Coffee varieties and cultivars
A coffee variety is a genetically distinct type of coffee plant. Variety affects agronomy and can influence cup potential, but the final coffee is also shaped by environment, harvesting, processing, roasting and brewing.
How the hierarchy works
| Level | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Coffea arabica | A biological species containing many genetically distinct varieties. |
| Genetic group | Bourbon group | A broader genetic relationship; varieties within a group are related but not necessarily the same cultivar. |
| Variety / cultivar | Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, SL28 | A named genetic type with its own history and agronomic characteristics. |
| Origin | Colombia, Huila | Where a coffee was grown, not what genetic variety it is. |
| Lot | A named farm harvest | A particular commercial coffee whose characteristics reflect its specific production and post-harvest history. |
Arabica's major genetic story
World Coffee Research describes the historically important Typica and Bourbon groups as genetically related groups that emerged through the movement of coffee from Ethiopia to Yemen and then into other growing regions. Importantly, a genetic group is not identical to one named variety: for example, SL28 belongs to the Bourbon-related side of the Bourbon-Typica grouping, while SL34 is Typica-related.
Featured varieties
Typica
A historically important tall Arabica variety with low yield and broad global influence.
Read Typica →Bourbon
A foundational Arabica variety from which several important descendants developed.
Read Bourbon →Caturra
A compact natural mutation of Bourbon that became important in the Americas.
Read Caturra →Catuaí
A productive, compact variety developed in Brazil and widely planted in Latin America.
Read Catuaí →SL28
A famous Kenyan selection associated with drought tolerance and high cup-quality potential.
Read SL28 →SL34
A tall Kenyan selection with high cup-quality potential and major disease susceptibility.
Read SL34 →Geisha / Gesha
The Panamanian T2722 lineage became famous for exceptional high-altitude cup potential.
Read Geisha →Why varieties matter
- Agronomy: varieties differ in stature, yield, disease response and environmental adaptation.
- Genetics: breeding can introduce traits such as disease resistance or compact growth.
- Cup potential: genetics can influence potential, but does not guarantee a particular taste.
- Traceability: a named variety can make a coffee's story more precise when the producer can verify the planting material.
The variety catalogue is expanding. Future releases will add more Arabica, Robusta and interspecific varieties, with dedicated profiles and relationship links.