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Are the Characteristics of Yunnan Coffee Simply Being Small Beans? Does Yunnan Coffee Belong to Arabica?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information - follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee introduces Yunnan small bean coffee: All coffee grown in Yunnan's Pu'er region is of the Catimor variety. Baoshan City introduced Typica and Bourbon varieties as early as the 1950s, which locals call old varieties because the old varieties have poor disease and pest resistance.

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

FrontStreet Coffee - Yunnan Small Bean Coffee Introduction

All coffee planted in the Pu'er region of Yunnan is of the Catimor variety. Baoshan City introduced Typica and Bourbon varieties as early as the 1950s, which locals call "old varieties." Because these old varieties have low resistance to pests and diseases, lower yields, and higher management costs, coupled with low market acquisition prices without much advantage, coffee farmers have switched to planting the new Catimor variety in recent years. From a botanical perspective of coffee, Yunnan small bean coffee has genetic similarities to the recognized excellent Jamaica Blue Mountain and Kona coffees.

Typica and Bourbon, these two classic high-quality coffee varieties, are the main cultivated varieties in Yunnan. In 1991, the Catimor series varieties were introduced from Kenya (with stronger virus resistance and higher yields). They belong to the Arabica species (also known as small bean variety) variants. Due to the similar morphology and habits of these two varieties, they are often cultivated together.

Currently, the most widely planted variety in the Yunnan region is Catimor, with small amounts of Typica and Bourbon still planted in the Baoshan area. Although they all belong to the Arabica species in the broader sense, these varieties still have significant differences in essence.

Typica

Typica is the most classic high-quality Arabica variety, and many commercial improved varieties today originate from it. It has excellent flavor expression and is recognized as a specialty coffee variety, but its yield is extremely low and it is susceptible to rust disease, requiring more human management. Typica coffee originates from southeastern Ethiopia and Sudan and is the most widely cultivated coffee variety in the Western Hemisphere. The plants are relatively robust but not tolerant to strong light, with higher yields in Hawaii. The top leaves of Typica are bronze-red, giving it the name "red top coffee."

Bourbon

This variety originates from Typica and was expanded after being planted by the French in 1708 on Bourbon Island (now Réunion Island). Bourbon also has wonderful aroma and rich flavors, with higher yields and growth vitality compared to Typica, suitable for planting in regions at 1200-2000 meters altitude. However, it has weak resistance to pests and diseases and is sensitive to strong winds and heavy rainfall. Bourbon coffee is the second most important variant in small bean coffee after Typica. The main branches initially grow upward at a 45-degree angle from the trunk, drooping as the fruit load increases, with denser nodes on lateral branches, more fruiting, and higher yields. However, the berries are smaller and mature slower. The top buds and young leaves of Bourbon are green, giving it the name "green top coffee."

Catimor

Catimor is not of pure Arabica bloodline. It is a hybrid between the Timor variety (belonging to Robusta) and Caturra (a variant of Bourbon), so Catimor has 25% Robusta bloodline. Its Robusta bloodline also determines its flavor defects: insufficient aroma, overall bitter taste, and tendency to develop astringency and relatively stimulating moldy flavors.

Knowledge Point

In 1892, French missionary Father Tian successfully planted coffee in a place called Zhukula in Yunnan, where there are still 4 coffee trees over 90 years old today.

Conclusion

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