Introduction to Typica Coffee and Hawaii Kona Coffee

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

FrontStreet Coffee's Three Major Coffee Varieties: Introduction to Typica and Hawaiian Kona Coffee

Typica and Bourbon, these two ancient varieties, have been cultivated in different soils and climates of the New World for three hundred years, creating thousands of variants and hybrid varieties.

Intra-specific hybridization: New varieties resulting from the crossbreeding of two Arabica varieties

Inter-specific hybridization: New varieties resulting from crossbreeding between Arabica and other species such as Canephora and Liberica

Characteristics of Typica and Its Varieties

Typica, meaning "typical," is the representative variety of the Arabica species and was also the first variety to be transplanted from Yemen to India, Indonesia, and Central and South America, where it flourished widely. The distinctive feature of ancient Typica is its larger and more elongated bean shape, but after being transplanted to the New World, it has evolved into many different forms, including more oval and smaller-sized Typica. Typica coffee beans have a very balanced flavor, with mild smoothness being their greatest characteristic. The acidity and aroma of Typica are not overly sharp or complex, making it suitable for those who prefer milder acidity. However, when Typica is cultivated at altitudes below 1000 meters or in temperatures that are too high, it tends to develop woody notes. Poor disease resistance and low yield are its greatest weaknesses.

Common Typica Varieties:

Elephant Bean: A Typica variant discovered in Brazil, with beans three times larger than typical coffee beans. Elephant Bean has low fruit yield, oversized beans, and challenging post-harvest processing, so it is cultivated in few countries, with small-scale planting in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

Kona Typica: The Typica variety from Hawaii's Big Island originates from Guatemala. The Big Island is located in the subtropical zone at 20 degrees north latitude, with cooler temperatures and fertile volcanic soil. Although cultivated at lower altitudes, it produces clean acidity and sweetness that rivals even higher-altitude Blue Mountain coffee.

Blue Mountain Typica: In the 1720s, it was transplanted from Martinique to Jamaica's Blue Mountains. After more than 200 years, Blue Mountain Typica has evolved better disease resistance, particularly against coffee berry disease, which is superior to regular Typica. However, when Blue Mountain Typica is grown outside of Jamaica, it cannot replicate its distinctive sweet and elegant characteristics.

Yellow Bourbon Catuai: A Typica variant first discovered in India, where the ripe coffee cherry skin is yellow. The fruit yield is scarce, and it is now grown in small quantities in Brazil. Don't underestimate it—the frequent champion of Brazil's cupping competitions, Yellow Bourbon, is a hybrid variety of Yellow Bourbon Catuai and Red Bourbon.

Kona Coffee

Kona coffee is produced in the Kona region of Hawaii and is a rare variety that can only be grown on volcanic slopes. It has a rich, mellow flavor with a mixed aroma of wine, fruit, and spice, making its taste exceptionally distinctive. Premium Kona coffee has moderate acidity and a smooth, rich mouthfeel, along with a unique aromatic flavor.

Due to decreasing production, its price rivals that of Blue Mountain coffee. The narrow coastal zone of Hawaii's Kona region produces some of the world's best coffee, and its yield is also among the highest. Less than 2,600 acres of Kona coffee land produce 2 million pounds of coffee beans annually. Kona coffee has a captivating aroma, unique mouthfeel, and prominent regional characteristics that make it stand out in international competition. In the United States, you can also find another excellent Hawaiian coffee—Hawaiian Kai Farms Coffee (Kai Farms).

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473