Arabica Coffee Bean Varietals

Coffea Arabica Coffee Beans

There are two main varieties of Arabica:

Typica and Bourbon. From Bourbon and Typica spring the countless sub varieties of coffee plants. You’ll see these sub varieties named as “Cultivars.”Although many varietals of Coffea Arabica exist, C. arabica varietal Arabica (includes var. typica) and C. arabica var. bourbon (named from the island of Bourbon where it was first cultivated) are considered to be the first coffee varietals. Other varietals are believed to be a product of these two cultivars.

Every country and region grows different type of cultivars:

While yield and quality are important, the number one factor why a certain cultivar is to answer the question “Does it grow in this area?” The coffee plant depends on many different factors to grow, soil, climate, disease resistance, etc. Production and resistance generally governs the types of coffee beans that a farm will choose to plant. Coffee quality is a secondary factor most of the time. Other factors usually taken into account are things like plant size i.e does the variety pose certain problems when machine harvesting, is there subject to all decisive factors a better alternative? Is it a high maintenance cultivar requiring losts of labour intensive pruning, is it likely to suffer wind damage etc? The best way to avoid making costly mistakes that can’t easily be remedied is to do your coffee homework prior to planting. Availing yourself of expert advice, various coffee websites/books, the experiences of other coffee farmers, viewing farms that share similar climatic conditions etc will generally afford you knowledge that contributes to success, as opposed to failure, of your venture. Don’t forget other potential income that can be had from selling (subject to plant licensing laws) cultivars that you’ve grown.

Typica

This is the base from which many coffee varietals have been developed. Like the other Coffea Arabica varietals that have been developed from it, Typica coffee plants have a conical shape with a main vertical trunk and secondary verticals that grow at a slight slant. Typica is a tall plant reaching 3.5-4 m in height. The lateral branches form 50-70° angles with the vertical stem. Typica coffee has a very low production, but has an excellent cup quality. See Typica pictured right.

Bourbon

Bourbon coffee plants produce 20-30% more coffee than Typica, but have a smaller harvest than less most coffee varietals. Bourbon has less of a conical shape than Typica coffee plants, but has more secondary branches. The angles between the secondary branches and the main stem are smaller, and the branch points on the main stem are closely spaced. The leaves are broad and wavy on the edges. The fruit is relatively small and dense. The cherries mature quickly and are at a risk of falling off during high winds or rains. The best results for Bourbon coffee are realized between 3,500-6,500 feet. Cup quality is excellent and similar to Typica. Yellow Bourbon image at right.

Caturra

Caturra is a mutation of Coffee Bourbon discovered in Brazil. It is a mutation with high production and good quality, but requires extensive care and fertilization. It is short with a thick core and has many secondary branches. It has large leaves with wavy borders similar to Coffee Bourbon. It adapts well to almost any environment, but does best between 1,500-5,500 feet with annual precipitation between 2,500-3,500 mm. At higher altitudes quality increases, but production decreases. The Caturra cultivar is pictured at right.

Catuai

Pache comum

Pache comum is a mutation of Typica coffee first observed on the farm El Brito, Santa Cruz Naranjo, Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Many consider the cup to be smooth or flat. This coffee varietal adapts well between 3,500-5,500 feet.

Pache colis

Pache colis was found in Mataquescuintla, Guatemala in a farm consisting of Caturra and Pache comum. The coffee fruits are very large and the leaves are roughly textured. Pache colis provides some resistance to phoma. It has secondary and tertiary branching, and typically grows to 0.8-1.25 m. It adapts well to altitudes of 3,000-6,000 feet with temperatures between 20-21°C.

Catimor

Catimor is a cross between Timor coffee (resistant to rust) and Caturra coffee. It was created in Portugal in 1959. Maturation is early and production is very high with yields equal to or greater than the yield of other commercial coffee varietals. For this reason the method of fertilization and shade must be monitored very closely. The Catimor T-8667 descendants are relatively small in stature, but have large coffee fruits and seeds. The Catimor line T-5269 is strong and adapts well to lower regions between 2,000-3,000 feet with annual rainfall over 3,000 mm. T-5175 is very productive and robust, but can have problems at either very high or very low altitudes. At low altitudes there is almost no difference in cup quality between Catimor and the other commercial coffee varietals, but at elevations greater than 4,000 feet Bourbon, Caturra, and Catuai have a better cup quality.

Kent

Kent is used for its high yield and resistance to coffee rust.

Mundo Novo

Natural hybrid between Typica coffee and Bourbon coffee. The plant was first found in Brazil. The plant is strong and resistant to disease. Mundo Novo has a high production, but matures slightly later than other kinds of coffee. It does well between 3,500-5,500 feet with an annual rainfall of 1,200-1,800 mm.

Maragogype

This coffee varietal is a mutation of Typica coffee. It was discovered and developed in Brazil. The Maragogype coffee plant is large and is taller than either Bourbon or Typica. Production is low, but the seeds are very large. Maragoype beans are prized for their voluptuous flavor and large beans.Maragogype adapts best between 2,000-2,500 feet. The cup characteristics are highly appreciated in certain coffee markets. Two descendents of Maragogype are very popular. Pacamara is a hybrid crossed with Paca grown in Panama. It is known for large size and prize-winning aroma. Geisha is another hybrid grown in Ethiopia that is well liked as well. The geisha coffees come from a variety introduced to Panama in the 1960s but virtually abandoned early on due to low yields however at Boquete, Panama was selling for $104 per pound in 2007. Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Geisha coffee set an online auction record when it sold for over $50 dollars per pound, unroasted, on May 30, 2006. The coffee, which is grown in the shade of old guava trees, has been widely and enthusiastically praised for its flavor and aroma. In April, it placed first in the SCAA “Best of Panama” competition, with a score of 94.6 out of 100.

Amarello

This coffee varietal, as its name indicates, produces a yellow fruit. It is not widely planted.

Blue mountain

Blue mountain is a famous coffee varietal favored for its resistance to the coffee berry disease and ability to thrive in high altitudes. It was first grown in Jamaica and is now grown in Kona, Hawaii. Blue mountain coffee, however, cannot adapt to all climates and maintain its high quality flavor profile.

Timor

Was discovered in the 1860s in the Island of Timor, Indonesia and is considered the savior of the coffee industry. It’s a cross between arabica and robusta that was particularly disease resistant during the blight of 1860. While disease resistant, many consider it just a robusta disguised as Arabica due to its tepid flavor and taste. While not the best coffee in the world, it’s disease resistance help stave off the destruction of entire coffee industry in many coffee growing countries.

Source

coffeeresearch.org, Sweet Maria’s Coffee