Taxonomy_of_the_coffee_plant

Until the 1940s, the majority of coffee plantations in Central America were planted with Typica. But because of
its low yield and high susceptibility to coffee diseases, it has gradually been replaced. Today, coffee production
in Latin America is still based to a large extent on cultivars developed from Typica or Bourbon and varieties
thereof. In Brazil over 95 % of coffee cultivars are derived from Typica and Bourbon varieties. However, the
wide use of pesticides enables coffee growers with intensive agriculture to maintain these varieties in their
plantation, despite their susceptibility to diseases.
Bourbon: The first Bourbon plantation dates back to the early 18 th century after it was introduced on ile
Bourbon (an island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, now known as La Reunion) from Yemen. It is still
cultivated in Africa and e.g. Guatemala and known for its high cup quality. Bourbon goes back to a broad group
of C. arabica specimen that developed naturally. Depending on the specific sub-group, this coffee can be red
or yellow. These plants generally have broader leaves and rounder fruit and seeds than Typica. Sterns are
stronger and stand more upright than Typica. They can show very good quality but are susceptible to all major
diseases and pests.
Typica: This varietal name is commonly used for numerous tall types of Coffea arabica and the most prominent
trait are the bronze-tipped young leaves. lts predecessors were originally brought to Java from Yemen
(possibly via lndia) and also to Europe in the beginning of the 18 th century, from where Typica was spread all
over the world. Typica plants are known to have low productivity and they are susceptible to all main coffee
pests and diseases. Typica coffees include Blue Mountain, Guatemala, Sumatra, Pache, Java, and Kona. T
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