Understanding Yellow Bourbon: The Differences Between Yellow and Red Bourbon Go Beyond Color

FrontStreet Coffee - Bourbon Variety Introduction

Bourbon coffee originates from a natural mutation of the Typica coffee variety and is also a historic variety. Both belong to the Arabica species. Typical Bourbon fruit changes from green to a mature bright red, which we know as Red Bourbon. The fruits are relatively short and round, hence the name Round Bourbon. The pulp and seeds are dense, with high sweetness and bright acidity. Besides Red Bourbon, however, there are also Yellow Bourbon and the rare Orange Bourbon and precious Pink Bourbon.

Red Bourbon

Why is Bourbon specifically named Red Bourbon when it is just Bourbon?

The original Bourbon tree, after flowering and fruiting, shows fruit color changing from green to light yellow, gradually turning light orange, and finally reaching mature red and deep red. So to distinguish it from other Bourbon varieties (Pink Bourbon, Yellow Bourbon, and so on), it is specifically called Red Bourbon. Bourbon is best grown at altitudes above 1200 meters, where its flavor significantly surpasses beans grown below 1000 meters.

Both Bourbon and Typica are listed as ancient, excellent varieties, but Bourbon has more vigorous growth and better resistance to leaf rust than Typica, while its flavor is in no way inferior. The biggest thing Bourbon and Typica share is that both need shade trees to block sunlight for good growth and flavor development. If the following conditions are met, though, open-sun cultivation can be used: an annual average temperature between 18-24 degrees Celsius, a plantation facing northeast or east, and only six hours of daily sunlight.

Yellow Bourbon

Yellow Bourbon (Bourbon Amarello) is a unique Bourbon variant from São Paulo, Brazil. It takes the name Yellow Bourbon mainly because the fruit does not turn red when ripe but instead shows an orange-yellow color. Grown at high altitude, Yellow Bourbon performs exceptionally well. It once dominated Brazil's "Cup of Excellence" competition for two consecutive years, with almost all of the top three prizes won by Yellow Bourbon, creating a sensation in the specialty coffee industry. Yellow Bourbon typically features nutty and chocolate notes, with a balanced, smooth acidity, a weak and clean bitterness, and an overall bright, refreshing profile.

Knowledge Point

These two ancient varieties, Typica and Bourbon, have propagated in the New World's different soils and waters for three hundred years, creating thousands of variants and hybrids.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If Yellow Bourbon is what you want to taste, FrontStreet's Brazil Queen Estate is the one to try. It is the earliest-discovered Yellow Bourbon, grown in the Mogiana region near South Minas, where fertile red volcanic soil feeds the fruit. It carries aromas of cream, peanut, toasted bread, and sugarcane — rich, mellow, and clean-sweet — and suits pour-over, a moka pot, or an espresso machine.

To compare it against other popular Arabicas, FrontStreet's Ethiopia Huakui is a natural-process bean with elegant florals and prominent fruit — cream strawberry, mango, jackfruit, citrus, and blueberry — a classic Sidama natural profile. FrontStreet's Washed Yirgacheffe Gudingding Cooperative is an Ethiopia G1 washed lot with elegant white florals, citrus, orange, and green tea, clean and bright. And FrontStreet's Panama Red Label Gesha, from the famous Emerald Estate in Boquete, Chiriquí, brings elegant florals, citrus, peach, and layered fruit with a creamy body and an oolong-tea finish.