Bourbon Coffee Bean Flavor Profile and Introduction

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FrontStreet Coffee · Introduction to the Bourbon Coffee Variety

Bourbon coffee (French: Café Bourbon) is a coffee produced from Arabica coffee trees of the Bourbon cultivar. Bourbon coffee was originally cultivated on Réunion Island, which was formerly known as Île Bourbon before 1789. It was later occupied by the French and connected to the African continent and Latin America. It is now one of the two most popular Arabica coffee production regions in the world. Bourbon coffee is typically grown at altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 6,500 feet (1,062–1,972 meters).

Bourbon Variety Details

Variety: Bourbon

Related to: Original variety

Origin: Île Bourbon (Bourbon Island)

Best grown at: 800 meters and above

Type: Original variety

Commonly found in: Various coffee-growing regions worldwide suitable for cultivation

Main color: Red, yellow, and orange, but primarily red

Bean size: Medium

Leaf characteristics: Broad and short

The Bourbon variety, native to Bourbon Island in the Indian Ocean (now called Réunion Island), is a sub-variety that mutated from Typica. Along with Typica, it belongs to the oldest existing coffee varieties. When the green cherries mature, they turn bright red, while the Yellow Bourbon variety is a hybrid of Bourbon with other varieties. Due to its relatively low yield and poor resistance to wind and rain, it has not been widely cultivated. However, when grown in high-altitude regions, it exhibits excellent flavor characteristics and has become more common in recent years.

Flavor Characteristics

Flavor profile: Sweet and smooth fruit sweetness, distinct nutty flavors, balanced and gentle acidity, with weak and clean bitterness. It contains rich chocolate aroma and nutty flavors, with a bright and refreshing taste.

Special Notes

The Bourbon variety originated from Bourbon Island or Ethiopia and is susceptible to pests and diseases, resulting in lower yields. Some data indicate that Yellow Bourbon has higher yields than red and orange Bourbon varieties, but red Bourbon remains the most common variety. Bourbon has close genetic relationships with SL28, Typica, and Cattura. Because it produces lower yields in suitable environments, it often results in very high-quality cup profiles (evidence shows that lower yields tend to produce higher quality, as plants can more effectively absorb soil nutrients).

The typical cup characteristics of Bourbon are low body, balanced, and distinctly sweet, making it an excellent base bean for espresso blends. FrontStreet Coffee's Brazil Queen Estate Yellow Bourbon, available at FrontStreet Coffee stores, is a single-origin bean. Coffee enthusiasts interested in the Bourbon coffee variety can purchase and try it.

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