What are the flavor characteristics and quality grade of Catimor coffee beans? Is Catimor a Yunnan small-seed coffee variety?

In recent years, as Yunnan coffee has gained increasing fame, more coffee enthusiasts visiting FrontStreet Coffee have been asking if they have Yunnan small-bean coffee. As a renowned specialty coffee producing region in China, Yunnan coffee naturally occupies a unique position on FrontStreet Coffee's menu board.

Understanding Yunnan Coffee Varieties

Many customers notice the varieties of Yunnan coffee beans on the market and visit FrontStreet Coffee with questions for the baristas: What is Catimor? Is Yunnan small-bean coffee actually Typica or Catimor? Is Catimor a variety of Arabica?

FrontStreet Coffee has mentioned in numerous articles about coffee bean varieties that coffee species under the Rubiaceae Coffea genus mainly include Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica as the three original species, each of which can be further subdivided into more variety branches. Among these, the well-known Typica is the most ancient coffee variety of Arabica. Since Typica coffee beans are relatively small in size, they have earned the nickname "small-bean coffee."

The Historical Context of Yunnan Coffee

Since Typica is small-bean coffee, why is Yunnan small-bean coffee labeled as Catimor? This is actually related to local planting history. FrontStreet Coffee has mentioned in many articles about Yunnan coffee that historical records show coffee was first planted in Yunnan in 1904. However, large-scale cultivation began in the 1950s when, to repay Soviet debt, foreign trade departments actively purchased coffee in Yunnan for export to the Soviet Union. At that time, "Yunnan small-bean coffee" was even rated as first-class at the International Coffee Tasting Conference held in London in 1958.

It wasn't until the 1980s that reform and opening-up policies prompted a series of international brands to enter the Chinese market. Coffee giants like Nestlé and Starbucks established themselves in China's Yunnan coffee producing regions and vigorously promoted the cultivation of the Catimor variety.

Compared to Typica, the field management of Catimor cultivation is relatively simple. It possesses resistance to coffee leaf rust that swept through Central and South America, and Catimor's yield is three times that of Typica. Coffee growers at that time didn't have much understanding of coffee flavor; as an economic crop, they only considered returns. Consequently, they cut down the elegant-flavored Typica coffee trees and switched to planting Catimor.

The Catimor Variety

The Catimor variety was developed when Portuguese transplanters moved the Brazilian Bourbon mutation Caturra to East Timor. Later, Caturra was crossbred with the Timor variety, which contains Robusta heritage, successfully creating the Catimor variety with exceptional disease resistance and productivity.

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, this variety exhibits characteristics such as compact tree form, dwarf growth, multiple branches, and short fruit nodes. It grows vigorously with extremely strong vitality, with its most notable features being amazing rust resistance and high yield capability. Therefore, it is favored by many Yunnan coffee farmers, with over 90% of local coffee trees currently being Catimor. Between the 1970s and 1990s, as coffee leaf rust affected coffee-producing countries worldwide, international organizations assisted in vigorously promoting Catimor cultivation. Therefore, what is now referred to as Yunnan small-bean coffee actually refers to the Catimor variety.

The Future of Yunnan Coffee

In FrontStreet Coffee's view, if Yunnan wants to improve the overall quality of its coffee, gradual variety replacement is the necessary path. Catimor's rust resistance gradually diminishes after 20-30 years, so variety replacement is an issue Yunnan currently needs to face. In recent years, we have seen many new varieties gradually appearing in Yunnan, such as the world-famous Geisha. To explore the relationship between coffee cultivation and varieties, FrontStreet Coffee began its coffee cultivation chapter in Lincang, Yunnan in 2013, selecting and cultivating the ancient small-bean variety—Typica—as well as small quantities of Bourbon. Typica needs to be planted at high altitudes to present rich and diverse flavors, with fruity acidity and delicate texture, making it a recognized high-quality variety. However, the plant has low yield, relatively poor resistance, and is susceptible to leaf rust, coffee berry disease, and nematode diseases, thus requiring more intensive human management.

Flavor Profile and Regional Differences

Due to its partial Robusta heritage, the Catimor variety inherits the strong disease resistance characteristics of Robusta, as well as some genes for poor flavor. As mentioned in "Specialty Coffee Studies," it has a "devilish aftertaste," insufficient aroma, prominent bitterness, tendency toward astringency, and unpleasant stimulating flavors.

Coffee connoisseurs familiar with Yunnan small-bean coffee origins often declare their preference for coffee from specific small producing areas. Yunnan's coffee producing regions mainly include Baoshan, Pu'er, Dehong, Lincang, and Xishuangbanna. Different people have different rankings of Yunnan coffee origins in their hearts—some prefer Baoshan, others like Pu'er, and still others favor Lincang.

On FrontStreet Coffee's bean menu, Yunnan, as a representative of Chinese coffee producing regions, has its unique character. A washed Catimor from the Baoshan region represents the basic terroir of Chinese origins in FrontStreet Coffee's daily bean series. Since the washing process thoroughly cleans the fruit skin, pulp, and pectin before sun-drying, the Yunnan washed Catimor in FrontStreet Coffee's daily bean series presents a clean and bright flavor profile, clearly expressing the characteristics of Yunnan flavors—soft acidity, nutty notes, and tea-like sensations.

Brewing Guide for Yunnan Coffee

Many customers drawn by the reputation of Yunnan small-bean coffee visit FrontStreet Coffee for a taste, only to find they cannot replicate that flavor at home. Here, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce the brewing methods used when serving Yunnan small-bean coffee.

Dripper: Hario V60
Water temperature: 87°C
Coffee amount: 15 grams
Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15
Grind size: 75% pass-through rate on Chinese standard #20 sieve

In this era of pursuing freshly roasted coffee beans, everyone wishes to brew coffee as soon as beans are roasted. FrontStreet Coffee has also heard feedback from many customers that coffee beans that are too fresh produce a rough texture when brewed, with a noticeable dry sensation after swallowing. This is because coffee beans need a resting period of 4 to 7 days after roasting to release excess gases, allowing the coffee flavors to become more rounded and full. The coffee beans shipped by FrontStreet Coffee within 5 days of roasting arrive just after the resting period, when flavors are at their fullest.

Even so, FrontStreet Coffee recommends still performing a 30-second bloom during brewing to promote the release of carbon dioxide from within the coffee beans.

FrontStreet Coffee generally employs a three-pour brewing technique. Compared to the single-pour method, the three-pour approach more easily yields coffee with rich layers, full flavors, and rounded texture. Compared to other champion brewing methods like the 4:6 pouring technique, it's simpler to operate and suitable for hand-pour coffee beginners.

Pour 30 grams of hot water for a 30-second bloom, then inject with a fine stream from the center point and slowly spiral to 125 grams. Wait until the water level in the dripper drops to just above the coffee bed, then continue spiraling to 225 grams. Total extraction time is approximately 2 minutes.

For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)
For professional coffee knowledge exchange, please add WeChat ID: kaixinguoguo0925

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473