Glossary

74110 is one of the varieties developed by Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC). The JARC is responsible for developing many of the varieties that flourish across Ethiopia today. JARC was established in 1967 and has been developing and sharing new coffee varieties ever since. The center also provides agricultural extension training to help farmers learn the correct cultivation methods for these newer varieties. Like 74112, this variety was selected from trees in the Metu-Bishari forest in the Illubabora region in Oromia. The variety is resistant to coffee berry disease and has a high overall yield. The trees are short and compact and display small leaves and cherry. It was released in 1979. For more information on JARC, see JARC varieties.

74112 is one of the varieties developed by Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC). Like 74110, this variety was selected from trees in the Metu-Bishari forest. It was selected for its resistance to coffee berry disease and its high yield potential. 

This common Indonesian variety is presumed to be of Ethiopian heritage. The variety was introduced to the island of Java in 1928. The plant is marked by large and elongated seeds.

Anacafe 14 is a natural cross between Catimor and Pacamara that occurred in the 1980s in Guatemala. Francisco Manchamé, a coffee producer from Camotán, Chiquimula, is credited with this discovery. Francisco found a highly productive coffee tree bearing large fruit on his fields and it turns out that it was a natural hybridization of the Catimor and Pacamara trees planted in his fields. Anacafé led the further research and development of this natural hybrid, releasing it in 2014. The result is a variety with high productivity, large cherry size, resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), strong drought tolerance and a good cup quality.

Andung sari (also Andungsari) is a dwarf plant selected by the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI). This variety was selected from Catimor stock and has high productivity and a delicious cup profile, but requires high maintenance. It does best at altitudes over 1,250 meters above sea level.

Ateng is a commonly used name that describes Catimor varieties planted on Sumatra and other Indonesian islands. While there are several names, including Ateng Super and Ateng Jeluk, these typically all refer to Catimor variety plants. The name comes from a contraction of Aceh Tenggah, a region on Sumatra. 

The Arabica species is believed to be the first coffee species to be cultivated by humans. This species was a product ofn an ancient interspecies hybridization event between coffea eugonoides and coffea canephora. The origin of this species has been traced back to Ethiopia and South Sudan and was first cultivated in Yemen. Arabica production was first documented in the 12th century. Today, Arabica constitutes 60% of global coffee production. 

Arara is a newer variety from Brazil that’s prized for its high-scoring cup as well as its resilience and productivity. The variety is a cross between Yellow Catuai and Obatã, a Timor hybrid developed by Fundação Procafé. It grows as a yellow fruit with large-sized beans. The variety has high resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), good productivity, high quality potential and compact trees that make it easier to harvest. Since its release, competitions have seen this coffee top out at low 90s cup scores.

Arusha is a sub-variety of Bourbon and is most common in PNG and Tanzania. The exact origins of Arusha are still a mystery, but many coffee experts and agronomists think that this variety is most likely a descendant of a hybrid of an SL variety that was discovered on a coffee farm in Arusha, Tanzania. The variety was introduced to PNG around the 1950s, most likely by French missionaries. The largest concentration of Arusha variety plants today is located in the Arusha highlands in Tanzania at 1,540 meters above sea level. Arusha is characterized by its tall height, vigorous growth and high yield. It has large cherries with a big stem diameter and prefers higher elevations.

The Pacas family purchased a farm called Finca Los Bellotos at the end of 2012. When the family first started their work on the farm, Ruperto, the farm manager, mentioned that he had noticed these peculiar trees growing on the farm. He said that when he tasted their fruit, their flavor was incredibly distinct. The family asked pickers to separate those cherries from the rest. Everyone was amazed by their sweetness and notes of peach, papaya and mango in the pulp.

Blue Mountain is a Typica mutation that was first found and cultivated in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. The variety is also widely cultivated in Hawaii, on Kona Island, where it is typically called “Guatemala.” The variety was also introduced to East Africa in 1894 through Malawi and Rwanda and to West Kenya in 1913. Today it is mainly grown in Hawaii, Jamaica, West Kenya, Rwanda and PNG. Like its Typica ancestor, Blue Mountain does well at high altitudes. It’s also resistant to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD).

Bourbon is a specialty coffee darling known for its excellent cup quality and good performance at high altitudes. The variety is susceptible to the major diseases, which can make it difficult to grow. The variety traces its heritage back to Yemen. French missionaries introduced Bourbon from Yemen to Bourbon Island (now known as La Reunion) in the early 1700s, from which it takes its name. Bourbon has had a huge effect on modern coffee varieties as one of the major ascensions for many varieties grown across the world.

