The reputation of robusta in the coffee industry is slowly but surely evolving into something much more positive. previously compared to arabica as more bitter and harsh, it stands on its own as a bean variety worth considering.
While Arabica coffee has a milder flavor and lower caffeine content, Robusta coffee has powerful flavors and much more caffeine. this approach makes this bean variety popular for instant coffee and energy drinks, although you can also find specialty robusta on the market.
Reading: Best robusta coffee
Vietnam is the largest producer of robusta, although you can also find a large number of exports from Brazil and Indonesia.
There is much talk today about how robusta coffee could eventually replace arabica as the world’s most traded coffee. whether for price reasons or higher coffee yields, there are many exciting developments ahead for this bean.
what do today’s best robusta coffee brands have to offer? Let’s dive into this previously maligned bean and explore what makes it truly special with some brand recommendations.
Top 5 Robusta Coffee Brands
- nguyen coffee supply
- copper cow coffee
- shock coffee
- biohazard coffee
- cannonball coffee
- are looking forward to trying traditional Vietnamese coffee-making methods
- want to try Vietnamese arabica, robusta and blends
- wants to support direct trade roasters
- I only want Robusta beans
- want faster options like instant coffee or brewed coffee
- I love flavored coffee
- prefers robusta arabica blends
- want a quick and convenient option
- I only want Robusta coffee
- wants whole bean options
- they still want some arabica in their robusta
- want as much caffeine as possible
- want less caffeine
- are curious about exploring multiple backgrounds
- I don’t want to be overloaded with options
- crave as much caffeine as possible
- he only wants robusta beans
- want a portfolio to choose from
- he wants arabica and robusta blends
- want some variety, but not too much
- are curious about other robusta origins
- want easy access to teams and subscription models
- want decaffeinated or semi-caffeinated options
- I just want robust Vietnamese
nguyen coffee sale
Let’s start this list off with a roaster we mentioned in our previous list of the best Vietnamese coffee brands. With Vietnam being the leading supplier of Robusta today, it stands to reason that they have some of the best products on the market.
This specialty roaster is dedicated to the art of traditional Vietnamese brewing. This portfolio has Robusta, Arabica, and Blend coffee options along with phin filters and brewing devices so you can brew Vietnamese-style coffee.
Unlike pour-overs, phin filters brew the coffee a little slower to create a thicker, stronger brew.
when you want the full range of Vietnamese coffee and robusta coffee, nguyen coffee supply is a smart choice.
our top coffee recommendation: truegrit
have you ever eaten robusta peaberry? Contrary to popular belief, the peaberry is not its own variety of coffee. this unique form of coffee is a mutation that causes a single bean to grow inside the cherry instead of the usual two.
This medium roast is claimed to have twice the caffeine of Arabica, plus more antioxidants and less sugar.
we recommend this brand for drinkers who:
we do not recommend this brand for drinkers who:
copper cow coffee
Let’s hear it for the copper cow coffee! We’ve also mentioned this brand before in our Best Vietnamese Coffee Brands, but we’d be remiss to leave them off our list of Best Robusta Coffee Brands.
copper cow coffee is a woman-owned coffee roaster with a focus on Vietnamese robusta, plus convenience for the shopper.
See also: The Urban Darling
Their entire portfolio comes in brewed coffee form to give you amazing coffee with minimal fuss. They offer flavored and unflavored coffee to ensure you’ll find a match that’s compatible with your palate and lifestyle.
Need some decaf on the side? they have a classic black option and a classic black decaf option that will blow your mind.
our top coffee recommendation: churro coffee
Want to try a coffee that’s a little different, but not too unique? their churro coffee bags add a dash of spice to a classic flavor.
Like all their coffee, each bag comes with a built-in paper filter that you place over the top of your cup. pour, wait a few minutes, then enjoy!
we recommend this brand for drinkers who:
we do not recommend this brand for drinkers who:
shock coffee
this roaster kicks it up a notch with a mighty name. shock coffee was founded with the goal of bringing as much caffeine to the table as possible without losing taste or convenience.
The result is a portfolio that is divided into different strengths and convenient levels. has ground whole beans for traditional brew levels, along with quick cups and proof samples.
shock coffee products have up to 50% more caffeine than the average bag or cup, so you won’t have to worry about your high wearing off.
unlike the other samples on our list, shock coffee prefers to mix its robusta with a bit of arabica to adjust the flavor. make no mistake: most of the caffeine still comes from robusta.
our top coffee recommendation: 1 lb bag of ground
Get started on your new caffeine kick with your simple one pound ground sachet. this blend leans towards a medium-dark shade to push the roasted and smoky flavor to the limit.
fun fact: this roaster regularly supplies bags to US military bases around the world.
we recommend this brand for drinkers who:
we do not recommend this brand for drinkers who:
biohazard coffee
do you think shock coffee is strong? Another contender for the most powerful brew comes in the form of Biohazard Coffee, a roaster that prides itself on maximizing its caffeine content.
each cup of coffee offers up to 928 grams of caffeine, which is music to the ears of any drinker who wants help staying up late.
Like shock coffee, biohazard coffee offers a simple portfolio of ground coffee and whole beans. if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by big roaster wallets or a million subscription models, the simplicity here will be refreshing!
See also: Chemex Brewing Guide: Lets do this
our top coffee recommendation: biohazard coffee
You don’t have to worry about choice fatigue with biohazard coffee. their unique offering is a bag of single origin, 100% robusta beans.
If you want more convenience, consider choosing your ground coffee option so you can head straight to your mr. coffee. keep your coffee fresh by storing it in airtight bags and keeping it in a cool pantry.
we recommend this brand for people who:
we do not recommend this brand to people who:
cannonball coffee
Last but not least, we recommend trying the cannonball coffee. their robusta is unique in that they do not harvest in vietnam, but in rwanda and ethiopia.
how about variety? If you’re curious about trying different origins, you’re already off to a great start with cannonball coffee.
Their portfolio offers a good balance of variety in terms of flavor notes, amount of caffeine, and roast levels. Along with coffee bags, they offer brewing equipment, products, and subscription models.
This brand was founded with the express goal of supporting people’s active lifestyles. Whether you’re serving in the military or want to hike more, cannonball coffee has the fuel you need.
our top coffee recommendation: iron bar espresso blend
If you’re a fan of espresso-based drinks like lattes and Americanos, you’ll love this mix. cannonball coffee combined Rwandan and Ethiopian robusta for a truly delicious result.
expect an earthy flavor profile with hints of chocolate and fruity sweetness. this coffee would make a brilliant macchiato to balance out its bitter notes.
we recommend this brand for drinkers who:
we do not recommend this brand for drinkers who:
Best Robusta Coffee Brands Conclusion
robusta deserves a better reputation than it gets. Thanks to the efforts of these hard-working roasters, this bean will continue to enjoy increasing popularity.
To reiterate: the main producers of Robusta beans are in Vietnam, although African and Southeast Asian origins can be found.
robusta is a variety of coffee bean known for a more earthy and bitter flavor profile than its delicate arabica cousin. it also has a higher caffeine content, making it popular with instant coffee brands or roasters who want to give their customers a productive boost.
hope to find this dark roasted bean to really push its flavor to the limit.
Although you can find Robusta mixed with Arabica, 100% Robusta bags are becoming easier to find. we have no doubt that robusta-focused companies will have a stronger foothold in the global coffee industry in a few years’ time.
See also: The 8 Sweetest Coffees to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
