Beyond the two primary species, Arabica and Robusta, the coffee world encompasses various cultivars or varieties cultivated for specific flavor profiles, disease resistance, and adaptability to different growing conditions. Here’s a list of some notable coffee plant varieties, ranging from more popular to lesser-known:
Popular Coffee Plant Varieties:
- Typica (Coffea arabica Typica):
- Considered one of the original Arabica varieties, Typica is known for its balanced and classic flavor profile. It’s widely grown and has influenced many other cultivars.
- Bourbon (Coffea arabica Bourbon):
- Originating from the Bourbon Island (now Réunion), Bourbon coffee beans offer a sweet and fruity taste profile, often with excellent acidity and complexity.
- Caturra (Coffea arabica Caturra):
- A mutation of Bourbon, Caturra plants are shorter, making them easier to harvest. They share similarities in taste with Bourbon but with slightly brighter acidity.
- Gesha/Geisha (Coffea arabica Gesha/Geisha):
- Originating from Ethiopia but gaining fame from Panama, Gesha is prized for its unique and complex flavor profile, featuring floral, tea-like, and fruity notes.
- SL28 and SL34 (Coffea arabica SL28 and SL34):
- Developed in Kenya, these varieties are known for their vibrant acidity, intense fruity flavors, and wine-like complexity, making them popular among specialty coffee enthusiasts.
Lesser-Known Varieties:
- Pacamara (Hybrid of Pacas and Maragogipe):
- A hybrid between Pacas and Maragogipe, Pacamara beans offer a diverse flavor profile with attributes from both parent plants, often featuring fruity and chocolatey notes.
- Maragogipe (Coffea arabica Maragogipe):
- Also known as “elephant beans” due to their large size, Maragogipe beans produce a unique cup with a softer acidity and fuller body.
- Pacas (Mutation of Bourbon):
- Similar to Bourbon but with a genetic mutation discovered in El Salvador, Pacas coffee offers a distinct flavor, usually with a good balance of acidity and sweetness.
- Catuai (Hybrid of Mundo Novo and Caturra):
- Catuai is a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra, resulting in a smaller and more compact plant with a versatile flavor profile, often exhibiting good sweetness and acidity.
- Ethiopian Heirloom Varieties:
- A collective term for various heirloom varieties grown in Ethiopia, known for their diversity and unique flavor profiles, often showcasing floral, fruity, and wine-like characteristics.
These varieties represent only a fraction of the vast diversity within the world of coffee. Each cultivar brings its unique set of flavors, aromas, and growing characteristics, contributing to the richness and complexity found in coffee beans worldwide.