What Does Bourbon Coffee Bean Mean - Introduction to Colombian Pink Bourbon Flavor Profile

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Introduction to FrontStreet Coffee's Bourbon Varieties and Colombia·Isabella

Bourbon shares the same tall height and conical shape as Typica, but Bourbon has more secondary branches, appearing denser. The main trunk and branches are thicker, making it more robust than Typica but with relatively less flexibility. The branches are more compact, and this increased density means Bourbon can produce approximately 30% more coffee cherries than Typica.

Bourbon leaves are wider than Typica's, with a rough texture and wavy edges. Young leaves are usually green but sometimes have bronze tips. The coffee cherries are round and mature into various colors such as red, orange, or yellow (though colors are consistent on the same plant).

Among Red Bourbon, Yellow Bourbon, Orange Bourbon, and Pink Bourbon, Orange Bourbon has lower yields, while Pink Bourbon is extremely rare. Due to its extreme rarity, Pink Bourbon was unknown in the past.

Pink Bourbon is a hybrid cross of Yellow Bourbon and Red Bourbon, with particularly strong disease resistance and exceptional flavor. Compared to other varieties, the beans have higher density, but their yield is very low. They are grown at elevations between 1500-2000 meters. However, cultivating Pink Bourbon is not an easy process. Throughout the entire growth period of the coffee tree, it requires careful attention and higher environmental requirements. Another challenge lies in harvesting, as workers find it difficult to determine maturity when picking. The main reason is that both the yellow gene from Yellow Bourbon and the red gene from Red Bourbon are recessive genes that easily interfere with each other, making Pink Bourbon difficult to produce. Additionally, Pink Bourbon is very similar to unripe Red Bourbon and not easily recognized, often getting mixed together, which is another reason for its rarity.

Two Common Bourbon Varieties (Red Bourbon, Yellow Bourbon)

Red Bourbon

As early as 1850, Brazil became the world's major coffee producer, heavily relying on the Typica variety introduced in 1720. However, this variety had low yields, so to ensure profits, they introduced Bourbon from Réunion, which is Red Bourbon, and planted it on a large scale.

After the Red Bourbon coffee tree flowers and fruits, the color change of coffee cherries follows: green > light yellow > light orange > mature red > darker ripe red, which is what we generally call the Bourbon variety. Bourbon grown at high altitudes typically has better aroma and bright acidity, even exhibiting wine-like flavors when tasted.

Yellow Bourbon

Yellow Bourbon is a unique Bourbon variety native to São Paulo state, Brazil. The coffee cherries do not turn red when mature but instead present an orange-yellow color, hence the name "Yellow Bourbon." Due to its lower yield and relatively poor resistance to wind and rain, it has not been widely cultivated. Yellow Bourbon grown in high-altitude regions exhibits excellent flavor performance.

【FrontStreet Coffee Brazil Queen Estate Yellow Bourbon】Flavor characteristics: Sweet and smooth fruit sweetness, distinct nutty flavors, balanced and gentle acidity, weak and clean bitterness, containing rich chocolate aroma and nutty flavors, with a bright and refreshing mouthfeel.

FrontStreet Coffee Colombia·Isabella

Origin: San Adolfo, Acevedo, Huila, Colombia

Processing Station: A group of small producers

Altitude: 1,700 - 1,800 Meters

Variety: Pink Bourbon

Processing Method: Fully Washed

Harvest Processing Time: 2018 / 2019

Roast Level: Light

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