Is Catimor Coffee Good to Drink? The Development and Cultivation Process of the Catimor Coffee Variety

Professional Coffee Knowledge Exchange

For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)

Catimor Coffee Beans: Origin and Development

In 1959, Catimor coffee beans were developed in Portugal through hybridization of the rust-resistant Timor variety with Caturra. Catimor coffee beans are early-maturing and highly disease-resistant, with yields significantly higher than other commercially valuable varieties. For this reason, diligent fertilization and attention to shade management are essential. The descendants of Catimor T-8667 are relatively small in stature but produce large fruits and seeds. Catimor line T-5269 is very robust and suitable for cultivation in areas with elevations of 600-900 meters and annual rainfall exceeding 3000mm. T-5175 demonstrates strong productivity and vigorous plant growth, though it may face challenges at very high or very low altitudes. In low-altitude regions, its quality is comparable to other commercial varieties, but above 1,200 meters, its quality significantly surpasses that of Bourbon, Caturra, and Cauai.

Quality Considerations and Industry Perspectives

From February 26-28, 2001, the Royal Project Foundation of Thailand and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations jointly organized "The First Asian Regional Round-Table on Sustainable, Organic and Speciality Coffee Production, Processing and Marketing" in Chiang Mai city. During the conference, Dr. Ernesto Illy, owner of the Italian Illy coffee company, mentioned in his presentation "Factors Affecting Green Coffee Bean Quality" that Catimor coffee's quality is not ideal. Although its 25% Robusta coffee genetic makeup enhances rust resistance, the quality is adversely affected by this influence.

Genetic Development Timeline

1962: Introduction of Timor (discovered on Timor island, a hybrid of Robusta and Arabica, combining Robusta's disease resistance with Arabica's superior flavor)

Arabica x Robusta → Timor

1968: Development of Catimor (hybridization of Timor with another popular Arabica variety, Caturra, creating the new high-yield, disease-resistant Catimor variety)

Caturra x Timor → Catimor

1982: After five generations of selection, introduction of the new Colombia cultivar

Catimor → → → → → Colombia cultivar

1983: Following severe outbreaks of coffee leaf rust, the Colombia cultivar gradually replaced traditional popular varieties such as Caturra.

2002: Introduction of new generation hybrids → → → Tabi

2005: Introduction of new generation hybrids → → → Castillo (superior to previous varieties in disease resistance, yield, and cupping quality)

Although compared to these new varieties, many people still prefer/are accustomed to the old varieties.

However, with the resurgence of coffee leaf rust in 2008, under government promotion, Castillo gradually became the main cultivated variety!

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small storefront but diverse bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473