What exactly is Bourbon coffee?
Bourbon is a botanical varietalof Coffea arabica, meaning it's not an origin, a roast, or a specific country, but rather the genetics of the plant itself. The varietal originated as a natural mutation of Typica, one of the two oldest coffee varietals in the world, and was first cultivated on the island of Bourbon in the Indian Ocean.
Today, Bourbon is grown in large parts of Central and South America as well as East Africa, and it is considered one of the varietals that provides the most flavor depth in the cup. This is also why you often see the name highlighted on technical data labels from us and other specialty coffee roasters; the varietal is simply part of the story of why the coffee tastes the way it does.
Why is it called Bourbon coffee?
One of the questions we most often encounter is why a coffee varietal is named after a French colonial island. The answer is straightforward: the island of Bourbon (now Réunion, east of Madagascar) was one of the first places outside of Ethiopia and Yemen where Arabica coffee was cultivated on a large scale. The plants that grew there gradually developed their own genetic characteristics, and when they were later spread to Latin America and Africa, they carried the name with them.
In other words, Bourbon has nothing to do with the beverage of the same name. It's a pure coincidence in naming, but a good story when you serve the coffee to guests.
How Bourbon coffee tastes
If you ask "how does Bourbon coffee taste?", the short answer is: sweet, round, and with low to moderate acidity. The Bourbon plant produces fewer, but denser beans than many other varietals, which often results in a more concentrated sweetness and a fuller body in the cup.
However, the taste varies depending on where the beans are grown, just like with wine. Our own Finca Ceylan from Guatemala, which is grown from the Bourbon varietal, for example, offers notes of pistachio, caramel, and blood orange with a velvety mouthfeel, while our Campo Das Vertentes from Brazil, grown from Yellow Bourbon, provides a sweeter, more balanced cup with caramel, cookie dough, and red currants.
Bourbon vs. other coffee varietals
A question many people ask is how Bourbon differs from other well-known Arabica varietals like Typica and Caturra. Here are the key differences:
Varietal: Bourbon
Origin: Natural mutation of Typica, island of Bourbon (Réunion)
Flavor profile: Sweet, round, full body, mild acidity
Characteristics: Considered one of the most flavorful varietals
Varietal: Typica
Origin: One of the two oldest Arabica varietals
Flavor profile: Clean, clear, often floral and fruity notes
Characteristics: Lower yield, highly sought-after quality
Varietal: Caturra
Origin: Natural mutation of Bourbon
Flavor profile: Lively acidity, lighter body
Characteristics: Smaller plant, higher yield, popular among farmers
Caturra is actually a mutation of Bourbon itself, so if you've tasted both, you've effectively tasted two branches of the same genetic family.
