Bourbon

Origin and General Characteristics

Bourbon is the most famous of the varieties originating from the Bourbon group. It is a tall variety characterized by relatively low yield, susceptibility to the most important coffee plant diseases, and excellent cup quality.

History and Spread

French missionaries brought the Bourbon variety from Yemen to Bourbon Island (today Réunion) in the early 18th century. It is from this island that the variety received its name. Bourbon did not leave the island until the mid-19th century, but from around 1850, it began to spread as missionaries established posts in Africa and the Americas.

Bourbon in Latin America

The variety arrived in Brazil around 1860 and from there quickly spread north to other parts of South and Central America, where it is still cultivated. In this area, it was crossed with other Bourbon-related varieties that originated from India and native Ethiopian varieties.

Contemporary Presence

Today, many Bourbon-type varieties exist in East Africa, but none fully correspond to the original Bourbon variety known from Latin America. Nowadays, Bourbon has been largely replaced by its descendant varieties, such as Caturra, Catuai, and Mundo Novo. Nevertheless, original Bourbon is still cultivated in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru.