Coffee Bean Varieties and Characteristics: Catuai Coffee Variety - A Genetic Hybrid Cultivated in Brazil

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FrontStreet Coffee - Catuai Variety Introduction

Arabica coffee is generally considered to originate from the Ethiopian highlands and is widely distributed in tropical regions. Through repeated mutations and breeding, it has derived into numerous varieties. Today, it is said that there are more than 70 varieties of Arabica coffee.

Market attention to high-quality coffee, also known as specialty coffee, has increased significantly. Both coffee-producing and coffee-consuming countries are urgently introducing new quality evaluation standards. Meanwhile, coffee with high ratings that can be bought and sold at high prices is in demand.

Coffee Varieties

SL28 possesses excellent flavor quality but is extremely susceptible to coffee berry disease. It is commonly found in Kenya.

Catimor is a variety cultivated by the Agronomic Institute of Campinas in São Paulo, Brazil, developed by crossing the high-yielding Mundo Novo with the dwarf Caturra. This variety has higher yields than Bourbon. Its compact plant shape allows for high planting density (almost twice that of Bourbon), which is one reason for its high productivity. The dwarf plant shape also facilitates pest and disease control. Its main characteristics are robustness, short stature, and being even more compact than Catuai. However, it is extremely susceptible to leaf rust.

The name Catuai comes from "gurani multomom" meaning "very good." Today, although it is considered good, it does not have exceptional flavor quality. It has both red and yellow fruit types, and many selected varieties exist in different countries.

This variety originated from the cross between Yellow Caturra and Mundo Novo in 1949, which was then called H-2077. It was released after pedigree selection (selecting individual plants through continuous generations) in Brazil and is widely cultivated there. There are many sub-varieties of Catuai in Brazil, some known for their high yields. However, the sub-varieties that spread to Central America have relatively low yields. Research in Honduras and Costa Rica found no significant difference in yield between Caturra and Catuai.

Historical Spread of Catuai

Catuai was first introduced to Honduras in 1979 and was tested at the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE). In 1983, after selecting two seed varieties at the Honduran Coffee Institute, it was commercially released. Today, Catuai accounts for nearly half of Honduras's Arabica coffee varieties. IHCAFE is actively engaged in Catuai breeding, including crossing Catuai with Timor to create hybrids.

In 1985, Costa Rica introduced Yellow Catuai, and it has since been widely cultivated in the country. It was introduced to Guatemala in 1970, where it currently accounts for about 20% of production. In other Central American countries, production is negligible. The dwarf plant shape, high planting density, and harvesting efficiency of Catuai contributed to the full-sun cultivation trend in the 1970s and 1980s.

Knowledge Point

Coffee trees originated in Ethiopia. A coffee variety named "Typica" is still widely cultivated by coffee farmers in various producing regions to this day.

Conclusion

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research house that loves to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation simply to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three low-discount coffee events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for 6 years!

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