Learn more about coffee varieties: Geisha and Bourbon are not varieties?
Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, and there are many different varieties of this coffee plant.
CROWD ROASTER offers a variety of coffees, including Geisha , Bourbon , SL28 , Castillo, and Caturra, each of which contributes to the unique flavor profile of the coffee.
So what exactly is this "variety"? On the other hand, coffee is said to have two main varieties: Arabica and Robusta.
So what exactly is this "variety"? On the other hand, coffee is said to have two main varieties: Arabica and Robusta.
What is the relationship with the variety?
This time, I'd like to delve a little deeper into this variety.
This time, I'd like to delve a little deeper into this variety.
Coffee tree as a plant
In the botanical classification system, the coffee plant belongs to the genus Coffea in the family Manabu , order Gentianales, which are classified as Asteraceae.
The coffee plant (Coffea genus) is native to the African continent and Southeast Asia, from the coast of the Indian subcontinent to northeastern Australia, with its origin believed to be West Africa. From there, it is thought to have spread to Central and East Africa, Madagascar, and further to Asia and Australia.
Now, there are currently said to be 125 species belonging to the genus Coffea. This is where the Arabica and Canephora species finally come into play. These two species account for almost all of the coffee used for drinking, and are said to make up 98-99 percent of the total production.
Other varieties include the "Liberica" variety, which is cultivated in West Africa, the Philippines, and Malaysia, but these account for only a small fraction of the total coffee production.
The coffee plant (Coffea genus) is native to the African continent and Southeast Asia, from the coast of the Indian subcontinent to northeastern Australia, with its origin believed to be West Africa. From there, it is thought to have spread to Central and East Africa, Madagascar, and further to Asia and Australia.
Now, there are currently said to be 125 species belonging to the genus Coffea. This is where the Arabica and Canephora species finally come into play. These two species account for almost all of the coffee used for drinking, and are said to make up 98-99 percent of the total production.
Other varieties include the "Liberica" variety, which is cultivated in West Africa, the Philippines, and Malaysia, but these account for only a small fraction of the total coffee production.
growing environment for Arabica coffee
Arabica is a variety that has been consumed for drinking since ancient times, and it was the only variety used as coffee until the discovery of Canephora at the end of the 19th century.
Arabica coffee originates from southwestern Ethiopia. Even today, a diverse range of wild and semi-wild varieties grow in this region.
Coffee prefers a growing environment at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 meters, with conditions ranging from slightly humid to dry. The fact that it thrives in high-altitude environments with relatively low temperatures is evident from the locations of coffee plantations across the country.
While the coffee plant genus grows in tropical regions (sometimes referred to as the coffee belt), the Arabica variety doesn't grow just anywhere in the tropics. It can only thrive in high-altitude mountainous areas with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Therefore, in reality, it can only be cultivated in very limited locations, even within tropical regions.
Arabica coffee originates from southwestern Ethiopia. Even today, a diverse range of wild and semi-wild varieties grow in this region.
Coffee prefers a growing environment at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 meters, with conditions ranging from slightly humid to dry. The fact that it thrives in high-altitude environments with relatively low temperatures is evident from the locations of coffee plantations across the country.
While the coffee plant genus grows in tropical regions (sometimes referred to as the coffee belt), the Arabica variety doesn't grow just anywhere in the tropics. It can only thrive in high-altitude mountainous areas with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Therefore, in reality, it can only be cultivated in very limited locations, even within tropical regions.
A unique Arabica variety with double the number of chromosomes.
Manabu biological characteristic of the Arabica coffee species is its chromosome number, which is 44, double that of other species. This is a unique feature within the coffee genus and makes crossbreeding with other species difficult.
Recent research has revealed that 22 of the 44 plants are closely related to the Canephora species, while the remaining 22 are closely related to the Eugenioides species, which is native to western Tanzania. It is now believed that the Arabica species originated from a cross between the ancestors of these two species.
Another significant characteristic of this species is its ability to self-pollinate. Species like *Celtis sinensis* cannot self-pollinate and rely primarily on wind for pollen transfer.
Arabica coffee beans are self-pollinating, meaning they can pollinate within the same flower. This allows them to produce seeds from a single plant, and this characteristic has historically enabled them to spread cultivation worldwide, as they can be propagated from just a few seedlings.
Recent research has revealed that 22 of the 44 plants are closely related to the Canephora species, while the remaining 22 are closely related to the Eugenioides species, which is native to western Tanzania. It is now believed that the Arabica species originated from a cross between the ancestors of these two species.
