Coffee Bean Origins and Varieties Introduction: Yirgacheffe Heirloom Coffee Bean Gene Bank General Term

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Coffee Varieties

When we purchase coffee, we often hear terms like Typica, Bourbon, Kent, SL28, SL34, and more. Here we will introduce their origins, etymology, variety development, and their agricultural and flavor characteristics.

Heirloom Varieties

This is not a single variety but a general term for numerous varieties, usually labeled as "heirloom." Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and possesses the most complete gene bank of Arabica varieties. In Ethiopia, natural Arabica coffee varieties may mutate and naturally hybridize into new varieties daily. There is currently no accurate count of how many coffee varieties exist. The most important coffee varieties are now preserved at the Jimma Agricultural Research Center in Ethiopia. The Jimma Research Center is also actively researching and cultivating plantable varieties.

"Heirloom" is the general term for coffee varieties found in the forests and mountains of Ethiopia.

Typica

Typica was the first commercial variety to be taken from the Arabian Peninsula for cultivation. Its origin is an unknown location in Yemen. It was introduced from Ethiopia in the mid-15th century and evolved in this region. It was then brought to India. The Dutch brought Typica to Java at the end of the 17th century, followed by introduction to Indonesia. Eventually, it was cultivated worldwide. Morphologically, Typica trees have a conical shape, narrow leaves, and elongated fruits and seeds. Although some consider Jamaican Blue Mountain a distinct variety, it is genetically the same as Typica.

Bourbon

Bourbon was the second variety to be cultivated globally after Typica, also originating from Yemen. Early French introducers brought local Yemeni coffee varieties to Bourbon Island (now called Réunion Island) for cultivation. In 1859, it was first cultivated in Brazil and quickly spread worldwide. Its yield is higher than Typica. The now-famous Yellow Bourbon in Brazil is also a mutation of this variety.

Red Bourbon

The native Red Bourbon gradually replaced Typica in Central America due to its higher yield. Later, French missionaries brought Bourbon to Tanzania, gradually spreading throughout East Africa. Bourbon trees are more rounded than Typica, with broader leaves and rounder fruits.

Knowledge point: Arabica and Robusta varieties are divided into single-origin coffee and espresso based on coffee bean combinations.

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation only to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee events every month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants to provide the best coffee to more friends at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

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