The bean graph
Varieties
Nearly every coffee you drink descends from a handful of plants. Follow the family lines from the Ethiopian wild pool to the cup.
Arabica family
- Ethiopian LandraceThe wild and heirloom Arabica pool of Ethiopia: thousands of local types, and the genetic root of nearly everything else.
- Hibrido de TimorA natural Arabica x Robusta hybrid carrying leaf-rust resistance, the source of many modern hybrids.
- BourbonThe other founder line, via Île Bourbon (Réunion). Rounded sweetness and body; parent to a huge family.
- Geisha (Gesha)An Ethiopian landrace made famous in Panama. Ethereal jasmine, bergamot and stone-fruit; prized and pricey.
- TypicaOne of the two foundational cultivars carried out of Yemen. Sweet, clean, elegant, but low-yielding.
- CaturraA compact, higher-yielding Bourbon mutation from Brazil. Bright, clean, versatile.
- KentAn early Typica selection from India, chosen for yield and some disease tolerance.
- MaragogipeA Typica mutation with enormous 'elephant' beans. Mild, soft, distinctive.
- Mundo NovoA natural Bourbon x Typica hybrid from Brazil. Vigorous, productive, full-bodied.
- PacasA dwarf Bourbon mutation found in El Salvador. Sweet and dependable at altitude.
- PacheA Typica mutation from Guatemala with a compact habit; smooth, mild cup.
- Pink BourbonA pink-cherry selection grown notably in Colombia. Floral, complex, aromatic.
- SL28A Scott Labs Bourbon-derived selection from Kenya. Blackcurrant, structured acidity, drought-tolerant.
- SL34A Scott Labs selection from Kenya that thrives at high elevation with good rainfall. Rich and juicy.
- Villa SarchiA compact Bourbon mutation from Costa Rica, well suited to wind and high elevation.
- Yellow BourbonA yellow-cherry Bourbon mutation from Brazil. Soft, sweet, gentle acidity.
- CastilloColombia's flagship rust-resistant variety, bred from a Caturra x Timor line. Balanced and dependable.
- CatimorCaturra x Hibrido de Timor. Rust-resistant and productive; cup quality varies by selection.
- CatuaiCaturra x Mundo Novo: compact, sturdy and productive. A Brazilian workhorse.
- ColombiaAn earlier Colombian rust-resistant variety from the Caturra x Timor family, forerunner to Castillo.
- PacamaraPacas x Maragogipe from El Salvador. Big beans, wild fruit and herb complexity.