Robusta

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. A variety of coffee known for its strong flavor and higher caffeine content compared to other types of coffee beans
2. A species of coffee plant that is hardier and more resistant to pests, often used in espresso blends
3. A type of robust coffee bean that is typically cultivated in low-altitude regions, contributing to its distinct taste profile

Etymology: The name belongs to a plant, not a person's invention of a flavour: "Coffea robusta" is a botanical Latin label for a species of coffee shrub. The Latin adjective "robustus" meant "oak-like" or "hard as oak," from "robur," the oak tree and, by extension, strength. Its feminine form "rōbusta" became the name, so the coffee was christened by scientists who wanted a word that promised toughness. That promise was accurate. The plant is hardier than its more famous relative, the arabica, tolerating heat, altitude changes and disease better, and it carries more caffeine. Those qualities made the name a fitting label for a bean that could be grown in conditions where other coffee would fail. In English, the word now serves both as a noun for the bean or plant and as an adjective describing things that are sturdy or strong, though the coffee sense remains its most common use.

Synonyms: strong, hardy, vigorous

Antonyms: fragile, weak, delicate