What is Typica Coffee? Differences in Flavor and Taste Characteristics Between Typica and Bourbon Coffee

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Introduction to FrontStreet Coffee's Typica Coffee

Biologically speaking, coffee varieties can be divided into Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. The main varieties consumed worldwide are Arabica and Robusta. Generally, Arabica is primarily used for single-origin or specialty coffees. From both coffee culture and genetic perspectives, Bourbon and Typica are the two most important branches of Arabica coffee varieties.

Bourbon is a sub-species that mutated from Typica and belongs to the same ancient coffee varieties that still exist today. When green fruits mature, they display a bright red color.

Red Bourbon

Generally, after Red Bourbon coffee trees flower and bear fruit, the color transformation of coffee cherries follows this pattern: green > light yellow > light orange > mature red > darker overripe red. Therefore, some people call it "Red Bourbon variety." In fact, Red Bourbon is what we commonly refer to as Bourbon variety. Bourbon grown at high altitudes typically has superior aroma, with brighter acidity and flavors similar to red wine.

In simpler terms, Bourbon is a coffee tree variety belonging to a branch of Arabica species. It generally bears red fruits, called Red Bourbon. Besides Red Bourbon, there are also Yellow Bourbon and Orange Bourbon. Yellow Bourbon has relatively lower yields but better quality.

Typica is a sub-variety of Arabica coffee. The Typica variety originally grew on Martinique Island. Currently, Central America, Jamaica, Hawaii's Kona region, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor are the main coffee-growing areas for Typica. To obtain higher coffee yields from high-quality Typica, Typica coffee varieties are usually cross-bred with other species. Typica coffee is renowned for its sweetness, and some of the world's finest coffees come from the Typica variety family, including Blue Mountain, Sumatra, and Kona.

Typica green beans have slightly upturned ends and an oval shape. Viewed from the side, the beans appear flat and thin. Even when cultivated at different altitudes, the thickness difference on the side of the green beans won't vary significantly.

Unlike other coffee varieties, Typica coffee fruits are conical in shape. Typica coffee quality is extremely high, making it very popular among plantations worldwide. When properly cultivated, Typica coffee exhibits high sweetness, pure flavor, and pleasant acidity. Yunnan Typica displays Asian herbaceous plant aromas, lively and bright acidity, mouth-watering effects, balanced soft acidity and richness, complex layers, and prominent aftertastes of dark chocolate, honey, and cane sugar. When completely cooled, it reveals brown sugar flavors.

Important Notice :

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