Coffee Varieties

Every coffee plant has its own story to tell.

When people think about exceptional coffee, they often focus on origin, processing or roasting. Yet long before any of those steps, much of a coffee's potential is already written in its genetics.

Just like apples or grapes, coffee exists in many different varieties, each with its own characteristics, strengths and flavour potential.

Landrace, Variety or Cultivar?

These terms are often used interchangeably in specialty coffee, but they describe different things.

• Landrace – Naturally occurring coffee populations that evolved over generations within a specific region.
• Variety – A naturally occurring, genetically distinct population within a coffee species.
• Cultivar – A cultivated variety developed by humans through selective breeding to improve traits such as yield, cup quality or disease resistance.

Many modern coffees combine genetics from different lineages to improve resilience while preserving—or even enhancing—cup quality.

Well-Known Arabica Varieties

Typica
One of the oldest Arabica varieties, known for its excellent balance, sweetness and classic coffee profile.

Bourbon
A natural mutation of Typica with higher yields and greater sweetness and complexity.

Gesha
A rare Ethiopian variety famous for elegant florals, delicate citrus and remarkable complexity.

Landrace
Traditional Ethiopian heirloom coffees that evolved naturally over centuries and represent extraordinary genetic diversity.

SL28 & SL34
Kenyan cultivars developed by Scott Laboratories, celebrated for vibrant acidity, structured body and expressive fruit character.

Catuai
A versatile cultivar known for its resilience, reliable production and balanced flavour profile.

Caturra
A compact Bourbon mutation with high productivity and a sweet, balanced cup.

Sidra
A rare variety known for lively fruit flavours, floral aromatics and exceptional complexity.

Castillo
A modern cultivar bred for resistance to coffee leaf rust while maintaining a balanced cup profile.

Chiroso
A rare Colombian cultivar celebrated for its bright florals, juicy fruit character and expressive cup profile.

Genetics Are Only the Beginning

An exceptional variety alone does not guarantee an exceptional coffee.

Only when genetics, terroir, harvesting, processing, roasting and brewing come together does coffee reach its full potential.

The variety defines the potential. Every step that follows determines how much of that potential reaches your cup.

Continue Your Journey:
→ Processing & Drying
Discover how different processing methods transform the flavour of coffee long before roasting begins.