Coffee Varieties: Origins and Genetic Breeding - Complete Guide to Coffee Bean Types, Cultivation, Performance, and Flavor Characteristics

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Coffee Origins and Genetic Breeding

"Coffee, is it just a beverage?!" Coffee is truly just a beverage—it's just that the people who drink it are too complicated!

Coffee Varieties

Coffee belongs to the Rubiaceae family, genus Coffea, as evergreen shrubs. There are approximately 125 species under the Coffea genus, distributed in subgenus Coffeae (25 in Africa and 55 in Madagascar, Mascarene and Comoros groups) and subgenus Baracoffeae with 7 species. Among these, only three have commercial value—Arabica (Coffea Arabica), Robusta (Coffea canephora, also known as Coffea Robusta), and Liberica (Coffea Liberica). These three varieties are called the "three major native coffee species."

Arabica accounts for approximately 70% of world production, with specialty coffee being the main demand; Robusta accounts for 27%, mainly used for instant and canned coffee, with caffeine content twice that of Arabica; Liberica, due to its susceptibility to leaf rust disease and poor flavor, is only traded domestically in countries like West Africa's Suriname, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire, and is not popular worldwide.

Java is a selection variety from the Gesha local variety Abysinia! Heirloom is a group of wild varieties! Heirloom Mocha is a Bourbon mutation!

Elephant Bean

Arabica Coffee

Sub-population Typica • Variety group Typica • Variety group Bourbon • Sub-population Gesha • Variety group Geisha • Sub-population Heirloom

Sub-species (group) Typica

Hybrid varieties: Sumatra, Bergendal, Rume Sudan, Amarello de Botocatú, Blawan Paumah • Mutant varieties: Criollo, Kent, Maragogipe, Pache Común, Villalobos, Blue Mountain, San Ramón, Mokka, Arabigo, São Bernando, Pluma Hidago, Garundang, Chickumalgu, Creole, Villasarchi.

Variety (group) Bourbon

Hybrid varieties: N39, Maraguez, Arusha, Jackson, K20, K7, Kenya Selected (K.S), SL3 • Mutant varieties: Caturra, Pacas, Pointu, Semperflorens, SL34, Tekisic.

Sub-species (group) Typica hybrid varieties

Interspecific hybrid varieties: ◆Kalimas, Kawisari, S795, S288 (× C. liberica), ◆Aria, Bogor Prada, Devamachy, Icatú (Cartimor x Catuai) (× C. canephora), ◆Sarchimor (Villa Sarchi × Catimor)

Sub-species (group) Typica hybrid varieties

Intraspecific hybrid varieties: Acaiá, Mondo Novo (Sumatra × red Bourbon), Pache Colis (Pache Común × Caturra), Catimor (Cauvery, ICAFE 95, Lempira, Oro Azteca, Colombia, IHCAFE 90) (Caturra × HdT), Catuaí Amarillo, Garnica (Mundo Novo × Yellow Caturra), Maracatu (Maragogipe × Caturra), Ouro Verde (red Catuaí × Acaiá), Pacamara (Maragogipe × Pacas), Sarchimo IAPAR 95 (HdT × Villasarchi), Rasuna

Interspecific Hybrid Varieties from Arabica and Robusta Crosses

●【Timor】Timor is a natural interspecific hybrid between Arabica and Robusta, also called Tim Tim or Bor Bor coffee. With 44 chromosomes, it is an Arabica coffee. Discovered in the 1940s in Indonesia's Timor, it has strong resistance to leaf rust disease—the most widely used rust-resistant germplasm Hibrido de Timor (HdT). It is cold-resistant and high-yielding—with sturdy trees, strong trunks and drooping branches that allow nutrients to disperse effectively. Timor coffee has a moderate to full-bodied flavor with vibrant yet subdued acidity. During harvesting and processing, it occasionally develops mold and certain defects.

●【Catimor】A hybrid variety of Caturra and Timor. Discovered in Portugal in 1959. The flavor is distinct and easy to distinguish, bitter and acidic with a slight astringency, often with a salty aftertaste. In the Timor family, it shows Robusta's influence of low acidity and high bitterness, emitting spicy herbal and fruit peel aromas. It can be planted at high density and has strong resistance to leaf rust disease, making it a high-yielding variety. Oro Azteca is a dwarf selection. In the past, Latin American countries extensively planted Catimor based on agricultural experts' recommendations, but after ten years, it was proven that their advice was wrong because coffee farmers couldn't sell their coffee beans at suitable prices.

●【Oro Azteca Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Selected by Mexico's INIFAP using the pedigree method. Dwarf, green-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and medium cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude.

●【Costa Rica 95 Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Bred by Costa Rica's ICAFE Coffee Research Institute using pedigree selection. Dwarf, brown-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and poor cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude in acidic soil.

●【T5175 Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Selected by Costa Rica's ICAFE Coffee Research Institute using pedigree method but not released for commercial production. Dwarf, dark brown-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and poor cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 4000-5000 plants/hectare, extremely high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1000 meters altitude.

●【IHCAFE 90 Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Bred by Honduras's IHCAFE Coffee Research Institute using pedigree selection. Dwarf, dark brown-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and poor cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 4000-5000 plants/hectare, extremely high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1000 meters altitude in acidic soil. Very similar to T5175.

●【Lempira Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Bred by Honduras's IHCAFE Coffee Research Institute using pedigree selection. Dwarf, brown-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and medium to low cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1000 meters altitude in acidic soil. Very similar to Costa Rica 95.

●【Catisic Catimor】A hybrid variety of Timor hybrid 832/1 and Caturra. Bred by El Salvador's PROMECAFE Coffee Research Institute ISIC. Dwarf, brown-topped, high-yielding, with medium to small beans and poor cup quality. Planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude in acidic soil. Highly similar to Costa Rica 95.

●【Colombia】Also known as Variedad Colombia, it has caramel and chocolate sweetness, bright and rich aroma. A hybrid variety of Caturra and Timor, with strong resistance to leaf rust disease and high yield, making it popular on small farms. Developed in Colombia. Unlike Catimor, this variety is a combination of many descendants. Castillo is the best selection among them.

●【Marsellesa Sarchimor】A hybrid variety of Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi CIFC 971/10, selected by Nicaragua's ECOM-CIRAD using pedigree method. Dwarf, green-topped, with medium to small beans, quite high-yielding, high nutrient requirements, resistance to leaf rust disease and coffee berry borer, tolerance to coffee berry disease, susceptible to nematodes. Medium to high cup quality with high acidity. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude, with planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare. Marsellesa Sarchimor is quite resistant to leaf rust disease and coffee berry borer due to Timor, and is also produced in India besides Costa Rica.

●【Obata Rojo Sarchimor】A hybrid variety of Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi CIFC 971/10, selected by Brazil's IAC using pedigree method in 2000, commercially released by Costa Rica's coffee research institute ICAFE in 2014. Dwarf, green-topped, with large beans, quite high-yielding, medium cup quality, high nutrient requirements, low resistance to leaf rust disease. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude.

●【Cuscatleco Sarchimor】A hybrid selection variety of T5296 (Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi), bred by El Salvador's PROMECAFE Coffee Research Institute. Dwarf, with planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, medium cup quality. Low resistance to leaf rust disease and nematodes, medium yield similar to Caturra. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude.

●【Parainema Sarchimor】A hybrid selection variety of T5296 (Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi), selected by Honduras's IHCAFE Coffee Research Institute using pedigree method. Dwarf, with planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, large beans, medium cup quality. Low resistance to leaf rust disease and nematodes, medium tolerance to berry disease, medium yield similar to Caturra. Suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude.

●【IAPAR 59 Sarchimor】A hybrid selection variety of Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi, selected by Brazil's IAPAR Research Institute using pedigree method. Dwarf, with planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, brown-topped, medium to low cup quality. Low resistance to leaf rust disease and nematodes, susceptible to berry disease (CBD), medium yield similar to Caturra, high nutrient requirements, suitable for cultivation at 800-1200 meters altitude.

●【T5296 Sarchimor】A hybrid selection variety of Timor Hybrid 832/2 x Villa Sarchi, selected by Brazil's PROMECAFE using pedigree method but not released due to unstable offspring. Green-topped, dwarf, with planting density similar to Caturra, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, large beans, medium cup quality. Low resistance to leaf rust disease, medium tolerance to berry disease (CBD), medium yield similar to Caturra, high nutrient requirements, suitable for cultivation at 600-1200 meters altitude.

【Centroamerica H1】A hybrid variety of Sarchimor T5296 x wild Rume Sudan, dwarf, green-topped, with planting density similar to Bourbon, 3000-4000 plants/hectare, medium to large beans, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to nematodes, tolerance to coffee berry disease, extremely high yield. Medium to high cup quality with high acidity. Extremely high nutrient requirements. Suitable for cultivation at 800-1500 meters altitude.

【Milenio H10】A hybrid variety of Sarchimor T5296 x wild Rume Sudan, dwarf, green-topped, with planting density of 4000-5000 plants/hectare, medium to large beans, low resistance to leaf rust disease, susceptible to nematodes, tolerance to coffee berry disease, extremely high yield. Excellent cup quality with high acidity. Suitable for cultivation at 800-1500 meters altitude.

【Mundo Maya EC16】A hybrid variety of Sarchimor T5296 x Ethiopian wild variety ET01, selected from F1 by Nicaragua's ECOM-CIRAD, dwarf, brown-topped, with planting density of 4000-5000 plants/hectare, medium to large beans, excellent cup quality. Low resistance to leaf rust disease and nematodes, tolerance to coffee berry disease, high yield, high nutrient requirements. Suitable for cultivation at 800-1500 meters altitude.

【Nayarita EC19】A hybrid variety of Naryelis x Ethiopian wild variety ET26, selected from F1 by Nicaragua's ECOM-CATIE, Naryelis is a descendant of Timor Hybrid, dwarf, green-topped, with planting density of 3000-4000 plants/hectare, medium to large beans, excellent cup quality. Susceptible to leaf rust disease and nematodes, considerable tolerance to coffee berry disease, high yield, high nutrient requirements. Suitable for cultivation above 1200 meters altitude.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

●【Typica】The variety closest to the native species, originally from Kaffa, Ethiopia and Yemen. An ancestor of all varieties, Typica has been planted, hybridized, and refined for hundreds of years. Overall excellent cup quality, showing excellent purity and body, with lemon acidity and sweet aftertaste. Brown-topped, large and slightly elongated beans, like stretched eggs, called Arabigo or criollo in Central America. Low resistance to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematodes, making care difficult, low fruit yield, plus long harvest period (harvested once every 2 years), resulting in low yield. Planting density similar to Bourbon, 3000-4000 plants/hectare.

【Typica】Tree height 3-4 meters, conical shape, with trunk and branches at an angle of about 50-70 degrees. Narrow leaves, bronze color. Berries more elliptical than other varieties. Typica has genetically evolved with many variant varieties better adapted to surrounding environments, producing new characteristics, often considered new varieties, such as Mexican Typica and Hawaiian Typica are slightly different, thus having different names: Criollo (South America), Arabigo (Americas), Kona (Hawaii), Pluma Hidalgo (Mexico), Garundang (Sumatra), Blue Mountain (Jamaica, Papua New Guinea), São Bernado & San Ramón (Brazil), Kent and Chickumalgu (India).

Typica clean and sweet

Interspecific Hybrid Varieties from Arabica and Liberica Crosses

【S795】Local name: Jember. This variety was bred in the 1940s in India by crossing Kent (Typica selection, tall, high-yielding, extremely resistant to leaf rust disease) with Liberica coffee (Coffea Liberica). Named Jember in 1955 by Indonesia's Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI), widely planted in India, Indonesia, Yemen and Ethiopia. Has some resistance to coffee leaf rust disease, but resistance decreases over time. Has maple syrup or brown sugar-like flavor.

Varieties Derived from Arabica

•【Villalobos】A branch of the Typica family, with elegant floral notes, sometimes even citrusy. This variety was brought to Indonesia by Dutch merchants in the late 17th century. We appreciate its subtle and exquisite acidity. Lobos estate beans particularly have strong aromas of drupes like apricots, peaches and plums.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

●【Bourbon】A variety mutated from Typica, equally closest to native species as Typica. Bourbon spread from southwestern Ethiopia to Yemen, and in 1715 and 1718, Bourbon was brought from Yemen to Bourbon Island (now Réunion). Bourbon produces 20-30% more fruit than Typica.

●【Bourbon】Some coffee experts believe Bourbon is nothing more than a natural variant of Typica and not particularly special! But this is not the case. Bourbon has its own characteristics, with the same high-quality mouthfeel as Typica, with wine-like acidity, sweet and complex aftertaste, so exquisite—it's the Pinot Noir of coffee. The plants are fragile and don't produce as much fruit as other varieties, but they are worth the effort. The cup quality of Bourbon-type varieties is rich and classic. It's the coffee among coffees. Its charm has won unanimous praise from both strict critics and beginners. Typica and Bourbon can be distinguished by the leaves and bean appearance of the coffee tree. Today, Latin American coffee is largely developed from Typica and Bourbon varieties. 97.55% of Brazil's coffee varieties come from Typica and Bourbon. Latin American coffee breeding has used Bourbon's narrow genetic base to create new varieties with various characteristics, performing well in both yield and quality.

【Bourbon】Bourbon trees are vigorous, 3000-4000 plants/hectare, with green young leaves, slightly serrated green leaves are relatively wide, coffee beans are smaller and produced more densely, so the bean appearance is relatively smaller and rounder than Typica. Fruits come in red, yellow and orange, varying by variety and soil texture, with red fruits being most common. Although Bourbon has higher yield than Typica, the harvest period is also 2 years, making it a low-yield variety, extremely susceptible to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematode infection. To produce uniquely superior flavored beans, it's best to grow at 1000-2200 meters altitude.

Bourbon complex acidity, caramel sweetness, balanced Yellow Bourbon Round Bourbon Pointed Bourbon Pointu

Yellow Bourbon

【Tekisic】A green-topped tall selection from Bourbon, selected by El Salvador's Coffee Research Institute ISIC. Small fruit, medium to low yield, medium to small beans, with very good special flavor, layered acidity and obvious thick mouthfeel. This coffee has strong sweetness, tending toward caramel and brown sugar flavors. Planting density 3000-4000 plants/hectare, medium nutrient requirements, suitable for cultivation above 1300 meters altitude. Extremely susceptible to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematode infection.

【Villa Sarchi】This Bourbon dwarf mutation variety has elegant acidity, strong fruit tones and excellent sweetness. Grown in the town of Sarchi, Costa Rica, susceptible to most coffee diseases and pests.

【Villa Sarchi】-Bourbon variant. This green-topped dwarf natural mutation of Bourbon was discovered in Costa Rica in the 1950s-60s. Like Caturra and Pacas, it's caused by a single gene mutation that makes the plant dwarf. Medium cup quality, small beans, medium yield similar to Caturra, high nutrient requirements. Susceptible to coffee leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation above 1300 meters altitude.

【Venecia】A green-topped dwarf natural mutation of Bourbon. Medium cup quality, large beans, medium yield similar to Caturra, high nutrient requirements. Susceptible to coffee leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematodes. Suitable for cultivation above 800 meters altitude.

"SL28" and "SL34" - Bourbon hybrid derivatives. Kenya's Scott Laboratory used Bourbon offspring and heirloom for hybridization, producing new varieties SL28 and SL34 with unknown parentage, excellent flavor with blackcurrant acidity. 90% of coffee produced in Kenya is SL28 and SL34. SL-28 is extremely drought-resistant, susceptible to CBD, CLR or BBC diseases. Failed in the mission to create high yield but successfully created delicious beans with strong citrus, sweet, balanced and complex aromas. SL34's flavor characteristic is its complex lemon acidity, thick mouthfeel, pure, sweet, performs well in medium to high altitude areas. SL34 is extremely drought-resistant and more disease-resistant than SL28.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

●【Caturra】A single-gene natural dwarf mutation of red Bourbon with green top, 5000-6000 plants/hectare, no shade needed, medium to small beans, higher yield than Bourbon. First discovered in Brazil in 1937, commercial planting began in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1937. Performs best in Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Altitude of 1500-1700 meters can produce the best quality and quantity. Caturra's characteristic is bright acidity and low to medium body. It has less clarity and sweetness than its parent Bourbon, medium to high cup quality, with lemon or citrus acidity in mouthfeel, not as sweet as Typica and Bourbon, because Caturra's sweetness depends on the frequency and dosage of fertilization by growers. It has high yield capacity, but to maintain yield, continuous fertilization and pruning are required, so the trees are dwarf with many branches and compact shape. Slightly serrated green leaves are relatively wide. Although yield capacity has increased, due to the 2-year harvest period and high care costs, plus extreme susceptibility to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematode infection, yield is still limited.

Interspecific Hybrid Varieties from Caturra Crosses

Casiopea is a hybrid variety of Caturra and Ethiopian wild variety ET41. Dwarf, green-topped, with medium to large beans, extremely superior cup quality. Altitude of 1200 meters produces the best quality and quantity. High yield but susceptible to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematode infection, high nutrient requirements.

H3 is a hybrid variety of Caturra and Ethiopian wild variety E531. Dwarf, green-topped, with large beans, medium to high cup quality, suitable for cultivation above 1200 meters altitude. High yield but susceptible to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematode infection, high nutrient requirements.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

●【Java】Originally from the coffee forests of Ethiopia, then brought to Indonesia for selection, thus named Java. Later sent to Cameroon for further selection of plant vigor and tolerance to berry disease. Molecular marker genetic fingerprinting indicates that Java is a selection variety from the Ethiopian local variety Abysinia. It was introduced to Costa Rica CIRAD by breeder Benoit Bertrand in 1991. In 2016, Panama became the first Central American country to officially recognize Java. It represents an interesting Geisha alternative variety, with good cup quality, suitable for small farmers, with better tolerance to coffee leaf rust disease and berry disease.

Arabica variety Java. Tall tree, brown-topped, medium to high cup quality, medium to low yield, 4000-5000 plants/hectare, medium tolerance to leaf rust disease and berry disease, susceptible to nematodes, suitable for cultivation above 1200 meters altitude, low nutrient requirements, large beans.

Varieties Derived from Arabica

●【Mundo Novo】A natural hybrid variety of Sumatra (Typica) and red Bourbon, native to Brazil, now spread worldwide. Tree height over 3 meters, making harvesting difficult. Lacks sweetness in mouthfeel with bitterness appearing in the aftertaste. Advantage is resistance to most diseases, late harvest period convenient for process adjustment, high yield capacity, making it a high-yield variety. Suitable growing altitude is 1000-1200 meters.

Varieties Derived from Arabica

●【Catuai】Bred in 1949 by crossing Mundo Novo (Typica x Bourbon) CP 374-19 with yellow Caturra (Bourbon mutation) C476-11. Released in 1972 after pedigree selection (continuous single-plant generation selection) by Brazil's IAC. Green-topped, with red and yellow fruits, also has green variety Ouro Verde, high acidity, yellow beans have impurity-like petroleum mouthfeel when cooled. Has many excellent selection lines in different countries. Catuai accounts for nearly half of the planting area in Honduras. IHCAFE researchers actively seek improvements to Catuai, including hybrid combinations between Catuai and Timor. Catuai is also important in Costa Rica, with yellow fruit Catuai widely planted after its launch in 1985. Catuai was introduced to Guatemala in 1970 and now accounts for about 20% of national production. Catuai is barely cultivated in other Central American countries.

●【Catuai】Caturra's plants are dwarf while Mundo novo's plants are tall. After hybridization, the plant shape is small and compact, allowing dense planting and convenient harvesting. Catuai derives from Guarani multomom, meaning very good, good cup quality but not too good. Yield and sweetness performance are closely related to fertilization techniques. Higher planting density, proper fertilization can achieve high yield capacity, trees are durable, can withstand wind and rain damage, short harvest period of only 1 year, but disadvantages are extreme susceptibility to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematodes, short lifespan of only 10 years. Suitable for cultivation above 1300 meters altitude.

Catuai soft body, throat feel like warm water, delicate aftertaste changes, orange fruit sweetness, tropical fruits, raspberries, maple sweetness, juicy feeling, faint wine aroma, white bitter melon, baked biscuit aroma, caramel, vanilla, elegant and detailed aftertaste, long and multi-layered mouthfeel.

Varieties Evolved from Typica

【Maragogype】A tall natural mutation variety of Typica, 3000-4000 plants/hectare. Discovered in Maragogype, Bahia, Brazil, brown-topped, extremely large beans, thus called Elephant Bean. Low nutrient requirements, very low yield. Suitable for cultivation above 1300 meters altitude. Very mild mouthfeel with slight sweetness and acidity, not easy to roast, recommended light roast because dark roast cannot express its characteristics.

Varieties Derived from Arabica

【Maracaturra】Also known as Maracatu, is a hybrid variety of Maragogype and Caturra. Native to Brazil, known for large leaves, large flowers and large fruits. Today, it grows in Central America, mainly in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Mexico. Maracaturra gives bright, complex acidity and fruit aromas.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

【Pacas】A green-topped natural variation of Bourbon, discovered in El Salvador in 1949. Dwarf plants, classified as dwarf varieties like Caturra, medium to small beans, medium yield, medium nutrient requirements, good quality at high altitude. Currently 68% of El Salvador belongs to Bourbon varieties, Pacas accounts for 29% of El Salvador's production, more wind-resistant than Bourbon, flavor similar to Bourbon, susceptible to most coffee diseases and pests. Suitable for cultivation above 1300 meters altitude.

Varieties Derived from Arabica

【Pacamara】A large fruit dwarf variety created by El Salvador's Coffee Research Center by crossing Pacas as male parent with Maragogype. Leaf tips green or bronze color, appeared in El Salvador in the 1950s, with unique chocolate and citrus fruit aromas, extremely large beans, excellent cup quality, outstanding flavor, wonderful balance and floral notes. Pacamara produces the highest cup quality from the highest possible altitude. However, due to susceptibility to leaf rust disease, berry disease and nematodes, medium yield similar to Caturra, mainly produced in El Salvador. Variety is not homogeneous, with large generation-to-generation variation, 10-12% of offspring revert to Pacas.

Pacamara citrus floral aroma Orange-red variety Purple-red variety

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

●【Geisha】A native sub-population group from Ethiopia, larger beans, a unique coffee variety to Panama, has shined in specialty coffee in recent years, earning the title of "Queen of Specialty Coffee" in just a few years on the market, currently low production and high price, with a record auction price of $350.25 USD in 2013. Coffee farmers say it was only discovered in recent years, but this is not the case. Geisha appeared in Panama as early as the 1960s, and many breeding units in Panama had many Geisha seeds. In fact, Geisha was discovered in Gesha, southwestern Ethiopia in 1931, with many different local names. In 1931 and 1932, it was exported to Kenya under the names Abyssinian and Geisha respectively. In 1936, Kenya sent harvested Geisha seeds to Uganda and Tanzania for planting. In July 1953, Tanzania sent offspring trees to Costa Rica, keeping the parent plants in their own country. In 1960, Panama officially cultivated Geisha through CATIE (Tropical Agronomic Center for Research and Education).

【Geisha】Geisha trees are slender and tall (up to 15 feet), with spreading branches and leaves, long leaves, green and red, late fruiting. Resistant to leaf rust disease, susceptible to berry disease and nematodes, medium to small fruits, medium to low yield. Panama Geisha T2722 is very unique, regarded as coffee from another dimension. It's like Sichuan pepper or the Sun Ra Arkestra jazz ensemble, complex and otherworldly. The expense of Geisha coffee, besides high altitude and limited yield, is also because it's difficult to grow. Compared to other varieties, leaf photosynthesis is very weak, root system is underdeveloped, and ability to absorb water and nutrients is weaker. A Geisha plant produces only half the beans of Catuai, which may be why it produces its unique flavor. To highlight Geisha's characteristics and aroma, roast to the verge of second crack, verge of second crack and first crack of second crack are commonly used, which can bring out the bean's own characteristics. Too light will produce miscellaneous flavors, too deep will damage floral aroma and fruit acidity.

