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What Variety are Yunnan Coffee Beans? How is Catimor Flavor? Is it a Devil's Beverage?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style) FrontStreet Coffee - Catimor Coffee Beans Introduction Yunnan coffee is China's main and largest coffee producing area. Currently, Yunnan coffee producing areas are mainly distributed in the southern and southwestern regions of Yunnan, including Simao, Xishuangbanna, Wenshan, Baoshan, Dehong and other areas. Catimor, cultivated by the Portuguese in 1959

FrontStreet Coffee - Catim Coffee Bean Introduction

Yunnan coffee is China's primary and largest coffee-producing region. Currently, Yunnan's coffee-producing areas are mainly distributed in the southern and southwestern parts of Yunnan, including Simao, Xishuangbanna, Wenshan, Baoshan, and Dehong regions.

Bred by the Portuguese in 1959, Catim (also called Catimor) possesses three-quarters Arabica bloodline and one-quarter Robusta bloodline. Its exceptional robustness and strong resistance to leaf rust disease are its greatest characteristics. Currently, it has the largest planting area in China's Yunnan region, with three major advantages: dwarf trees, high yield, and disease resistance. Unfortunately, it has not yet won any awards in competitions.

According to expert measurements, the optimal region for coffee quality should be located between 15°N and 23.5°N latitude. Small-seed coffee should be grown on mountainous terrain at elevations of 800-1800 meters. Southern Yunnan happens to be located in this golden zone, with low latitude, high altitude, and large temperature differences between day and night. Most Yunnan coffee is planted in the dry-hot valley regions at elevations of 1000-2000 meters. These unique natural conditions are particularly suitable for the growth of small-seed coffee, making it the most suitable area in the country for producing high-quality coffee.

Yunnan coffee generally uses washed processing methods for coffee beans. In the early days, some large factories introduced Colombian-style processing methods. Both bean washing and sun-drying adopted Colombian models. After coffee cherries are mechanically separated from their skin and pulp, they ferment in fermentation pools for 24 hours. Then, water is used to wash the coffee beans and remove mucilage. During washing, the buoyancy of water is used to separate bad beans. Up to this point, coffee processing approaches the standards of foreign coffee-producing countries.

Large quantities are planted in Yunnan's Pu'er, Dehong, Baoshan, and Lincang regions. Additionally, because Catim cherries are relatively small, they earned the name "Yunnan Small-seed Coffee." Initially not well-received, with continuous improvements in cultivation management, processing methods, and roasting techniques, Yunnan small-seed coffee has begun to enter the specialty coffee ranks with boundless potential!

The flavor characteristics of Catim feature deep flavors and rich texture. However, its aroma and brightness are somewhat plain.

Knowledge point: Coffee is a short-day plant. Coffee has the characteristics of multiple flowering phenomena and concentrated flowering periods.

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