Among coffee enthusiasts, Arabica coffee is one of the most fascinating and popular coffee varieties. But within the Arabica family, there’s a particularly intriguing variant: Catuai coffee. This variety has become a true insider tip among connoisseurs in recent years and deserves closer attention. In this article, we will explore Arabica coffee in general, as well as Catuai specifically. We will delve into its origin, flavor profile, and the unique characteristics of this coffee variety.
Catuai Features at a Glance
Catuai is a coffee variety with a relatively short growth height. It resulted from a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra. The optimal cultivation altitude for Catuai, depending on the latitude, is above 1,000 meters or even over 1,600 meters above sea level. This coffee variety has good yield potential and was developed by the Instituto Agronômico (IAC) in Brazil. The bean size of Catuai is average. Typically, the coffee plant produces its first fruits in the third year and delivers a sufficient yield.[1]
Where Can You Buy Arabica Coffee of the Catuai Variety?
Catuai is a widely grown coffee variety, but it is often not explicitly mentioned. Catuai is Arabica coffee, and many coffee packages are labeled with “100% Arabica”. However, the exact variety is frequently not specified, nor is the country of origin. If you now feel like trying Catuai coffee, you should buy Specialty Coffee. With Specialty Coffee, emphasis is typically placed on the coffee’s origin and quality. Information about the coffee variety, processing, and farm is often available here, including with our Novum Coffee. Our coffee beans from Brazil are Arabica coffee of the Catuai variety. In our Specialty Coffee Shop, you can not only buy coffee beans but also find plenty of information about our Arabica coffee.
What Does Catuai Arabica Coffee Taste Like?
Taste is a very individual matter. While some people detect specific flavors like dark chocolate or hazelnut, others may only identify a general direction like chocolatey or nutty. Furthermore, the final taste of the coffee also depends on the processing, roasting, and preparation. If I prepare the coffee incorrectly, even a chocolatey coffee can end up just tasting sour.
For our Arabica coffee of the Catuai variety, we have identified flavors of dark chocolate and hazelnut. We also noted a slight fruity hint of oranges. Generally speaking, this coffee is often appreciated for its balanced and mild flavor. Catuai is known for its sweet and gentle character, accompanied by a pleasant acidity. The flavors range from slightly fruity nuances like citrus and berries to subtle chocolatey notes.
What Does “100% Arabica Coffee” Actually Mean?
“100% Arabica Coffee” is a term frequently found on coffee packaging and in coffee houses, but what does it actually mean? This phrase refers to the Arabica coffee variety (Coffea arabica), one of the two main types of coffee beans alongside Robusta (Coffea canephora). If a package says “100% Arabica Coffee”, it means the coffee consists exclusively of beans from the Arabica variety and contains no blend of Robusta beans.
Arabica is generally characterized by a milder taste and a pleasant acidity, which makes it particularly popular among coffee enthusiasts. Especially in Germany, Arabica coffee is often preferred. In southern countries such as Italy, Robusta is more commonly found.
However, not all Arabica is the same. There are many different varieties within Arabica. Catuai and Lempira are also Arabica coffees. In most cases, though, the exact coffee variety is not disclosed. To find out more, one usually has to turn to Specialty Coffee. Those who buy coffee beans online often receive more detailed information about the beans and their origin.
The Origin of Catuai
Catuai is a coffee variety that was developed in Brazil by the Instituto Agronomico (IAC) in São Paulo’s Campinas region. It was created by crossing the high-yield Mundo Novo variety with the compact Caturra variety. In 1979, Catuai was first introduced in Honduras and tested by the Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFÉ). By 1983, it was commercially introduced, and for a while, Catuai accounted for nearly half of the Arabica coffee in local coffee cultivation.
It is also widespread in Costa Rica, where the variety was introduced in 1985. In Guatemala, it was introduced in 1970 and currently accounts for about 20% of the country’s coffee production. The name Catuai comes from the indigenous Guarani language and means “very good.” Additionally, there are variants with red fruits (Red Catuai) and variants with yellow fruits (Yellow Catuai).
Conclusion on Arabica Coffee Catuai
Arabica coffee of the Catuai variety is a remarkable and flavorful option in the world of coffee. With its balanced and mild flavor profile, ranging from sweet and fruity notes to a pleasant acidity, Catuai has captivated coffee enthusiasts worldwide. The combination of quality and diversity in terms of flavors makes it an attractive choice for discerning coffee drinkers. Whether as a filter coffee, espresso, or through other preparation methods, Catuai coffee offers a taste experience that fully highlights the uniqueness and refinement of Arabica beans. It’s definitely worth trying this coffee variety.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Arabica Coffee Catuai
Sources
- https://varieties.worldcoffeeresearch.org/varieties/lempira
