comes from Balance
Arabica brings aroma, complexity and delicacy, while Robusta varieties add body, intensity and a lasting finish. For La Torre, blending is where these characteristics meet: a way to bring out the qualities of different coffees and create an espresso with a distinctive, balanced and enjoyable character.
One example is La Torre’s Miscela 70, created to mark the anniversary: a coffee with subtly bright notes and a smooth character, the result of careful selection and balance of the beans. For us, blending is not simply about combining different coffees; it is a genuine pursuit of flavour, in which every component helps create the experience we want to offer in every cup.