Another significant characteristic of this species is its ability to self-pollinate. Species like *Celtis sinensis* cannot self-pollinate and rely primarily on wind for pollen transfer.
Arabica coffee beans are self-pollinating, meaning they can pollinate within the same flower. This allows them to produce seeds from a single plant, and this characteristic has historically enabled them to spread cultivation worldwide, as they can be propagated from just a few seedlings.
Is there no "variety" below Arabica?
It is believed that within this Arabica variety, there exist the "cultivars" mentioned earlier.
However, in fact, according to the Manabu plant classification system, there are no varieties or cultivars classified under the Arabica species.
Even within the Arabica variety, there are many variations with diverse characteristics, such as those with yellow fruits, those with large fruits or seeds, and those with different colored cotyledons.
It seems that these were once classified as varieties, but research into the wild species in their native Ethiopia has revealed that they are a diverse group with a mix of characteristics, making them a heterogeneous population.
Therefore, these individual characteristics are not distinguished as separate varieties.
However, in fact, according to the Manabu plant classification system, there are no varieties or cultivars classified under the Arabica species.
Even within the Arabica variety, there are many variations with diverse characteristics, such as those with yellow fruits, those with large fruits or seeds, and those with different colored cotyledons.
It seems that these were once classified as varieties, but research into the wild species in their native Ethiopia has revealed that they are a diverse group with a mix of characteristics, making them a heterogeneous population.
Therefore, these individual characteristics are not distinguished as separate varieties.
Coffee varieties are called "cultivated varieties."
However, it is true that numerous varieties of Arabica coffee plants have emerged over time due to their long history of cultivation by humans.
This is a separate classification from the plant classification system Manabu , and is referred to as a "cultivar" when used for cultivated crops and other similar items.
Artificial crossbreeding is widely practiced to improve yield and disease resistance, resulting in the creation of dozens of varieties, primarily the two original species known as Bourbon and Typica .
This includes varieties such as Geisha , which are attracting attention for their exceptionally superior flavor.
We will introduce these cultivated varieties in more detail later.
This is a separate classification from the plant classification system Manabu , and is referred to as a "cultivar" when used for cultivated crops and other similar items.
Artificial crossbreeding is widely practiced to improve yield and disease resistance, resulting in the creation of dozens of varieties, primarily the two original species known as Bourbon and Typica .
This includes varieties such as Geisha , which are attracting attention for their exceptionally superior flavor.
We will introduce these cultivated varieties in more detail later.
What is the variety of the Canephora species?
On the other hand, are there any varieties of the Canephora species?
This Canephora variety originates from Central Africa and is known as "Robusta" in the coffee industry.
Robusta has disease resistance, can be cultivated in low-altitude areas, and yields more than Arabica. It was discovered during a rust epidemic in Southeast Asia at the end of the 19th century, and as a result, it is now widely cultivated in Indonesia, Vietnam, and India.
Because it has very little acidity and an earthy smell known as "robusta odor," it has been considered to have less flavor than Arabica and has been traded at a lower price.
However, in recent years, steam processing has been developed to eliminate the Robusta odor, and production has increased, now accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the world's coffee harvest.
While there are actually cultivated varieties of this Canephora species (Robusta), they are not distinguished by cultivar when sold as coffee; they are all treated as Robusta.
Therefore, it's fair to say that there are virtually no cultivated varieties.
However, in recent years, there have been efforts to find high-quality varieties of Robusta and add value to them before distributing them.
In the future, we may see cultivated varieties of Robusta as well.
There's still so much to learn about coffee varieties, and I'd like to explore that topic in more detail in the future.
This Canephora variety originates from Central Africa and is known as "Robusta" in the coffee industry.
Robusta has disease resistance, can be cultivated in low-altitude areas, and yields more than Arabica. It was discovered during a rust epidemic in Southeast Asia at the end of the 19th century, and as a result, it is now widely cultivated in Indonesia, Vietnam, and India.
Because it has very little acidity and an earthy smell known as "robusta odor," it has been considered to have less flavor than Arabica and has been traded at a lower price.
However, in recent years, steam processing has been developed to eliminate the Robusta odor, and production has increased, now accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the world's coffee harvest.
While there are actually cultivated varieties of this Canephora species (Robusta), they are not distinguished by cultivar when sold as coffee; they are all treated as Robusta.
Therefore, it's fair to say that there are virtually no cultivated varieties.
However, in recent years, there have been efforts to find high-quality varieties of Robusta and add value to them before distributing them.
In the future, we may see cultivated varieties of Robusta as well.
There's still so much to learn about coffee varieties, and I'd like to explore that topic in more detail in the future.
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