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Caturra

Coffea arabica var. caturra

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Key facts
Parent variety
Bourbon
Origin
Brazil, discovered 1915–1918
Key trait
Natural dwarf mutation for dense planting
Flavor profile
Bright, citric, clean with medium body
Disease resistance
Low, susceptible to coffee leaf rust
Notable regions
Colombia and Central America
Beans we stock
115 Caturra coffees
Caturra
Photo: Ajtjohnsingh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Caturra is a natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon discovered in Brazil between 1915 and 1918 and selected through the 1930s by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). Its compact stature allows denser planting and easier harvesting while retaining much of Bourbon's cup quality, which made it a backbone variety across Colombia and Central America. It remains susceptible to coffee leaf rust, a vulnerability that drove the later development of rust-resistant hybrids like Castillo.

At a glance

  • Scientific name: Coffea arabica var. caturra
  • Parent varieties: Bourbon
  • Identified: 1937
  • Flavor: Bright, citric, clean with medium body.
  • Aroma: Citrus and light sweetness.
  • Disease resistance: Low
  • Cup potential: High

See also

Sources & further reading