Castillo is a variety released by Colombia’s National Center for Coffee Investigation (CENICAFE) in 2005. It is marked by high yield and resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR). Its dwarf size means it can be planted close together for higher per-hectare yields. Research has indicated that Castillo has a strong quality potential, contrary to popular quality assumptions about it.

Catimor is a hybrid of Timor and Caturra that was released in 1959 by scientists at the Centro de Investigação das Ferrugens do Cafeeiro (CIFC), in Portugal. Catimor offers high yields, good disease resistance (thanks to its Timor parent) and small size (enabling higher density planting). Catimor is most widespread in Vietnam and Indonesia but is gaining in popularity in Mexico and Peru where Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) has become a significant problem. Catimor does best when cultivated at or above 1,200 meters above sea level, where it can best display distinct sensory qualities.

Catucaí is a naturally occurring cross between Icatu and Catuaí. Since the first selection of Catucaí in 1988 by breeders at Brazilian Coffee Institute (IBC), plant breeders have continued crossing Catucaí offspring and breeding them to select for preferred traits, releasing new varieties frequently. With both red and yellow Catuaí varieties, Catucaí’s cherry color comes from the Catuaí parent. Yellow Catucaí is cultivar of Yellow Catuaí and Icatu, and Red Catucaí is a cultivar of Red Catuaí and Icatu.

Catigua is a cross between Catuai and Timor that was developed in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1980. This hearty plant is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and root-knot nematodes. Catigua is a cross between Catuai and Timor that was developed in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1980. This hearty plant is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and root-knot nematodes. 

Catuai is a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra that’s commonly cultivated across Central America and Brazil. Its dwarf size means Catuai can be planted closely together to maximize yields. Catuai is available in both red and yellow varieties, but there is no discernable difference in taste between the two.

Caturra, a coffee variety known for its short, compact stature, is a natural mutation of Bourbon. It was first discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil around 1915. The variety is the result of mutation in a single gene of a Bourbon plant that made the plant smaller but still high yielding. As it spread, Caturra enabled higher-density coffee cultivation.

Centromericano is a hybrid of Sudan Rume (an Ethiopian landrace variety) and T5296, a Coffee Leaf Rust-resistant variety descended from Timor and Villa Sarchi. This variety is valued for its high yield and excellent quality potential. It is well adapted for use in agroforestry and intercropping.

Similar to Colombia, Costa Rica 95 is a hybrid of Caturra and Timor that was selected from several successive generations. The variety was developed by Instituto del Café de Costa Rica (ICAFE).

Cuzcatleco is a Sarchimor descendant selected by Fundación Salvadoreña para Investigaciones en Café (PROCAFE) in El Salvador. It is well adapted for medium altitudes and is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and some nematodes. The beans are large and the trees compact, making it possible to plant trees closer together and maximize yields.

French Mission Bourbon is descended from Bourbon varieties brought to East Africa from Indonesia by French Missionaries. Today, the variety is mainly grown in Kenya, where the medium altitude, nutrient-rich volcanic soil and mild climate conditions are ideal for cultivating Bourbon. 

Garnica is a hybrid of Mundo Novo and Caturra. This high-yielding, medium sized plant was first bred at the Mexican Institute of Coffee (INMECAFE) in 1960. Garnica is a close genetic relative of Catuai and the two have similar cup profiles. This variety is virtually unknown outside of Mexico. 

There are two Gayo varieties, Gayo 1 and Gayo 2, both of which are descended from Timor/TimTim. Gayo 1 is supposed be a variety of TimTim selected by the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI). Gayo 2 is thought to be a cross of TimTim and S-795 or Bourbon that originated in Aceh. The name Gayo comes from an ethnic group of the same name in the Aceh Highlands. Gayo has become synonymous with the region where Gayo 1 and 2 were selectively bred by local farmers.

Geisha (also known as Gesha) is known for its exceptional cup quality, especially when grown at high altitudes. The variety comes from Ethiopian landrace coffees and was collected from Ethiopian coffee forests in the 1930s.

Icatú was developed in Brazil by Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) and has been widely selected for its high production and good disease resistance. It was developed by crossing Robusta and Yellow Bourbon, and then crossing the offspring with Mundo Novo. The IAC released Icatú in 1993.Icatú was developed in Brazil by Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) and has been widely selected for its high production and good disease resistance. It was developed by crossing Robusta and Yellow Bourbon, and then crossing the offspring with Mundo Novo. The IAC released Icatú in 1993.

IAC 125 RN, also known as IBC12, is a variety developed by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) in the mid-2010s. IBC12 is a cross of Villa Sarchí and Timor. The plant is short with high yield and a high scoring cup. Cherry is dark red when ripe and the plant is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR).

Source: https://sucafina.com/na/news/new-varieties-in-brazil

IHCAFE 90 is a high yielding plant that does well at low altitudes. Its dwarf size makes it easy to plant trees closer together and increase yields. As its name suggests, IHCAFE 90 was selected by Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE). The variety is susceptible to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR).

Jackson is a high yielding, high disease-resistant variety that was discovered in India in the early 1900s by a farmer named Jackson. It is believed to descend from the original coffee seeds first brought to India from Yemen by Baba Budan in the 18th century. Cuttings were sent to research stations in Kenya and Tanzania in the 1920s. Today, the variety is most common in Rwanda and Burundi.

Jimma Agricultural Research Centre (JARC) is responsible for developing many of the varieties that flourish across Ethiopia today. JARC was established in 1967 and has been developing and sharing new coffee varieties ever since. JARC has developed varieties based on regional suitability and advises farmers to use the varieties cultivated for their microclimates. The center also provides agricultural extension training to help farmers learn the correct cultivation methods for these newer varieties.

Java is a high-quality variety common to Central America. Descended from the Ethiopian landrace variety, Abyssinia, the Dutch introduced the variety to the Indonesian island of Java in the early 19th century. The cup quality can rival Geisha yet is easier to cultivate and more disease resistant as well.

See Linie- S-795

K7 is found mostly in Kenya and Tanzania and is known for its resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and Coffee Berry Disease (CBD). The variety also has high yields and good cup potential at high altitudes. The plant is recognizable by its branch’s wide spread.

Kent is believed to be a natural mutation of Typica that was discovered in India in the early 1900s. It is very productive and partially resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR). Kent was introduced to Kenya in the 1920s but our in-country teams note that while Kent is common in Tanzania, it is not widely cultivated in Kenya.  

Laurina was discovered in the early 1800s on Réunion Island. Also called Bourbon pointu (meaning pointy Bourbon), it is extremely close to Bourbon genetically but vastly different in appearance. Its smaller shape and more egg-shaped fruit allow producers to plant Laurina closer together than its Bourbon relatives. Laurina is also known for its low caffeine content, which is about 1/3 of that of most other Arabica varieties.

Lempira is well adapted to warm zones and acidic soils. Its dwarf size and high yield make it especially efficient. It is a cross between Timor and Caturra and is similar to Costa Rica 95. Lempira was selected by El Programa Cooperativo Regional para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y Modernización de la Caficultura (PROMECAFE) and distributed by Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE).

Originating in Liberica, West Africa, Liberica was brought to the Phillipines, where it was first cultivated commercially. Liberica rose to prominence in the 1890s when Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) destroyed 90% of all Arabica plants worldwide. Liberica was more CLR resistant and was planted widely in the Phillipines and other Southeast Asian countries.

Longberry Harrar is a natural mutation of Typica variety that has elongated cherry. This thinner, longer cherry was first noticed in Harrar, in Ethiopia. There is also a Longberry variety common in Indonesia that is thought to have come from Longberry Harrar. 

As the name suggests, Maracaturra is a hybrid of Maragogype and Caturra that naturally occurred in Brazil in the late 1800s. Today, it is grown mainly in Brazil, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The plant has large leaves and large beans, like its Maragogype parent.

Discovered in 1870 near the Brazilian city of Maragogipe, Maragogype is a natural mutation of Typica that’s known for especially large beans. Today, Maragogype is less known than it’s offspring, Pacamara (where it has been crossed with Pacas). However, Maragogype is still in demand for its large beans and high-quality cup profile.

Marsellesa is a hybrid variety in the Sarchimor family, plants that are themselves a hybrid of Villa Sarchi (a natural Bourbon mutation, like Caturra and Pacas) and a Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR)-resistant hybrid from Timor. Marsellesa is a good mix of the flavor profile from Bourbon (via Villa Sarchi, a close genetic relative to Bourbon) and the resilience of the disease-resistant hybrid from Timor.

Moca is one of the oldest coffee varieties in existence. It traces its heritage to Yemen, where this small, short tree flourished. It has small cherry and beans. Today this variety is most commonly grown in Brazil and Hawaii.

Nyasaland was introduced to Africa through Malawi (previously called Nyasaland) in 1878. It was one of the first Arabica varieties brought to Africa. The variety is a descendant of Typica that was grown in Jamaica and brought to Malawi. Today, Nyasaland is most common in Uganda, where it was brought in 1910. Nyasaland has been planted widely on the slopes of Mount Elgon.

