Caturra Coffee Brewing Guide - Caturra Coffee Brewing Method Tutorial

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Caturra Coffee Beans

Caturra is a single-gene mutation of Bourbon, discovered in Brazil in 1937. It has better yield and disease resistance than Bourbon, with shorter plant height that facilitates harvesting. However, like Bourbon, it suffers from the biennial production cycle problem. Its flavor is comparable to or slightly inferior to Bourbon, but more importantly, it has extremely strong adaptability - it can thrive directly under intense sunlight without shade trees, earning it the nickname "Sun Coffee." It can adapt to high-density planting but requires more fertilizer, increasing costs, so farmers were initially reluctant to adopt it.

However, when coffee prices soared in the 1970s, farmers switched to Caturra to increase yields. With strong promotion from Brazilian and Colombian authorities, the results were fruitful. Farmers' acceptance of Caturra signified a major transformation in cultivation techniques. Brazil and Colombia adopted high-yield, high-density sun-exposed cultivation. By 1990, one million hectares could harvest 14 million bags of coffee beans, increasing production capacity by 60%. No wonder high-yield, high-quality Caturra has become the variety relied upon by major coffee-producing countries.

Caturra is suitable for cultivation from low altitudes of 700 meters to high altitudes of 1700 meters, showing strong altitude adaptability. However, the higher the altitude, the better the flavor, though production capacity decreases accordingly - this is the fate of specialty coffee beans. Some in academia describe Caturra as an intensive, sun-exposed version of Bourbon, which hits the nail on the head. There is also a yellow Caturra (Caturra Amarello) variant in Central and South America, but its reputation doesn't match that of Yellow Bourbon.

When lightly roasted, Caturra exhibits distinct acidic aromas and overall brightness. With proper handling, sweetness can be expressed exceptionally well. However, its body is relatively lower compared to Bourbon, and the cleanliness of the mouthfeel is somewhat lacking. Typically, Caturra has red berries, but in very rare regions, there are yellow Caturras, such as the very few yellow Caturras cultivated in Hawaii.

Colombian Cauca

The variety of Colombian Cauca is Caturra. In terms of flavor, its lime acidity is quite distinct, with grape juice-like sourness, rich floral notes, high acidity, pleasant sweetness, medium body, and nutty aftertaste in the finish. The overall profile is pure, gentle, smooth in texture, with balanced flavors and lively, complex layers.

Caturra Coffee Bean Brewing Analysis

Recommended brewing method: Pour-over

Grind size: (Japanese Fuji R440) 3.5

V60 dripper, 15g of coffee, water temperature 91-92°C, grind size 3.5, water-to-coffee ratio close to 1:15

35g water for bloom, bloom time 30s

Segmented pouring: Pour water to 125g, pause, then slowly pour to 225g

That is 30-125-225g

Sweetness: ☆☆

Acidity: ☆☆☆

Bitterness: ☆

Other Drip Extraction Recommendations:

French Press: Recommended grind size 3.5-4, water temperature 91°C

AeroPress: Recommended grind size 2.5, water temperature 90°C

Caturra Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

The Colombian Cauca Caturra coffee beans roasted by FrontStreet Coffee offer excellent guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they provide extremely high value for money - a half-pound (227g) bag costs only about 95 yuan. Calculating at 15g per single-origin coffee, one bag can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 6 yuan. Compared to coffee shop prices that often charge tens of yuan per cup, this represents exceptional value.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse variety of beans, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide 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