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How do Arabica and Robusta coffee beans differ in shape?
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The two primary species of coffee plants, Coffea arabica and C. canephora (which includes the Robusta variety), produce beans that differ distinctly in their physical shape:
- Arabica: These beans are characterized by a flatter and more elongated shape.12
- Robusta: These beans are notably rounder and more convex in appearance.12
While both species produce seeds that feature a flat face marked by a lengthwise groove, these structural differences in shape are among the primary physical traits used to distinguish the two varieties.2