Diverse Range

Coffee is believed to have originated from Ethiopia, with thousands of varieties in existence. Not enough genetic testing has been done to distinguish all these varieties, with natural cross-pollination adding more complexity to documenting new varieties. Ethiopian Heirloom is an umbrella term to describe all these varienties in this region.

One of the most popular varieties of Arabica, thought to have originated from Yemen via Ethiopia, brought to South America and further spread around the world. It is the parent to other varieties which are mutations, or crossbreeds of Typica. Known for its cleaness, sweetness, mild acidity, it can be considered a standard showcasing the excellent cupping quality of Arabica.

Believed to have the same origin as Typica, but having been planted on the island of Bourbon off the coast of Africa instead of South America. Having mutated from Typica and producing more cherries, it also exhibits potentially more complexity and sweetness. Also the parent of numerous other coffee varieties.

Also seen spelled as 'Geisha' this variety rose to stardom when beans from Panama won competitions and broke price records at auctions. Tracing its roots to Gesha Ethiopia, this variety has seen increased production in Central and Southern America. Exhibiting bright floral, tea-like characteristics not usually found in coffee, Gesha coffees demand some of the highest prices in the specialty coffee market. Though more demanding, difficult and costly to produce than other varieties, Gesha's rarity, status, and flavor still make it one of the most sought after coffees in the world.

Getting its name from the island of Java in Indonesia, where it was planted by the Dutch, this Typica descendent has also spread to other parts of the world, such as Cameroon and Central America. Originally from Ethiopia, Java is known for having good cupping characteristics like its parent, resulting in a strong, mildly sweet coffee.

Developed in Kenya by Scott Agricultural Labratories in the 1920-1930's, both SL-28 and SL-34 are known for producing exceptional cups of coffee. Coming from Typica/Bourbon lineage, coffee from these plants showcase high brightness and acidity, sweetness, syrupy body, and savoriness sometimes akin to sundried tomato. Though disease prone, this variety prized for its quality is still widely grown in Kenya and some surrounding african countries.

Descending from Typica beans brought to Jamaica in the 1700's and grown in the Blue Mountains, these beans are known for producing a clean and mild tasting coffee. Being praised for its high quality, it became a recognizable name worldwide. Its limited availability and brand name have contributed to its high price and reputation.

Grown on Hawaii's Big Island in the Kona District, Kona coffee is another recognizable name that fetches high prices due to its mystique and limited availibility

A mutation of the Bourbon plant first discovered outside the village of Caturra in Brazil. This dwarf plant is shorter in stature and has higher production than Bourbon, and can exhibit more brightness and acidity when compared to its parent.

A cross between Caturra and highly productive Mundo Novo, bred by the Instituto Agronomico (IAC) of Sao Paulo State in Campinas, Brazil. With common notes of Brown sugar, mild cooked fruits and nuts, it is prized for its high yield and reliable quality, being a prominent species in Central America.

Discovered in Costa Rica in the 1950/60s and developed in the town of Sarchi, Villa Sarchi is a natural mutation of Bourbon that grows much smaller. Well adapted to very high altitudes and strong winds, the variety is still capable of producing good cupping quality.

Much like Caturra and Villa Sarchi, Pacas is a mutation of Bourbon which causes dwarfism. Discovered by the Pacas family in El Salvador in 1949, Pacas was selected for a pedigree breeding program by the Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research (ISIC) in 1960. Similar to other deviations from Bourbon, Pacas can be planted more densely, thus producing higher yields, and can thrive better at higher altitudes.

Produced on the small island of Timor, these beans are a cross between Arabica and Robusta, and an important export crop for the people of the region. Grown on small farms and often hand picked, they exhibit some sweetness and mild acidity.

A hybrid of Caturra and Timor, hence its name, it was developed in Portugal in the 1950's. The Robusta lineage from its Timor parent gives these beans more bitterness, astringency, sourness and higher concentration of caffeine than typical Arabica. It also means that Catimor grows quicker, is higher producing, and more pest and rust resistant, and became a popular plant in South and Central America.

Also spelled Maragogype, this natural mutation of Typica was found growing near the city of Maragogipe in Brazil. Sometimes referred to as the 'Elephant coffee bean', these plants produce uniqely large beans. Though quality can vary, the finer selections are highly regarded for producing excellent cups.

A cross between Maragogipe and Pacas that underwent incomplete pedigree selection in El Salvador, Pacamara also produces large beans thanks to its lineage from Maragogipe. Pacamara is known for its potential for excellent cupping quality. With complex floral and citrusy flavors, it has dominated Cup of Excellence competitions in El Salvador.