Bean Basics: Intro to the Caturra Varietal

Photo via World Coffee Research

You may be familiar with the fact that there are many different types of coffee beans out there known as “varietals.” Just like there are different varieties of apples, there are different varieties of the coffee plan. Each varietal has its own unique characteristics and preferred growing conditions. One varietal that you may have heard of is Caturra.

What is Caturra?

Caturra is a varietal originating from Brazil. It was first discovered in the early 20th century and is a naturally occurring mutation of the Bourbon varietal. Caturra is a dwarf variety, meaning that it is shorter in stature compared with other coffee plants. This makes it easier to maintain and harvest (one of the reasons why it is so popular).

Flavor Profile

The Caturra varietal is known for generally having bright acidity, medium body, and a nice complexity. It also can have a sweet aftertaste, making it well sought after by coffee buyers.

Where is Caturra Grown?

Caturra is grown in many countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. However, one of the most noteworthy countries (and obviously, our favorite) for Caturra cultivation is Honduras. Honduras’ diverse geography and ideal growing conditions make it an excellent location for growing high-quality Caturra coffee plants.

It is a high yielding coffee plant but also can be easily susceptible to leaf rust making it a more delicate and risky coffee to plant in volume. As a result, farmers have begun producing hybrid Caturra varieties to increase the resistance to the disease. 

Our Caturra Coffees

We grow Caturra on our family farms, Santa Lucia and La Esmeralda.