Despite sharing beans as a common denominator, Arabica and Robusta, the two main types of coffee harvested worldwide, are significantly distinctive not only in taste and quality but also in the ethical conditions under which they are cultivated.
Arabica and Robusta refers to Coffea Arabica and Coffea Canephora respectively, the two largest species of the Coffea plant. These beans are cultivated worldwide, in regions across Latin America, Africa, and the Pacific. While their patterns differ, both are largely grown in developing nations. We shall explore these two types further in the following sections, but with a special emphasis on the ethical practices that nestle behind the scenes.
Arabica Coffee – The Ethical Implications
Typically grown in high-altitude locations with ample shade and steady rainfall, Arabica plants tend to be more delicate and sensitive to their surroundings than their Robusta counterparts. As such, Arabica farming can be both a taxing and intensely manual process.
Because Arabica plants require a lot of care, much of the work is done by hand, including planting, pruning, and harvesting. This leads to a substantial reliance on human labor, and consequently, a higher risk of unethical labor practices such as child labor and forced labor. High level of poverty among smallholder Arabica farmers is another key ethical issue. More than 25 million smallholder farmers produce 80% of the world’s coffee, most of these being Arabica beans, and as market prices fluctuate, they often struggle to make a livable wage.
To counter this, initiatives such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance have been set up to offer farmers an equitable price for their produce and encourage sustainable farming methods. Another popular solution is direct trade, where roasters build relationships with farmers and buy directly from them, often paying above Fairtrade prices.
Robusta Coffee – The Ethical Considerations
Robusta, grown at lower altitudes than Arabica, is slightly larger and rounder. Its plant is also more resilient and less prone to disease and pests.
Traditionally, Robusta has been associated with lesser quality than Arabica, and thus, sold at a lower price, pushing Robusta farmers into a cycle of poverty. However, this perception is slowly changing as specialty roasters are recognizing the unique characteristics and flavors of Robusta beans.
As with Arabica, ethical issues emerging from Robusta farming include the risk of exploitative labor practices and the struggle for small farmers to get a fair price for their crop.
Additionally, due to Robusta’s resilience to harsh environments, deforestation is also a significant concern, with forest lands often cleared to make way for large-scale, sun-drenched robusta plantations. This benevolence of Robusta plants to harsh conditions is being abused further due to climatic changes. Farmers are gradually switching to Robusta plantation from Arabica in brittle environmental areas, significantly impacting biodiversity.
But systemic measures are being implemented to remediate these issues. Global coffee partnerships like the Global Coffee Platform, Sustainable Coffee Program, and Coffee and Climate Initiative, are working towards improving the sustainability of the coffee sector, emphasizing more on the smaller farmers.
While both Arabica and Robusta have different growth requirements and yield different tastes, both come with a wealth of environmental, social, and economic implications.
The key ethical differences between Arabica and Robusta lie primarily in the conditions under which they are grown, handled, and distributed. Arabica, due to the sensitivity of its cultivation requirements, has been more prone to ethical issues related to labor exploitation. On the other hand, Robusta, due to its resilience, has raised concerns regarding environmental approximations.
Nonetheless, incremental progress has been made in addressing these ethical issues, through initiatives that promote fair-trade operations, ensuring a good deal for farmers, and an emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
The battle to produce ethical coffee is well within our grasp, we just need to be conscious of the choices we make. As consumers, our choices can help transform the coffee sector. Opt for brands that pay fairly, treat their workers right, and commit to environmentally sustainable practices. After all, every small action leads to significant impacts – and that’s what it takes to brew an ethical cup of coffee.