【Geisha】Geisha's dry aroma is very uplifting and bright, with characteristics of rose and jasmine, can also bring out pomelo and citrus aromas. Light roast has nutty aroma; wet aroma also has hazelnut flavor, and more floral characteristics emerge. In terms of mouthfeel and flavor, the initial stage may be somewhat gentle and reserved compared to the previous uplifting aroma. As it cools slightly, floral and fruit flavors gradually rise with decreasing temperature. Cold aroma is exceptionally outstanding (sweet dried fruit, rosehip, orange jam, strawberry jam, hints of pine, cherry, vanilla, rose flavors gradually fade, can derive lemon-like fruit aroma). This is a coffee that can be praised with numerous adjectives, with sweet aftertaste. This (flavor) tests the brightness of this coffee, especially in light roast situations.

【Geisha】Offspring genetic diversity is uniform and stable. It's picky in narrow microclimates, only growing when it wants, where it wants, and how it wants. But whether you plant it in Indonesia or the Americas, it remains thoroughly itself. Beans produced in high altitude areas have good aroma, sweet and clean characteristic aftertaste, with jasmine, oolong tea, peach and honey aromas, bright fruit acidity like tamarind, mango, the entire aroma and caramel sweetness wrapped together, with obvious fruit acidity on the tongue tip at entry, gentle and round in the mouth, strong sweetness and aftertaste, also has bergamot aftertaste. The lower the temperature, the more delicate the acidity, with quite lasting charm. Characteristics can compare favorably with Ethiopian washed beans. But its flavor changes drastically in different cultivation areas. To maintain its characteristics, it must be planted on 1200-meter mountainsides. Caffeine content is 30% less than most Arabica varieties.

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Geisha sweet, citrus, fruit tones

Ethiopian Heirloom coffee variety group can be said to be the most distinctive and delicious coffee in the world. The beauty of this variety lies in their mystery. They are wildflower varieties, descended from the natural forest coffee of southwestern Ethiopia. Each village has its own variety, passed down for over a hundred years and shaped by soil, altitude and weather conditions. The variety most similar to Typica originated in Yemen. Eventually spread to Latin America, with over 1000 Heirloom varieties currently in production. Ethiopian Heirloom varieties produce some of the world's most coveted flavors, depending on processing techniques. Dry-processed coffee is usually medium-bodied with fruity/red wine tones. Wet-processed coffee is light-bodied yet has complex floral and citrus tones.

Varieties Evolved from Arabica

【Ethiopian Heirloom】Yirgacheffe

Yirgacheffe delicate, tea-like aroma and pure citrus flavor

Coffee Plant Genetics

• Coffee plant genetics are quite complex. Except for Arabica coffee with 2n=4x=44 (heterotetraploid) chromosomes, most others have 2n=22. Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora, 2n=2x=22) grows well and can be used as material for genetic research. All the above mutations involve single factor pairs; other multi-factor pair mutations have not yet been discovered.

• Chromosomes in early meiosis are heterochromatic, with darker staining near the centromere and lighter staining in other parts.

• Except for Arabica coffee from Ethiopian highlands, 90% of which is self-compatible, all other coffee varieties are self-incompatible. After several generations of self-pollination, Arabica coffee's growth vigor and yield are unaffected.

• Arabica coffee has more mutations, possibly due to its ease of self-pollination, making recessive mutations more likely to appear.

Arabica coffee chromosome mutations include: a. Hexaploid (2n=66) Bullata form. Leaves thicker and wider than tetraploid, fewer stomata, less fruit. b. Octoploid (2n=88) Bullata form. Leaves smaller, thicker and tougher than hexaploid, even fewer stomata, even less fruit. c. Diploid (2n=22) Monosperma form. Leaves thinner and narrower than diploid, more stomata, even less fruit, only one seed per fruit. d. Somatic chromosome variations.

Arabica coffee factor mutations include: a. About one-third of known mutations are dominant, one-third are incomplete dominant, one-third are recessive. b. Recessive mutations also have good offspring: Typica→bourbon, Bourbon→Laurina, Bourbon→Semperflorens. c. Dominant excellent mutations such as maragogype and Caturra.

Arabica coffee factor mutations include: d. Most mutations have pleiotropic effects affecting the whole plant, such as: narrow-leaf mutation, deformed mutation type A, deformed mutation type B, wrinkled-leaf mutation, brown-leaf mutation, short-branch small-leaf mutation, purple-leaf mutation, calyx mutation, multiflower mutation, large-sepal mutation, dwarf mutation, yellow-endosperm mutation, erect mutation, fasciculate mutation, large-type mutation, small-type mutation, yellow-fruit mutation, Laurina coffee, normal-type coffee, etc.

Arabica coffee factor mutations include: e. All factors are quite stable, only the short-branch small-leaf mutation has intermediate types, but still quite obvious. f. Factor epistasis and mutual effects have been discovered. g. Mutation research is quite valuable, some mutations have been bred into economic varieties. h. This research can explore the origin of cultivated varieties. For example, bourbon comes from typica.

Narrow-leaf mutation Angustifolia • Long and narrow leaves, long-lanceolate leaf varieties are the main parent source for breeding new excellent coffee varieties. About 5% of C. arabica seedlings show narrow leaves. • Caused by two pairs of recessive factors ag1 and ag2 • First generation hybrid with normal plants is normal, second generation is 9 normal : 7 narrow-leaf • Now one of the official varieties of Arabica coffee

Deformed mutation Anomala • Mutant plant's tree shape, leaf shape and flowers/fruits are all deformed • Fruits often contain 3-4 seeds, each seed often has 2-3 embryos, thus showing false polyembryony, its factor is a pair of recessive anan

Deformed mutation Anomalis • Its variation is even more extreme than the above deformed type • Leaves often split palmately, large stamens degenerated, fruits large with discoid structures containing several seeds • A pair of incomplete dominant factors AmAm • First generation is intermediate type, often sterile

Brown-leaf mutation Bronze • Normal seedling leaves are green • This mutant's young leaves are brown, old leaves still green • Factor is a pair of dominant, BrBr is dark brown, Brbr is light brown, brbr is green. But there may be other allelic factors affecting brown depth • Leaf color and fruit color are independently inherited, not affecting each other

Calyx mutation Calycanthema • Normal coffee calyx lobes are very small, while this variety's calyx is large like petals • Except for degenerated large stamens, other characteristics are similar to parent Typica • First generation hybrid with normal plants has 50% normal, 50% corolla-like calyx, seems to be backcross result • Therefore hypothesized its factor is a pair of dominant C, cc is normal, Cc is corolla-like calyx, because its large stamens are degenerated, it cannot self-pollinate to obtain CC pure dominant plants

