☕ Gebaseerd op 10+ jaar barista workshopervaring

Espresso Onder Controle

Module 2 van 10

Fase 1 – Koffie begrijpen

Arabica or Robusta – Which coffee beans do you choose for espresso?

Most people buy coffee beans without knowing what they're buying — and you can taste that in your espresso.

In this video module, you'll discover the difference between Arabica and Robusta — and how that choice affects the bitterness, body, aroma, and character of your espresso.

✔ Understand the fundamental difference between Arabica and Robusta coffees
✔ Discover why Italian espresso often contains Robusta
✔ Learn how growing height affects caffeine, sugars, and flavor

✔ Recognize why some coffees are strong and bitter and others are soft and aromatic
✔ From now on, choose coffee beans that suit your taste and espresso machine

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Suppose you have a pack of coffee beans in your hands. What do you look for?

You are standing in front of the coffee shelf or looking at a bag of coffee beans online.
On the packaging, you see words such as Arabica , Robusta , or blend .

But what do those terms actually mean for the coffee that will soon be in your cup?

Many home baristas choose their coffee beans by feel, on the advice of a barista, or simply because the packaging looks good. Yet, a good espresso often starts with this very first moment of choice:

What kind of coffee is actually in the bag?

In this module, we look at that first important distinction in coffee: Arabica and Robusta .

Arabica and Robusta

Arabica and Robusta are not marketing terms.
They are two different types of coffee , each with its own character.

Just as apples are all apples, but a Jonagold tastes different from a Pink Lady, Arabica and Robusta also develop differently — and you can taste that in your espresso.

These differences affect:

bitterness
body
aroma
caffeine
and how to brew a coffee on your espresso machine

Understanding that difference makes it much easier to choose coffee beans that match your taste and how you brew coffee .

What you learn in this module

In this video module, you will discover how two coffee varieties — Arabica and Robusta — determine the character of coffee.

You will learn, among other things:

How to recognize your preferred beans during the buying process
why Arabica and Robusta are two fundamentally different types of coffee
how growing altitude influences these coffee varieties
why Robusta is often drunk in Italy
why Arabica can actually add more nuance
why Italian espresso often tastes different from coffee you buy in the Netherlands

You also discover something that surprises many people:

The classic Italian espresso that many coffee drinkers are so enthusiastic about often contains a portion of Robusta — and sometimes even 100% Robusta .

By understanding this distinction, you better recognize where taste differences come from and can consciously choose which type of coffee suits your taste.

Part of Espresso Under Control

This module is part of Espresso Under Control — a series of compact video modules for home baristas who want to better understand their espresso step by step.

In this series, you will learn how different factors come together in the cup:

- which coffee beans you choose
- how branding and freshness have an influence
- how espresso extraction works
- and how to keep your machine stable

Each module covers one part of the espresso process. Together, they form a logical system that allows you to gain more control over taste, extraction, and consistency step by step .

The explanation is based on insights from more than ten years of barista workshops by Geert-Jan de Baristaman , in which the same question keeps coming back:

How do I actually know which coffee suits me?

Logical next step

This module forms the first step in the series to understanding coffee beans .

You will discover how two coffee varieties — Arabica and Robusta — influence the character of coffee and why that difference is important when brewing espresso.

Do you want to discover afterwards why coffee from Ethiopia tastes different from coffee from Brazil and how you can recognize that?

→ Module 03 – Countries and taste profiles

Are you mainly unsure about what to buy: single origin or espresso blend ?

→ Module 05 – Single Origin vs Espresso Blend

Together, these modules help you understand step by step how coffee choices influence the espresso that ultimately ends up in your cup .

Also view the other modules within Espresso Under Control

Who is this module for?

This module is intended for home baristas who:

Buying coffee beans but not sure what Arabica, Robusta or a blend means
notice that espresso tastes very different in different places
wondering why Italian espresso is often stronger and more bitter
want to consciously choose coffee beans that suit their taste

Whether you're working with a Sage, ECM, Rocket, Rancilio, Ascaso, or another semi-automatic espresso machine , this module will help you understand how your coffee choice affects what you ultimately taste in your cup.

This module is part of Espresso Onder Controle —a modular training program for home baristas who want to better understand their espresso step-by-step and brew it more consistently. Each module covers one crucial part of the process, so you can learn specifically where your greatest gains lie.

What will change after this module?

After watching this module, you will look at coffee packaging differently.

You understand:

why some espressos have more body and bitterness
why other coffees taste softer and more aromatic
why Italian espresso often tastes different from coffee in the Netherlands
why many espresso blends combine Arabica and Robusta

This makes it easier to choose coffee that suits how you drink your espresso.

You will learn to recognize coffee based on its flavor character , not just on the marketing terms on the packaging.

What you get

Video module of approximately 7–9 minutes
Clear PDF summary with the most important insights
Direct access after purchase
Practical explanation based on more than 10 years of barista workshops by Geert-Jan de Baristaman

Recommended (try this right away):

Next time you make a purchase, carefully check the coffee packaging and see if it is Arabica, Robusta, or a blend .

