Close-up of ripe red Bourbon coffee cherries on a branch with green leaves in the background.

Coffee Beans

Bourbon Coffee: A Symphony of Genetic Diversity, Flavor, and Quality

Bourbon, a prized Arabica variety, captivates with its complex flavor and high quality. Originating in Réunion island, this coffee boasts a rich history and diverse cultivars, each offering a unique taste, from the sweet Villa Sarchi to the high-yielding Caturra.

By | August 11, 2024 | 4 minutes of reading

Bourbon coffee is one of the most celebrated types of Arabica. This kind of coffee is a favourite among coffee lovers because of its delicious taste and rich history.

Where Does Bourbon Coffee Come From?

Bourbon coffee’s story begins in the 16th century in Yemen and southwest Ethiopia. French explorers brought the coffee plant to the island of Réunion (once called Île Bourbon), where it was widely planted before 1789. By 1860, Bourbon coffee had reached Brazil and quickly spread throughout Central and South America.

Satellite map showing the location of Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, with a pop-up description and image of the island's landscape.
Satellite map highlighting Réunion Island’s location in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, with a detailed description and image of the island’s volcanic landscape.

What Does a Bourbon Coffee Plant Look Like?

  • Type: Arabica
  • Leaves: Oval-shaped and dark green
  • Fruit: Round and usually red (can also be yellow or orange)
  • Beans: Medium-sized
  • Yield: Produces a good amount of coffee cherries
  • Quality: Known for high-quality coffee beans
  • Disease Resistance: Fairly resistant to diseases
Infographic showing various characteristics of Bourbon coffee including stature, leaf tip color, bean size, yield potential, quality potential at high altitude, optimal altitude, and susceptibility to diseases.
Infographic detailing the key characteristics of Bourbon coffee. Credit: World Coffee Research

Bourbon Coffee Flavor and Chemistry Composition

  • Aroma: Rich with hints of fruit, caramel, and flowers.
  • Taste: A satisfying balance of sweet and acidic, leaving a pleasant taste in your mouth.
  • Overall: Full-bodied, smooth, and complex in flavour.
Tables showing studied genotypes and environments, including geographic region, climatic variables, and soil type.
Tables detailing the studied genotypes and environments, including geographic region, climatic variables, and soil type for Lavras, São Sebastião do Paraíso, and Santo Antônio do Amparo.

Here’s what makes Bourbon unique:

  • Caffeine has a moderate amount, so it’s not overly bitter.
  • Chlorogenic Acid (CGA): This natural compound makes the coffee taste even better and provides health benefits.
  • Other Compounds: Contains citric and malic acids, which give it that complex, interesting flavour.
Table showing sensory evaluation and average levels of 5-CQA, trigonelline, and caffeine of beans from different Arabica coffee genotypes and environments.
Sensory evaluation and chemical composition of beans from different Arabica coffee genotypes and environments, including fragrance, flavor, acidity, body, final score, 5-CQA, trigonelline, and caffeine content.

Credit: “The Potential for High Quality Bourbon Coffees From Different Environments” by Canadian Center of Science and Education

Where is Bourbon Coffee Grown?

Today, you can find Bourbon farms in many parts of the world:

  • Africa: Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda
  • Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
  • South America: Brazil, Colombia
  • Asia: Indonesia
  • Caribbean: Puerto Rico
A vast Bourbon coffee farm in El Salvador with rows of coffee plants and a tractor with workers in the foreground.
A scenic view of a Bourbon farm in El Salvador, showcasing rows of coffee plants and a tractor with workers tending to the fields.

Bourbon: Key Varietals and Relatives

Bourbon, prized for its complex flavour and high quality, forms the foundation for numerous specialty coffee varietals. Here’s a breakdown of key Bourbon varietals and their genetically related cousins:

Key Bourbon Coffee Varietals:

  • Villa Sarchi: Originating in Costa Rica, this varietal is known for its sweet flavour, floral aroma, and mild acidity.
  • Caturra: A natural mutation of Red Bourbon discovered in Brazil, Caturra offers higher yields but requires more intensive care.
  • Kent: Developed in India, Kent is resistant to coffee leaf rust but has lower yields.
  • Pacas: Found in El Salvador, Pacas is recognized for its high cup quality, sweet flavour, and complex aroma.
  • Bourbon Mayaguez 71: Bred in Puerto Rico, this varietal demonstrates high yields and good disease resistance.
  • Bourbon Mayaguez 139: Also from Puerto Rico, Mayaguez 139 exhibits resilience against pests and challenging weather conditions.
  • Venecia: A less common varietal originating in Colombia, Venecia boasts fruity notes and bright acidity.
  • Tekisic: Developed in El Salvador, Tekisic provides high yields and good cup quality.
  • Mundo Novo: A hybrid of Bourbon and Typica, Mundo Novo offers high yields, a full-bodied flavour, and good adaptability.
Various Arabica Coffee Varieties Displayed in a Notebook
Different varieties of Arabica coffee beans, including Pacas, Yellow Bourbon, Orange Bourbon and more, displayed in a notebook.

Bourbon Coffee Genetically Related Varietals:

Several other popular coffee varietals have Bourbon in their lineage or have been crossed with Bourbon coffee to enhance quality and yields:

  • Catuai: A cross between Mundo Novo (which contains Bourbon) and Caturra (a Bourbon mutation).
  • Pacamara: A cross between Pacas (a Bourbon varietal) and Maragogype (a Typica mutation).
  • KP423: A hybrid of Kent (a Bourbon varietal) and Typica.
  • Anacafe 14: A cross between Bourbon, Typica, and Mundo Novo (which contains Bourbon).
  • Catimor Group: Crosses between Caturra (a Bourbon mutation) and Timor Hybrid (which contains Robusta).
  • Sarchimor Group: Crosses between Villa Sarchi (a Bourbon varietal) and Timor Hybrid (which contains Robusta).

Each Bourbon varietal and its relatives have unique characteristics in terms of flavour profiles, adaptability, and cultivation requirements. This diversity creates a rich and fascinating world of coffee, allowing enthusiasts to explore various tastes and roasting styles.

Diagram showing the relationships among various coffee genotypes, including Bourbon, Typica, and their hybrids.
Diagram illustrating the relationships among different coffee genotypes, highlighting the connections between Bourbon, Typica, and their hybrids.

The Future of Bourbon Coffee

Bourbon faces challenges from climate change and diseases, just like other crops. However, it’s a solid and adaptable plant. As more people discover the unique and flavorful world of specialty coffee, Bourbon is well-positioned for a bright future.

Here’s why:

  • High Demand for Quality: Consumers increasingly seek high-quality, ethically sourced coffee, and Bourbon fits the bill.
  • Unique Flavor Profile: The distinct taste of Bourbon, with its balanced sweetness and acidity, makes it a favourite among coffee connoisseurs.
  • Potential for Sustainability: Many farmers are focusing on sustainable farming, which can help protect the environment and ensure the long-term viability of coffee production.

Conclusion:

Bourbon coffee is more than just a cup of coffee—it’s a taste of history and a testament to the hard work of generations of coffee farmers. Bourbon is poised to remain beloved and sought-after for years with its rich aroma, complex flavour, and adaptability.

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