India Fine Robusta Coffee
Dark cocoa, black pepper and kola nut from robusta grown where Indian coffee began.
A robusta from Chikmagalur, in the hills of Karnataka, where coffee growing in India began. It is bold and full-bodied, with dark cocoa, black pepper and kola nut. Brewed as drip coffee at 93°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 105 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 43.8 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
| Brewing method | Drip Coffee |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 14.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Medium |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-3:30 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 14.4 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- Cone or flat-bottom dripper
- Paper filters
- Gooseneck kettle
- Burr grinder
- Scale accurate to 1 g
- Timer
- Server or carafe
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Rinse the paper filter with hot water, discard the rinse, and add 14.4 g ground medium. Level the bed.
- 0:00Start the timer and pour 29 g of water at 93°C, wetting every part of the bed. Let it bloom.
- 0:45Pour in slow spirals up to 144 g total, keeping the bed submerged and the level steady.
- 1:30Final pour up to 240 g total. Give the dripper one gentle swirl to settle the bed flat.
- 3:15Drawdown should finish around here. Swirl the server and serve.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 105 mg for an 8 oz cup. Robusta has roughly twice the caffeine of arabica, so a cup brewed at the strength used here, 14.4 g of coffee in 240 ml, can contain considerably more than that figure.
Robusta likes a shorter brew
Robusta can turn harsh quickly. If the cup tastes bitter, shorten the brew, grind a little coarser or use a little less coffee.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A robusta from Chikmagalur, in the hills of Karnataka, where coffee growing in India began. It is bold and full-bodied, with dark cocoa, black pepper and kola nut. Brewed as drip coffee at 93°C.
Origin & Story
Indian coffee began in these hills. The story goes that in the early 1600s a pilgrim named Baba Budan smuggled seven coffee seeds out of Mocha, in Yemen, hidden in his beard, and planted them near Chikmagalur, in the state of Karnataka. Whatever the truth of the legend, Karnataka is still India's main coffee country, with about 71 percent of national output.
Most of that coffee is not arabica. Robusta makes up over 60 percent of India's production. It is grown in the shade of tall trees, usually in two tiers, and mostly on small farms: of roughly 250,000 coffee growers, about 98 percent run small holdings.
Robusta is a different species from arabica, Coffea canephora, and it is a hardier plant with a bolder cup. Its beans contain about 2.2 to 2.7 percent caffeine by dry weight, roughly twice the 1.2 to 1.5 percent in arabica, which is part of why it tastes strong and bitter. It is also valued in espresso blends for its body and its thick crema, and Indian robusta is a favorite of Italian blenders.
In the cup this one is dark cocoa and black pepper, with kola nut, a dense, powerful body and little acidity.
Brewed as drip coffee it is bold. Use water at 93°C, a medium grind and 14.4 g of coffee for a 240 ml cup, and expect a strong, full cup.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 74/100 |
| Acidity | 28/100 |
| Bitterness | 52/100 |
| Body | 92/100 |
| Aroma | 74/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in India Fine Robusta Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 105 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for India Fine Robusta Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should India Fine Robusta Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-3:30. Method: Drip Coffee. Ratio: 60g coffee per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Medium.
Is robusta good for espresso?
Yes. Robusta is prized in espresso blends for its body and thick crema, and Indian robusta is a favorite with Italian blenders. The recipe here is for a filter cup, but you can also pull it as espresso.
How much caffeine does robusta have?
About 2.2 to 2.7 percent by dry weight, roughly double the 1.2 to 1.5 percent of arabica.
Who should avoid India Fine Robusta Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Hario V60 Size 02 Ceramic Dripper
In this recipe: Cone or flat-bottom dripper
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