This way you avoid buying coffee that does not match your taste.

Logical next step

Countries and Flavor Profiles – Discover how origin and region determine whether coffee tastes fruity, nutty, or spicy, and how you can further refine your taste preferences.

And like every module within Espresso Under Control, this one also ends with one goal: less guessing, more control.

FREE BONUS MODULE!

Write a review of this module and receive: Module 10 – Coffee Drinks and Ratios for free in your email.

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Espresso Under Control

Frequently Asked Questions - Arabica vs Robusta

Is this module suitable for beginners?

Yes. This module is specifically designed for home baristas who want to better understand which coffee beans they buy and why their espresso sometimes tastes different than expected. No prior knowledge is required. The explanations are practical and will help you make more informed choices from your next purchase.

What exactly will I learn in this module?

In this module, you'll learn the difference between Arabica and Robusta, how that difference arises, and what it means for flavor, body, bitterness, caffeine content, and the overall experience in the cup. You'll learn not only what's on the packaging, but also how to use that information to choose coffee that best suits your taste and espresso machine.

How long is the video for this module?

The video module is approximately 7 to 9 minutes long. Short enough for a quick viewing, yet comprehensive enough to help you make immediately useful decisions when buying coffee beans.

What do I get after purchase?

After purchase, you'll receive immediate access to the video module and the accompanying summary PDF. The video explains the topic step by step. The PDF will help you quickly recall the key points later, for example, when buying new coffee beans.

What makes this module more valuable than loose free coffee information online?

Because free, isolated information is often fragmented, superficial, or contradictory. This module, built on Geertjandebaristaman 's 10+ years of practical workshop experience, clearly explains a single, concrete topic, without the clutter, marketing gibberish, or endless searching. You're not buying random coffee information here, but a concise explanation that will help you make better choices when buying espresso beans.

Which module should I follow next?

The most logical next step is Module 3 – Countries and Flavor Profiles . There, you'll learn how origin and region influence flavor directions. If you're especially interested in understanding why blends work differently than single-origin espresso blends, then Module 5 – Single-Origin vs. Espresso Blends is a strong next step.

Can I also follow these modules separately?

Yes. All modules can be taken individually. This allows you to focus on the topic where you expect to gain the most benefit. At the same time, the modules are interrelated, giving you more overview and depth if you take multiple modules in the series.

Can I also buy these modules in a bundle with a discount?

Yes. The modules are also available in bundles . This is useful if you want to tackle multiple topics simultaneously and use the series as a more complete learning path.

How do I get module 10 for free with a review?

Module 10 is available for a limited time as a review bonus. The steps to receive this bonus are outlined on the relevant product page . This way, you'll know exactly which review to leave and how to access the bonus module.

Is this an online barista course?

Espresso Onder Controle isn't a general hospitality training program or a certification program. It's a practical, digital training for home baristas who want to brew better espresso on their own semi-automatic espresso machine.

The modules consist of focused video lessons and summary PDFs that you can follow independently. You choose the topics that best address your needs: bean selection, roasting, extraction, maintenance, or beverage composition. You don't have to complete a full course, but you can work with it like a toolbox.

The content is based on practical experience from home workshops and corporate training sessions, and is applicable to virtually any home piston machine — from Sage and Ascaso to ECM, Rocket or La Marzocco Mini.

If you work with a fully automatic coffee machine such as Jura or a fully automatic De'Longhi, some principles are useful, but the system is primarily developed for machines where you have control over grinding, dosage and extraction time.

The goal isn't a diploma. The goal is control over your espresso.

View all modules within Espresso Under Control here

Choose the modules that best suit your needs or work step by step to gain more control over flavor, extraction, and bean selection. All modules can be completed individually and are directly applicable to your own espresso machine.

Can I also learn this during a barista workshop?

Yes.

In addition to these online modules, I also offer private barista workshops at home on your espresso machine , where we look at your espresso machine, coffee grinder, and coffee beans together.

During such a workshop, you will learn step by step how to fine-tune your espresso and which choices influence taste and extraction.

Many home baristas use the modules as a foundation of knowledge and then opt for a workshop to personally optimize their setup.

View the options for a private barista workshop at home here.

The Next Steps in Espresso Under Control

The modules within Espresso Under Control are structured in such a way that you gradually gain more control over your coffee choices and your espresso machine.

Some modules help you choose better coffee beans.

Other modules help you make espresso technically better.

The Arabica vs Robusta module covers the first step: understanding what kind of coffee you're actually buying.

Together, these modules form the basis of Espresso Under Control : practical knowledge that allows you to better control your coffee choices and extraction step by step.

Step 1 — Current module
Arabica vs. Robusta: Learn why these two coffees taste so different and how that affects your espresso.
Step 2 — Recognize flavors on coffee packaging
Countries and Flavor Profiles: Discover how origin determines whether coffee tastes fruity, nutty, or spicy.
Module: Countries and flavor profiles
Step 3 — Understand how coffee is processed
Harvesting methods and coffee brands
Module: Harvesting Methods and Coffee Brands

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