Reference Library

Coffee Varieties

Explore 33 Arabica varieties — from heritage cultivars to modern hybrids — and learn how genetics shape the cup.

Typica

Arabica Ethiopia/Yemen

Clean, well-balanced with mild acidity and smooth body. Often features sweet, delicate notes.

Low yield Tall plants Excellent cup quality Disease susceptible

Bourbon

Arabica Yemen via Bourbon Island (Réunion)

Sweet, complex with balanced acidity. Often features caramel, chocolate, and fruit notes.

Medium yield Excellent quality Disease susceptible Many color mutations

Gesha

Arabica Gesha village, Ethiopia

Perfume-like jasmine florals, bergamot, peach, tropical fruit. Tea-like body with vibrant acidity.

Very low yield Exceptional quality Tall plants Delicate

Caturra

Arabica Brazil

Bright acidity, good body. Citrus, caramel, and chocolate notes when well-grown.

Dwarf stature High yield potential Good quality Requires nutrition

SL28

Arabica Kenya

Blackcurrant, citrus (especially lemon), complex acidity. Wine-like characteristics.

Drought tolerant Exceptional quality High acidity Bronze leaf tips

SL34

Arabica Kenya

Similar to SL28 with blackcurrant notes, bright acidity, full body, and complex flavors.

High rainfall adapted Bronze leaf tips Excellent quality Good yield

Pacamara

Arabica El Salvador

Complex, often floral and fruity. Chocolate, citrus, stone fruit. Can be unusual/wild.

Very large beans Low-medium yield High quality potential Variable quality

Mundo Novo

Arabica Brazil

Balanced, mild acidity, full body. Chocolate, dried fruit, subtle florals. Smooth finish.

High yield Vigorous growth Disease resistant Good quality

Catuai

Arabica Brazil

Good body, balanced acidity. Sweet with chocolate, nut, and caramel notes.

Compact plant High yield Good quality Wind resistant cherries

Heirloom

Arabica Ethiopia

Highly variable. Often floral, fruity, tea-like. Complex and unique.

Genetic diversity Wild/landrace Variable characteristics Unique flavors

Castillo

Arabica Colombia

Clean, balanced. Can be good quality when well-processed. Chocolate, caramel notes.

Coffee leaf rust resistant High yield Compact Improved disease resistance

Maragogipe

Arabica Brazil

Mild, smooth, low acidity. Sweet with chocolate notes. Delicate flavor.

Very large beans Low yield Low density Mild flavor

Pacas

Arabica El Salvador

Sweet, balanced acidity. Caramel, chocolate, fruit notes. Good body.

Compact plant Good yield Good quality Bourbon characteristics

Villa Sarchi

Arabica Costa Rica

Bright acidity, good sweetness. Citrus, floral, chocolate notes.

Dwarf stature Good quality Bronze leaf tips Wind resistant

Tabi

Arabica Colombia

Clean, sweet, good acidity. Fruit, caramel, chocolate. Similar to traditional varieties.

Disease resistant Tall plant Good quality Typica-like cup

Ruiru 11

Arabica Kenya

Can be good quality. Less complex than SL varieties. Clean, balanced.

Coffee leaf rust resistant CBD resistant Compact High yield

Batian

Arabica Kenya

Bright acidity, good complexity. Closer to SL varieties in quality. Citrus, berry notes.

CBD resistant Coffee leaf rust resistant Good quality High yield

Java

Arabica Indonesia

Earthy, full body, low acidity. Chocolate, tobacco, spice notes.

Adapted to Indonesia Distinct terroir expression Good body

S795

Arabica India

Balanced, good body. Chocolate, spice, low acidity. Clean cup.

Disease resistant Adaptable Good yield Balanced flavor

Timor Hybrid

Arabica/Robusta hybrid East Timor

Variable quality. Can be harsh. Used primarily for breeding disease resistance.

Coffee leaf rust resistant Robusta genetics Hardy Parent to many hybrids

Catimor

Arabica Portugal

Can range from harsh to acceptable. Best selections are clean and balanced.

Disease resistant High yield Compact Variable quality

Icatu

Arabica Brazil

Good quality potential. Chocolate, nuts, balanced. Better than early Catimors.

Disease resistant Good yield Better quality than Catimor Vigorous

Parainema

Arabica Honduras

Sweet, balanced acidity. Chocolate, caramel, fruit. Good body.

Coffee leaf rust resistant Good quality Productive Widely adopted in Honduras

Obata

Arabica Brazil

Clean, sweet. Chocolate, nuts, balanced acidity.

Coffee leaf rust resistant Compact Good yield Heat tolerant

Mokka

Arabica Yemen

Intense, concentrated flavor. Chocolate, spice, wine-like. Low acidity.

Very small beans Dwarf plants Low yield Unique flavor

Sudan Rume

Arabica Sudan/Ethiopia border

Complex, fruit-forward. Stone fruit, florals, tea-like. Bright acidity.

Disease resistant Low yield Unique genetics Exceptional quality potential

Wush Wush

Arabica Ethiopia

Extremely floral, fruit-forward. Jasmine, stone fruit, bergamot. Complex and delicate.

Rare Exceptional quality Low yield Gesha-like characteristics

Chiroso

Arabica Colombia

Floral, fruity, complex. Tropical fruit, florals, tea-like. Bright acidity.

Rare Exceptional quality Delicate Low yield

Sidra

Arabica Ecuador

Floral, fruity, complex. Stone fruit, florals, bright acidity. Delicate.

High quality potential Delicate Floral characteristics

K7

Arabica Kenya

Good acidity, complex. Citrus, berry notes. Clean cup.

Drought tolerant Good quality Tall plant Low to medium yield

N39

Arabica Tanzania

Bright acidity, clean. Citrus, berry, floral notes.

Good quality Adapted to Tanzania

Laurina

Arabica Réunion Island

Delicate, sweet, low acidity. Chocolate, floral notes. Smooth.

Low caffeine (50%) Low yield Delicate Pointed beans

Ethiopian Landraces

Arabica Ethiopia

Highly variable and complex. Often floral, fruity, tea-like with bright acidity.

Massive genetic diversity Wild/semi-wild Unique terroir expression