Dwarf mutation Caturra • Plants similar to parent Bourbon but smaller, short internodes, abundant yield, now become cultivated variety • Typica mutation similar varieties include Sao Bernado, San Ramon • Its factor is a pair of dominant CtCt, hybrid with normal plants, first generation are all dwarf Ctct • Backcross with normal ctct gives 50% dwarf (Ctct), 50% normal (ctct) • Backcross with dwarf CtCt gives all dwarf offspring (CtCt and Ctct)

Yellow-endosperm mutation Cera • From Typica • Normal Arabica endosperm is green • This variety's endosperm is yellow, other characteristics same as Arabica • Its factor is allelic recessive gene of green endosperm • CeCeCe, CeCece and Cecece are all green, only cecece is yellow endosperm, and has xenia phenomenon

Wrinkled-leaf mutation Crespa • Small and wrinkled leaves, dwarf plants, very little fruit • A pair of dominant factors CrCr • Initially discovered as single-factor mutation, genotype Crcr • Hybrid with normal plants, offspring half wrinkled-leaf, half normal

Erect mutation Erecta • Normal Arabica incomplete dominant plants have branches at about 65° angle to trunk, this mutant only about 25°, so its branches all grow upward erectly, other characteristics same as normal plants • Erect inheritance is a pair of complete dominant factors ErEr • Heterozygous Erer is also erect, second generation erect:normal is 3:1

Fasciate mutation Fasciata • There are two types of fasciation: one is somatic variation, not inheritable • The one described here is inheritable fasciate mutation • Branches fused into ribbons, leaves densely growing in clusters, petals can increase to 6-12, small stamens increase, stigmas clustered into ribbons, ovary has two rounds of carpels, inner round completely sterile, outer round can produce seeds but of no value, meiosis abnormal, some pollen sterile • Its inheritance is a pair of complete dominant factors, FsFs shows particularly significant variation, Fsfs shows slight fasciation, fsfs is normal

Le Roy Laurina coffee (Laurina; Bourbon Pointu) • Mutated from Bourbon, now a variety var. laurinan DC, dwarf tree shape, conical, smaller leaves, but bean quality is excellent—slightly acidic, low bitterness, delicate, with charming vanilla, citrus, almond and lychee aromas. Yield sometimes abundant, sometimes poor, extremely drought-resistant, very susceptible to leaf rust disease. In 1880, diseases and pests nearly made this variety extinct. • Mutation variety is small-grained coffee, difference from Mokka is that Mocha is round bean, Laurina is pointed at both ends, thus called "Bourbon Pointu". In fact, both come from mutations of the same gene. Both are pleiotropic mutations (one gene causes several morphological changes, such as tree height, internodes, leaves, caffeine content all become dwarf or small; while other mutations only cause a small change, such as fruit color). • Hybrid with normal coffee, first generation all normal, second generation has both normal and dwarf plants • Genetic factor is a pair of recessive lrlr, lacks caffeine synthase, cannot synthesize caffeine from theobromine

【Bourbon Pointu】Coffea arabica var. laurina. In 1771, Leroy discovered this Bourbon mutation on Bourbon Island, bean shape changed from round back to pointed, caffeine content is less than half of Bourbon (1.2-1.6%), only 0.4-0.6%. Generally, low-caffeine coffee varieties don't have good flavor, but Pointu Bourbon breaks this rule with excellent flavor, legendary like Geisha. Weak and low-yield, extremely precious, was once the most expensive and sought-after coffee (about 200-300 euros/kg), setting a record of 80,000 yen/kg in Japan, selling out immediately upon release! Now mostly only supplied to the Japanese market.

Large-type mutation Maragogype • From Typica • This mutant plant's various characteristics are all larger than general coffee, but yield is lower • Genetic factor is a pair of dominant Mg, offspring with normal coffee are all large-type, with higher yield, thus often used as rootstock and hybrid parent

Small-type mutation Mokka ● Naturally mutated from bourbon in Yemen, later spread to Réunion (Bourbon) Island, then transplanted to Brazil, Hawaii, Guatemala and Colombia. This mutant plant is dwarf, small leaves, large glands, small fruits, naturally small and round beans (bean width 0.39-0.43cm), but good quality, low yield. Small Mocha also has small round (male) beans, but proportion is only 2%, much lower than general Arabica's 5-10%. ● Small Mocha in Hawaii was also hybridized with Typica by research institutions, becoming tall Mocha to adapt to Hawaii's Maui island terroir, but bean shape maintains original small cute appearance. Guatemala or Colombia small Mocha may come from Brazil or Hawaii. If from Brazil, it maintains original dwarf characteristics, if from Hawaii, possibly improved tall small Mocha.

Small-type mutation Mokka Genetic combination Its genetic factors are two pairs of factors, one pair is Laurina coffee (Pointu Bourbon) mutation complete recessive factor lrlr, another pair is complete recessive factor momo. • LrLrMoMo; LrlrMoMo are all normal Arabica • LrLrMomo normal but small leaves, slightly larger glands • Lrlrmomo; LrLrmomo grow into dwarf type • lrlrMomo; LrlrMomo Laurina coffee • lrlrmomo standard dwarf small Mocha variety

Mokka was originally a place name, now a flavor, perhaps将来 a scientific revolution. Mocha was once the world's most sought-after coffee bean. The name Mocha coffee originates from the small town of Mocha on Yemen's Red Sea coast. This place monopolized coffee export trade in the 15th century, especially affecting coffee export to the Arabian Peninsula region. This special coffee bean is now called small-grained coffee and still grows on Yemen's hills. It departed from the now abandoned port of Al Mukha, affordable only to the wealthiest people at that time. For a time, all this coffee was supplied to the French royal family for consumption. Although production later increased and prices decreased, this coffee remained expensive and in high demand.

