What is Robusta coffee? The bean behind Nero Peaks

Warm light, a counter, a small cup of coffee with a thick crema, strong and low in acidity: that's the (holiday) feeling many people associate with the classic Italian coffee experience, the benchmark against which everything else gets measured. Whether it's actually the coffee or just the holiday mood doing the heavy lifting is up for debate. Either way, the coffee species Robusta very likely plays a big part in it.

Robusta is the second most widely cultivated coffee species in the world after Arabica. Its correct botanical name is Coffea canephora – Robusta is technically just one variety – but the name has stuck, and for good reason: compared to Arabica, it's more robust against disease, temperature fluctuations, and sun exposure. A few more things that set Robusta apart:

- Higher caffeine content – almost double that of Arabica, depending on origin

- Bolder, often nutty or chocolatey notes, depending on processing and roast

- Lower acidity

- More body and more crema

For a long time, Robusta had a bit of a reputation problem. Arabica was seen as the better bean, pretty much without question. That's partly because Robusta was historically used for low-cost blends and instant coffee. But in the era of Third Wave Specialty Coffee, that's changing. An Arabica isn't automatically great just because it's Arabica. And a Robusta isn't automatically inferior; what matters is how it's grown, cared for, and processed.

Traditional vs. experimental: Which coffee type are you?

Even in the age of Specialty Coffee and super-bright, fruity-floral roasts, a lot of people still crave a bold, full-bodied espresso with a more traditional flavour profile – something that brings back the feeling of stopping at a tiny espresso bar on a side street in Italy. And that kind of flavor almost always has at least some Robusta behind it.

We didn't just hear our community asking for something more traditional in our nunc. coffee portfolio, our own data backs it up, too: Our users lean towards chocolatey, sometimes mild but always characterful roasts. In May 2026, the clear favorites were Roaring Volcano and our everyday staple, the milder but still creamy and full-bodied Glowing Beach.

At nunc., we've always put the customer at the centre of what we build and how we innovate. But we also wouldn't be us if we just dropped a generic Robusta blend into the nunc. portfolio and called it a day.

Say hello to Nero Peaks!

Dense crema. Barely any acidity. Full body with a bold, spicy finish and notes of dark chocolate, hazelnut, and cocoa butter: Nero Peaks is a 100% semi-washed Robusta from Vietnam, one of the most significant Robusta-growing regions in the world.

With Nero Peaks, we bring together traditional flavour, Specialty Coffee, and an uncompromising farm-to-cup philosophy. The beans are grown by Mr. Toi, a farmer from the Bao Loc Highlands who has turned his craft into a calling. Over decades, he has refined his knowledge of Robusta cultivation, developed cutting-edge processing methods, and built an internationally recognised name for high-quality Robusta. The result: a bean with a real story behind it. Find out more about Mr. Toi’s story HERE.

Nero Peaks isn't a cheap dark roast hiding its flaws behind the roast level. It's specialty-grade from the start, sourced and roasted with the same care and standards as every other bean in the nunc. portfolio.

What to make with a darker roast: three recipe ideas

The low acidity and full-bodied profile of Nero Peaks make our first-ever Robusta a versatile base for some of the most beloved classic coffee recipes out there.

Classic espresso

The most direct way to understand what makes Nero Peaks tick. No milk, no sugar, no distractions – just dense crema, that warm Italian feeling, and a bold, spicy finish.

Affogato

A scoop of vanilla ice cream, one shot of Nero Peaks: the perfect partners in crime on a hot summer day. The combination of an intense, warm espresso and the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream turns two seemingly simple ingredients into something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Espresso martini

A drink that wakes you up and tastes best with a view of the sunset: espresso, coffee liqueur, vodka, shaken hard over ice. Thanks to Nero Peaks' full body and low acidity, the coffee flavour doesn't get swallowed up by the alcohol and the sweetness — instead, it's what gives this cocktail its iconic taste.

However you like to brew Nero Peaks: with nunc.'s Smart Hopper system, switching between a bright, adventurous Arabica like Vivid Valley and the bold, classic Italian-feeling of Nero Peaks is effortless. Because taste is highly personal – and the colorful world of coffee has something in store for everyone. Stay tuned, this definitely won't be our last roast.