The two major varieties of Arabica are Typica and Bourbon .
This time, we will introduce `` Typica '' in detail.
By the way, as I mentioned in a previous article, this variety is not a species on the plant Manabu , but a "cultivated variety."
Among the Arabica species, the two cultivated varieties " Typica " and " Bourbon " are considered the two major varieties because the coffee varieties cultivated today are derived from these two lineages.
First, let me introduce the history of how Typica spread around the world.
The lineage of Typica that spread from Yemen to Asia
Both Typica and Bourbon are descendants of coffee that was brought from Yemen, where coffee is said to have been cultivated as early as the late 15th century.
The Ottoman Empire and the Islamic Shiite dynasties that ruled the area banned the export of coffee trees and seeds, but in the late 17th century, coffee plants were taken to India and Ceylon for cultivation, and it is believed that Typica species was transplanted from India to Java.
The Dutch East India Company brought coffee seedlings from India to Java around 1690, but the first attempt failed due to flooding. In 1699, seedlings were brought again and successfully cultivated in Java. This Java coffee became the prototype of Typica as we know it today. The name Typica comes from the Latin word meaning "typical" and has long been recognized as a representative genotype of Arabica.
The Dutch East India Company brought coffee seedlings from India to Java around 1690, but the first attempt failed due to flooding. In 1699, seedlings were brought again and successfully cultivated in Java. This Java coffee became the prototype of Typica as we know it today. The name Typica comes from the Latin word meaning "typical" and has long been recognized as a representative genotype of Arabica.
A coffee plantation in Java todayTypica spreads around the world
In 1706, the Dutch sent a coffee plant from Java to the botanical gardens in Amsterdam, which in turn sent a plant to the Royal Gardens in Paris in 1714. In the 1720s, this strain of coffee was brought to the Caribbean island of Martinique, giving it a foothold in the Caribbean, including Haiti, which would later become a famous coffee-producing region.
Typica spread from Martinique to Central and South America, and in the 18th and 19th centuries it was cultivated in many countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Peru. In particular, in the Antigua region of Guatemala, the delicate flavor of Typica combined with the high altitude environment produced a high-quality coffee that is highly regarded to this day.
Typica is also the origin of world-famous premium coffees such as Jamaica's Blue Mountain, Hawaii's Kona, and Tanzania's Kilimanjaro. Maragogype , known for its large coffee beans, was also discovered as a mutation of Typica .
Typica spread from Martinique to Central and South America, and in the 18th and 19th centuries it was cultivated in many countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Peru. In particular, in the Antigua region of Guatemala, the delicate flavor of Typica combined with the high altitude environment produced a high-quality coffee that is highly regarded to this day.
Typica is also the origin of world-famous premium coffees such as Jamaica's Blue Mountain, Hawaii's Kona, and Tanzania's Kilimanjaro. Maragogype , known for its large coffee beans, was also discovered as a mutation of Typica .
Features of Typica
Despite its excellent quality, Typica has some challenges in modern commercial coffee production. It is particularly susceptible to coffee rust and has no resistance to pests. In terms of productivity, it has low yields and slow growth compared to other varieties, so many producing areas have been replaced with more productive varieties.
Since the 1970s, the area planted with pure Typica has declined significantly due to the popularity of more productive varieties such as Caturra and Catuai, but it is still cultivated by quality-conscious small farms and in certain highland regions due to its excellent flavor characteristics.
The distinctive feature of Typica coffee tree is its height. It is relatively tall, at 3-4 meters, and has elongated leaves. The new shoots have a characteristic bronze color, and the fruit is oval and elongated in shape.
The greatest feature of Typica 's flavor is its delicacy and good balance. It has a bright and delicate acidity, a refined sweetness, and a complex flavor in harmony. It has a medium to light body, and gives an overall clean and elegant impression.
Many coffee experts believe that Typica 's refined flavor sets the standard for "high quality coffee."
Since the 1970s, the area planted with pure Typica has declined significantly due to the popularity of more productive varieties such as Caturra and Catuai, but it is still cultivated by quality-conscious small farms and in certain highland regions due to its excellent flavor characteristics.
The distinctive feature of Typica coffee tree is its height. It is relatively tall, at 3-4 meters, and has elongated leaves. The new shoots have a characteristic bronze color, and the fruit is oval and elongated in shape.
The greatest feature of Typica 's flavor is its delicacy and good balance. It has a bright and delicate acidity, a refined sweetness, and a complex flavor in harmony. It has a medium to light body, and gives an overall clean and elegant impression.
Many coffee experts believe that Typica 's refined flavor sets the standard for "high quality coffee."
Typical production areas of Typica
Typical Typica growing areas include Guatemala and Mexico in Central America, Peru and Colombia in South America, the Blue Mountains of Jamaica being particularly famous in the Caribbean, and Java, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in the Asia-Pacific region.
The characteristics of each region, such as high altitude, foggy conditions, and volcanic soil, give Typica its unique character, resulting in different flavor profiles from region to region. For example, Typica from Antigua, Guatemala, is characterized by chocolate and nutty flavors, while Typica from Jamaica's Blue Mountains stands out for its floral aromas and smooth mouthfeel.
Pure Typica is now rare and highly valued. Its delicate and elegant flavor is still loved by many people as a synonym for high quality coffee.
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