Mokka was originally a place name, now a flavor, perhaps将来 a scientific revolution. Small-grained coffee has been planted and developed in broader regions, but Yemen's varieties may still be the most delicious. Like grapes, these crops absorb nutrients from the soil and become unique flavors that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. Now, Mocha's history has taken a new turn. In 2004, a small-grained coffee from Ethiopia was discovered to have extremely low caffeine content, far less than other coffee varieties. Generally, coffee flavor suffers from decaffeination, so this naturally low-caffeine bean is exciting. In coffee beans there's a chemical called theobromine (also present in cocoa beans), add a methyl group and it becomes caffeine: this chemical process is called methylation. However, in this coffee bean, this process seems limited. Scientists are trying to transfer similar characteristics to other varieties. So perhaps one day, Mocha will mean high-quality low-caffeine coffee.

Short-branch small-leaf mutation Murta & nana • This mutation is a pair of incomplete recessive factors • NaNa is normal Bourbon coffee; Nana is small-leaf plant; nana plant is dwarf, small leaves, few flowers. But this mutation is quite unstable, often with chimeric variations, sometimes appearance is nana but flowers and fruits are Nana, sometimes three traits intermix.

Purple-leaf mutation Purpurascens • Natural Bourbon gene mutation, this mutation has become an official variety Var. purpurascens Cramer. Extensive root system, drought-resistant. • San Ramon is Typica dwarf purple-leaf variety. • Medium plants. Young leaves purple, mature leaves light purple. Light red flowers, young fruits have purple stripes, mature fruits are dark red, low yield, resistant to fruit rot disease, not resistant to rust disease.

Purple-leaf mutation Purpurascens • Small and tight beans, rich in lipids, strong and distinct entry taste, from sweet and spicy to floral, then from floral to fruit aroma, like a magician, requiring taste buds to focus on tasting, a black coffee that cannot be ignored. Mainly blackberry, raisin, floral and lemon distinct tones. Light and bright acidity. Smooth. Purple substances may be correlated with coffee aroma and cup quality. Can be used for top grafting to create special flavors and aromas of high-quality varieties. • Its genetic factor is a pair of recessive factors prpr, its effect is weaker than brown factor BrBr but stronger than green factor brbr, offspring mostly continuous inheritance.

Large-sepal mutation Goiaba • From Typica • This mutation has large and persistent sepals • Its inheritance is a pair of recessive factors sdsd, hybrid with normal calyx SdSd, first generation is intermediate Sdsd; second generation becomes 1:2:1 • This factor is completely recessive to corolla-like calyx CC, with C present all are corolla-like calyx

Multiflower mutation Semperflorens • Normal Arabica coffee only flowers 2-4 times from July to October, while this mutant is not sensitive to photoperiod and can flower year-round. Various stages of flowers and fruits can occur on the same plant at the same time, only flowering more from July to October. Yield is lower than red Bourbon and Typica, beans are smaller, discovered in Brazil in 1934. Can be used for top grafting excellent varieties to promote multiple annual harvest periods. • Its inheritance is a pair of recessive factors sfsf, hybrid with normal SfSf, first generation normal; second generation becomes 3:1.

Normal-type coffee Typica and Bourbon • Except for yield, these two varieties have almost no appearance differences • Typica is dominant TT, while Bourbon is its recessive mutation tt, with abundant yield • Using small-leaf mutation nana and normal Typica hybridization can illustrate: TT is epistatic to nana, tt shows Na dominant to na • Tt nana and tt Nana are both semi-dwarf plants, former has larger leaves, using semi-dwarf hybrid Murta (tt Nana) can detect genetic differences between Typica and Bourbon

Typica (TT NaNa) × nana (tt nana) First generation is Tt Nana normal Second generation is: TT NaNa & Tt NaNa ------------- normal Typica TT Nana, Tt nana & Tt Nana---- very close to Typica TT nana----------- very close to Typica (similar to Bourbon) tt NaNa ------------------------ normal Bourbon Tt nana ----------------------- larger leaf plant Mura tt Nana -------------------- standard small-leaf plant Mura tt nana ------------------- standard dwarf small-leaf nana

Yellow-fruit mutation Xanthocarpa • The first discovered variation from Typica, fruits are yellow when mature, early maturing, abundant yield, other characteristics similar to Typica • Yellow-fruit varieties may have special substances or special gene expression that significantly enhance aroma, and there may be specific correlation with coffee aroma and cup quality. Coffee yellow-fruit mutant plants hybridized with purple-leaf mutant plants, yellow fruits obtained in F2 generation purple-leaf mutant plants, fruits show darker yellow color, caused by purple-leaf mutation gene (prpr) and yellow-fruit mutation gene (xcxc). Yellow-fruit mutation gene is beneficial for increasing yield, Yellow Bourbon and Yellow Caturra both show this phenomenon, useful in breeding. • But some experimental findings: analysis of red, yellow, orange fruit offspring of Bourbon (Xcxc x Xcxc) shows xanthocarpa allele's effect on yield is not significant. Yellow fruits mature earlier than red fruits, orange fruits in between.

Yellow-fruit mutation Xanthocarpa • Its inheritance is a pair of recessive factors xcxc, hybrid with normal red fruit (XcXc), first generation is orange fruit (Xcxc), sometimes shows yellow stripes, hybrid with purple fruit first generation is dark yellow fruit. • Varieties with discovered yellow-fruit mutation: 1. var. typica forma xanthocarpa Krug. 2. var. bourbon forma xanthocarpa K. M. C. 3. Var. caturra forma xanthocarpa K. M. C.

Mutations of other coffee species ●Coffea canephora 1. Fasciation is a pair of recessive factors 2. Small-leaf mutation (nana) is a pair of complete recessive factors 3. Narrow-leaf mutation (Angustifolia) similar to Arabica mutation 4. Yellow-fruit mutation (Xanthocarpa) similar to Arabica mutation ● C. congensis This species has narrow-leaf mutation and other leaf and flower deformities ● C. deweveri This species has light red flower mutation ● C. liberica No mutation varieties discovered

Arabica and Robusta coffee interspecific hybridization ● Purpose is to improve Arabica coffee's disease resistance and vigor or improve Robusta's cup quality. Arabusta is a fertile interspecific F1 hybrid, offspring of induced autotetraploid coffee beans from Arabica and robusta. ● Hibrido de Timor is Arabica x robusta, similar to Arabica coffee's 44-chromosome natural hybrid, resistant to coffee leaf rust disease (Hemileia vastatrix). ● A new dwarf hybrid variety called Ruiru Eleven was successfully developed in 1985 by the Coffee Research Station in Kenya. Ruiru Eleven is resistant to coffee berry disease and coffee leaf rust disease, it's high-yielding and suitable for planting at twice the normal density. ● Icatu is a repeatedly backcrossed interspecific hybrid variety: result of Arabica x robusta then hybridized with Arabica coffee varieties Mundo Novo and Caturra.

