How to Identify Catimor Coffee Beans by Appearance: Two Key Points for Distinguishing Catimor Coffee

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FrontStreet Coffee - Catimor Variety Introduction

Catimor - that's its real name. As an Arabica bean, it has 1/4 Robusta bloodline. Catimor coffee trees grow to a height of nearly 2 meters.

There are large plantations in Pu'er, Dehong, Baoshan, and Lincang regions of Yunnan. Coupled with the fact that Catimor fruits are relatively small, it has earned the name "Yunnan Small Bean Coffee." Initially not well-received, but with continuous improvements in cultivation management, processing methods, and roasting techniques, Yunnan Small Bean Coffee has begun to enter the specialty coffee ranks with limitless potential!

Each coffee variety has a different appearance, so there are differences between coffee trees. Some grow low for easy harvesting, while others grow tall making harvesting inconvenient. After careful observation of Catimor coffee trees, you'll find that each variety has its own appearance. Catimor's leaves all droop downward, and the tree shape appears to be wearing a cloak. Catimor beans are round and thick, with a disordered center line.

50 years ago, coffee cultivation in Yunnan was predominantly Typica and Bourbon. The Typica varieties cultivated by Baoshan state-owned Lujiang Farm and Xincheng Youth Farm even won first place in international coffee competitions.

Later, due to economic returns and other reasons, farmers mostly switched to planting Catimor. Although there are still farmers who insist on planting excellent varieties, they cannot completely avoid genetic mixing caused by natural factors.

However, this doesn't mean Yunnan doesn't have good coffee. As a Catimor variety, it can also produce green beans with excellent flavor through fine cultivation and processing techniques, plus selection. For native varieties, relatively well-known ones include the Caturra from Pu'er Manlaojiang, as well as the Typica from Baoshan Lujiang Baihualing, and the Bourbon from Nankang. Especially Nankang, which has old varieties at an altitude of 1800m.

High-altitude green beans are of the Catimor variety. Slightly thick and round, with a relatively straight center line, but the flavor is good. Inevitably there is some bitterness. I don't fully agree that Yunnan beans must be roasted to medium-dark. Light to medium roasting, compared to medium-dark, might balance the bitterness better, but it also loses some of the unique flavors of Yunnan beans.

Knowledge Point

As early as 1892, a French missionary brought coffee seeds to Yunnan and successfully planted the first coffee tree in a place called Zhukula.

In Summary

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