Varietals

There are two main species of coffee in commercial production, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica coffee is grown at altitudes well over 2,000 feet above sea level, while Robusta can be grown at altitudes under 2,000 feet as it is more resilient to disease. Arabica trees require more care and attention, but have more potential to provide a better tasting coffee than Robusta. Only a small percentage of Arabica is classified as superior quality.

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters® are committed to delivering the finest quality coffee, using only 100% Arabica beans.

Many different subspecies and hybrids of Arabica have been identified. The following is a guide to some of the most known.

Bourbon produces more coffee than Typica but still remains a low yield varietal. A tall tree with deep red cherries, it is similar to Typica and produces a similar bean. It is used throughout Central and South America.

Canario is the new varietal subspecies strain of Bourbon. It produces a high quality coffee that is clear, sweet and defined.

Catimoris a fusion between Timor and Caturra. It has a very high yield and matures early. It is a hybrid of two species, Arabica and Robusta. At low elevations Catimors’ low cup quality is similar to other cultivars, however at higher elevations it falls short in quality to its counterparts.

Catuai is a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra. It has a high yield and needs plenty of care.

Caturra is a mutation of Bourbon with a medium-high yield. It produces a high quality cup however requires much more care than the original varieties.

Costa Rica 95 is from Costa Rica and is a cross of Catimor, which includes both Arabica and Robusta.

Geisha or Gesha originated in Ethiopia and was brought to Costa Rica and Panama in the 1960’s. It was rediscovered a couple years ago on a farm in Panama and has been renowned for its high quality. It is now only grown in Panama and produces a very limited quantity.

Icatu comes from Brazil. It is followed across the Bourbon and Catuai line.

Kent was introduced in the early twentieth century and is found in India and Africa.

Maragogype was first observed growing near the town of Maragogype, Bahia, Brazil where it is called Coffea Indigena. The bean is unusually large in size, and is commonly referred to as an elephant bean.

Mundo Novo is a naturally grown hybrid between Typica and Bourbon. It has a high production yield and matures later than the other varietals.It is a strong plant and is resistant to disease.

Pacas is a mutation of Bourbon.

Pacamara is a hybrid of Maragogype and Pacas.

Peaberry is the result of a naturally occurring mutation where in the cherry produces two coffee seed halves fused together to form one small spherical bean. Some consider peaberries to be superior in flavour than the typically flat faced beans and are highly regarded as rare and unique.

Ruiru 11 is resistant to disease and has a high yield. Grown in Kenya, it is a cross between Robusta and Arabica and produces a low quality coffee.

SL-28 typically has a medium to sharp acidity and medium body. This varietal comes from Kenya. To be followed along the Bourbon and Kent line.

SL-795 is a cross of the Kent varietal that originated in Ethiopia and can now be found in India and Africa.

Timor is a Robusta and produces an unpolished and rough character in the cup. Typica beans produce a low yield however they have excellent cup quality. They are best grown at a high altitude with dense shade.