Arabica and Robusta coffee interspecific hybridization ● Techniques used in coffee breeding include: 1. Controlled pollination and seed propagation, 2. Clonal propagation. Traditional methods: grafting, cutting and new methods (tissue culture) propagation: in vitro rapid propagation, somatic embryogenesis induction. • In recent years, genetic manipulation of small-grained coffee using recombinant DNA technology and tissue culture techniques has been conducted. Introducing new genes to resist pests or herbicides or encoding genes to obtain high-quality cup quality, with new technology it's possible to produce offspring with any combination of desired functions.

Coffee interspecific hybridization • Coffee interspecific hybridization has low fruit set rate, slightly better with Arabica as female parent 1. C. canephora × arabica var. Mokka leaves are intermediate, large glands, proving Mokka (momo) is incomplete dominant 2. C. canephora × arabica var. Polysperma (FsFs) intermediate slightly fasciated shows Fs is incomplete dominant, another tetraploid offspring is more normal 3. C. deweveri var. Excelsa (yellow seeds) × arabica var. Bourbon (green seeds) offspring are yellow seeds 4. C. Liberica × arabica natural hybrid F1 can self-pollinate 5. C. deweveri × arabica natural hybrid can produce tetraploid

Coffee interspecific grafting ∎ Rootstock ➢ Nemaya C. canephora T3561 x C. canephora T3751 ● Robusta variety used for grafting rootstock because of high resistance to nematodes. Arabica varieties (any variety) can be grafted onto Nemaya rootstock to resist nematodes. ● Grafting Arabica varieties onto Robusta rootstock has no effect on cup quality.

Most Expensive Global Auction Coffee

● In 2010, Panama Geisha coffee created an auction record of $170.2 per pound; ● In 2011, the world's most expensive coffee was born, rare Yemen small-grained Mocca beans sold at $211.5 per pound, setting a record price for estate bean auctions. It's reported that this coffee has bold fruit acidity, with grape-like sour aroma; ● In 2012, El Injerto estate coffee from Huehuetenango, Guatemala set another new record in green bean auctions, first place small-grained Mocca (Pantaleon – Mocca) sold at a sky-high price of $1103.4 per kilogram ($501.54/pound); ● At the 2013 Best of Panama coffee auction, Hacienda La Esmeralda's natural processed Geisha sold for $350.25 per pound. This coffee is grown on Barú mountainside in Panama, shaded by guava trees. These coffee beans are rare and extremely sought-after, a must-try for coffee connoisseurs. ● In 2016, Esmeralda Red Label was $275 USD/pound for washed Geisha green beans

Highest Quality Coffee Varieties and Taiwan Coffee Breeding Production Strategy

● Only 2 -- Geisha and small Mocha, neither are flavored coffees! They are both low-yield small-grained varieties, currently no hybrid high-quality varieties have been released! ● The highest priority for future Taiwan coffee breeding is the intercrossing of these two varieties, then intercrossing with large-grained high-yield varieties, followed by selection of disease-resistant excellent offspring. ● Using purple-leaf varieties as rootstock for top grafting Geisha, small Mocha and their excellent offspring hybrid varieties to produce top-quality coffee beans with unique aroma and flavor.

General Description of Arabica Varieties

Variety type examples advantages limitations market quality special variations Maragogype (Maracaturra, Pacamara), Laurina/Bourbon Pointu special quality low yield disease susceptible niche market tall tree Tipica, Bourbon excellent quality strong tree vigor low yield disease susceptible suitable for forest upper layer to niche market Java excellent quality strong tree vigor partial resistance to berry disease and rust disease suitable for small farms quality not yet famous low yield upper market Geisha famous excellent quality highly unstable needs further improvement only in forest system upper market Ethiopian landraces quality can be excellent some offspring resistant to berry disease and rust disease low to average yield only in forest system upper market improved tree height Mundo Novo (tall) average quality and yield suitable for mechanical harvesting disease susceptible mainstream market Ethiopian F1 hybrids high to extremely high yield some offspring resistant to berry disease and rust disease only produced in Ethiopia difficult to expand mainstream market

General Description of Arabica Varieties (continued)

Variety type examples advantages limitations market typical dwarf Caturra, Catuai average quality suitable for dense planting high yield disease susceptible mainstream to upper market introduced dwarf genes Catimors & Sarchimors or Derived average to high yield some offspring resistant to berry disease or nematodes rust resistant poor quality needs further improvement mainstream market improved dwarf F1 hybrid varieties Centro America (Central America), Diamond Coffee extremely high yield good to excellent quality some offspring partially resistant to berry disease and rust disease quality reputation to be established yield capacity needs improvement mainstream to upper/niche market depends on F1 hybrid varieties

Ideal Coffee Variety Characteristics

→Huge untapped diversity potential and modern breeding techniques ∎ Consistent maturity period ∎ Strong tree vigor, dwarf tree shape, high single-plant yield ∎ Resistance/tolerance to major diseases and pests ∎ Stable excellent quality ∎ Low caffeine content ∎ Variable unique flavors of Arabica or Robusta species in major and minor gene combinations

Modern breeding techniques ∎ Comparative genomics-based markers for orthologs ∎ Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis ∎ Traits combined with marker-assisted selection ∎ Numerous demand challenges breeding capacity, priority consideration of integrating key characteristics into new varieties

Possible Strategies for Coffee Quality Breeding

Breeding strategy target market material type method urgent needs standard quality conservative selection new high-yield varieties no quality loss all quality coffee markets gene introduction variety screening introduced varieties whole genome selection healthy, effective, cheap and rapid prediction/quality phenotyping F1 hybrid offspring screening unused Arabica diversity as parent selection quality innovation selection new varieties with special/specific quality needs integration in well-defined value chain pure Arabica lines (possibly Ethiopian) screening unused Arabica diversity for special quality/varieties mutation

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