Obata is a cross between Timor and Villa Sarchi developed by the Instituto Agronomico (IAC) in Campinas, Brazil. The variety was released in Brazil in 2000. Obata was introduced to Costa Rica in 2014 by Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE). The variety is chosen for its high productivity and high resistance to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR).

Oro Azteca was developed by Mexico’s Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP) in response to the Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) outbreak of 2012. It was the first resistant variety developed and registered in Mexico. It is the result of a cross between a Timor hybrid and Caturra. Oro Azteca has good quality potential and good yields.

El Salvador’s Institute for Coffee Research (ISIC) developed the Pacamara hybrid in the 1950s. The variety is a cross of Pacas (a Bourbon mutation) and Maragogype. Pacamara is relatively short with high productivity and is prized for its large cherry. The name comes from the first 4 letters of each parent. Pacamara is one of the big-ticket winners in the El Salvador Cup of Excellence contests and often competes with Geisha for top spots.

The Pacas family in the Santa Ana region of El Salvador identified the new Pacas variety in 1949. The family has been cultivating coffee in the region for more than 150 years. In the early 1900s, Fernando Alberto Pacas Figueroa, the grandfather of the current owners, planted Maragogype, San Ramon and Bourbon on their farm, Finca San Rafael. The Pacas family identified the new mutation of Pacas and research was conducted by William Cowgill at the University of Florida.

Pache is a natural mutation of Typica first discovered in Guatemala. It is smaller than its Typica parent and has good cup quality potential and a high yield. Pache is susceptible to most major diseases and is known for its large cherries and leaves.

Parainema was first bred by Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE) in the 1980s. Part of the Sarchimor family, Parainema is Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) resistant. It does well at medium altitude and is a dwarf plant, which allows farmers to plant trees more densely to maximize yield per hectare.

Peaberry is actually not a variety, but the result of a natural mutation in the coffee cherry. Whereas there are usually two beans nestled together in each fruit, in a cherry with a peaberry mutation, only one bean forms. As a result, peaberries are a single, rounder bean. 

Pink Bourbon was previously thought to be a hybrid of Yellow and Red Bourbon varieties. The variety was first identified growing in and around Huila, Colombia. Recent research has found that Pink Bourbon is in fact not Bourbon at all. Pink Bourbon mostly likely comes from an Ethiopian landrace variety.

Pluma Hidalgo is a Typica progeny that was first cultivated in Mexico and introduced to the area known as “Pluma” (within the Loxicha region of Southern Oaxaca) in the year 1854. The variety was introduced by cochinilla farmers, who were being displaced from Oaxaca’s central valleys due to the increasing use of synthetic dyes instead of natural ones (cochinllia was used for dying textiles scarlet).

Red Acaiá, a rare variety grown primarily in Brazil, is a natural mutation of Mundo Novo (a Typica & Bourbon hybrid). The variety is well adapted to Brazil’s growing conditions and flourishes best at heights over 800 meters above sea level. Known for its cup profile, Red Acaiá is a frequent flyer (and winner!) at Brazil’s Cup of Excellence quality contests.

Rubi is an unusual hybrid between Mundo Novo and Catuai that was developed by technicians at the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) and introduced to Minas Gerais in the 1970s. 

Ruiru 11, a hybrid of Catimor and SL cultivars, is both Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) resistant. Plus, it can be planted at a much higher density than the SL varieties, making optimal use of small plots of land.

Robusta is another species of coffee that is widely grown in Vietnam and Uganda. Robusta has higher disease resistance and is heartier than Arabica coffee with more caffeine. On the flip side, Robusta has a harsher flavor that is typically looked down upon by specialty consumers. Robusta is most commonly used in commercial blends.

San Ramon is another Typica mutation that’s dwarf size makes it easier to plant trees closer together and maximize yields. It’s more resistant to diseases and pests than other Typica varieties and tolerant to wind and drought. There is evidence to suggest that San Ramon is popular in India, where it’s being crossed with other varieties to create more drought- and disease-resistant varieties.

Sarchimor is a ‘family’ of varieties that are hybrids of Timor, a Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) resistant hybrid from Timor-Leste, and Villa Sarchi (a natural Bourbon mutation, like Caturra and Pacas). Sarchimor is a good mix of the flavor profile from Bourbon (via Villa Sarchi, a close genetic relative to Bourbon) and the resilience of Timor. There are several well-known Sarchimor varieties, including Marsellesa and Parainema.

Sidra is a cross between Typica and Bourbon that was discovered in Ecuador. The exact origins of Sidra’s name are unclear, but many think it may be named after the drink, cider, because of its fruity and winey profile. Appearance-wise, Sidra looks similar to Bourbon with well-defined, sloping branches, good tertiary branches and green buds. Sidra is high yield with a good seed size and superb quality potential.

Scott Agricultural Laboratories released a slew of coffee varieties that are common in Kenya today. Many of these varieties begin with “SL” for Scott Laboratories.

SL28 and SL34 were two of the cultivars released by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (SAL) during the height of SAL’s research in Kenya in the 1930s and 1940s. They soon became the cultivars of choice for most growers thanks to their deep root structure that allows them to maximize scarce water resources and flourish even without irrigation. SL varieties also had higher yields than the French Bourbon rootstock that they replaced and were known to be somewhat more disease resistant. 

SLN6 was created at the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in India. SLN stands for “selection". It came from a cross between Kent and Robusta. The offspring of that match was then crossed again with Kent. The CCRI gave SLN6 seedlings to Indian farmers in the 1970s. Seedlings were also shared with Rwanda, Kenya. Zimbabwe and Uganda in 2010. SLN6 is prized for its high yield and superb quality potential. It also begins yielding cherry in the second year, rather than the third, which is more common. It is moderately resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and Coffee Berry Disease (CBD).  

SLN 9 is a hybrid of an Ethiopian variety, Tafarikela, and Timor. SLN stands for “selection”. The variety is marked by tall trees with drooping branches and dark brown leaves. The Timor parent provides adaption for drought-like conditions while Tafarikela gives it an excellent cup quality. In 2002, a SLN9 lot won the Fine Cup Award at the Flavor of India competition. 

Starmaya is an F1 hybrid from Marsellesa and an Ethiopian landrace variety. Starmaya is the only F1 hybrid that is propagated by seed, rather than by cloning. Most F1 hybrids are not stable, so seedlings propagated from an F1’s seeds do not have the same characteristics of the parent plant. Starmaya is unique because one of the parent plants was sterile (meaning it does not produce pollen), the offspring of the male sterile plant and pollen from the hybrid are the same as the hybrid itself.

Sudan Rume (also written as “Rume Sudan”) is an ancient landrace variety that was first cultivated in South Sudan’s Boma plateau. One of the main reasons Sudan Rume is not widely cultivated commercially is its low productivity. However, Sudan Rume has stronger resistance to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) than other Arabica strains, including Bourbon and Typica. Today, the variety is primarily cultivated by plant breeders to include in cultivars. One of its most famous descendants is SL-28. When Sudan Rume is grown commercially it is coveted for its cup quality and relative rarity.  

Tabi is a cross between Typica, Bourbon and Timor created by Colombias National Coffee Research Institute (CENICAFE). It was released in 2002 and combines Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) resistance with the good cup quality of Bourbon and Typica. Similar to those two parents, Tabi is tall with long branches. However, Tabi has slightly larger fruits and seeds and can be grown at high altitudes, and in high density, with up to 3,000 trees per hectare. The name come from the word “tabi,” meaning “good” in Guambiano, the dialect of a native Colombia tribe.

Tekisic is a Bourbon variety selected by the Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research (ISIC). It ripens early, has good quality potential and has higher productivity than other Bourbon varieties at altitudes of 900 to 1,500 meters above sea level. It is widely cultivated in El Salvador and Guatemala.

Also called Hibrido de Timor, Timor is a natural cross between Arabica and Robusta coffees that was discovered in the 1940s in Timor Leste, where it gets its name. Thanks to its Robusta parent, Timor has a strong disease resistance and has been frequently crossed with other Arabica varieties to create more disease resistant plants with good cup potential.

Topázio (also Topacio) was bred in Brazil the 1960s by the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC). The variety is a cross between Mundo Novo and Red Catuaí. That offspring is then crossed with Catuaí. The resulting plant is short with high reproductive capacity and a long lifecycle. Its cherry is yellow with good uniformity. Cup quality and profile is similar to its Catuaí parent with a high-quality potential. Topázio is prized for its productivity, cup quality and uniform ripeness. 

Typica has widely been used to develop new varieties, making it extremely genetically important. Typica is characterized by tall plants, high cup potential and large beans. It is quite susceptible to disease, so most Typica crosses involve Timor or another disease-resistant variety. Quality-wise Typica is valued for its excellent cup quality, especially at higher altitudes. It was widespread across much of Central and South America, including Guatemala and Mexico, but most of the “old vine” Typica was destroyed during the Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) pandemic.