About the “superhero” Catimor coffee variety

The creation of Catimor coffee variety

Catimor is a hybrid variety, resulting from the crossbreeding of Caturra and Timor Hybrid, first developed in Portugal in 1959. In the late 1950s, Central and South America faced widespread coffee plant diseases, particularly affecting Bourbon, Typica, and Moka varieties. To combat this, scientists sought to develop a disease-resistant coffee variety. The Portuguese Coffee Institute (CIFC) received a significant amount of Timor Hybrid seeds from Timor Island, known for its natural resistance due to its Robusta heritage. These seeds formed the foundation for developing Catimor, a variety recognized for its high yield and disease resistance.

Why is Catimor’s origin controversial?

The controversy stems from Catimor's parentage. On one side, Caturra, an Arabica variety, is a natural mutation of Bourbon from Brazil. On the other side, Timor Hybrid, a Robusta variety, brings in traits that led some to question Catimor's quality, as it is not a pure Arabica. However, Catimor has proven itself with strong health and a well-regarded flavor profile, characterized by a sweet and subtly acidic taste.

Catimor is a coffee variety created by crossbreeding Caturra with Timor Hybrid, first developed in Portugal in 1959.

Catimor coffee is a savior for coffee-growing regions due to its adaptability and resilience.

Morphological features

• Size and Structure: Catimor coffee plants are compact, growing to about 1.5 to 2.5 meters in height, with a bushy appearance similar to tea plants.
• Fruit and Leaves: The beans are small to medium-sized, oval-shaped, and turn bright red or deep red when ripe. The leaves are long, oval, and dark green, with slightly wavy edges, covering the entire plant.

Cultivation conditions

• Altitude: Ideally grown at elevations between 550-1920 meters, with the best results at 700-1000 meters.
• Climate: Prefers a temperate climate with temperatures between 18°C and 24°C. Extreme temperatures can negatively impact the plant and bean quality.
• Soil: Thrives in loose, well-draining, and nutrient-rich soil, such as basaltic or sandy loam, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Notable advantages

• High Yield: Well-maintained Catimor can produce 4-5 tons per hectare, thanks to its compact size, allowing dense planting and quick maturation.
• Disease Resistance: Catimor's canopy covers the trunk, reducing the risk of stem-boring pests and offering strong resistance to diseases like leaf rust.

Catimor coffee plants typically grow as small bushes with small leaves, appearing short and compact, similar to tea plants.

Being a hybrid, Catimor retains many flavors from its parent varieties, featuring a distinct acidity, pleasant sweetness, and notes of berries, brown sugar, and vanilla. The cup is aromatic with hints of herbs and cherries, leaving a refreshing aftertaste. The flavor profile varies depending on the growing conditions, with lower altitudes yielding a taste similar to Bourbon, while higher elevations (above 1200 meters) give it a mild bitterness, light acidity, and sweet notes akin to Caturra.

Despite not having a highly complex flavor, Catimor is widely cultivated and has been developed into various types based on regional characteristics:

• Catimor T-8667: Known for high yield and resistance to rust, adaptable to acidic soils, recommended for altitudes between 800-1400 meters.
• Catimor T-5269: Thrives at lower altitudes (700-1000 meters) with high rainfall, suitable for many regions in Vietnam.
• Catimor T-5175: Easy to cultivate and high-yielding, though it lacks consistency across generations.

The Catimor variety is still widely cultivated across many farms in various countries.

The specialty coffee world is dominated by renowned varieties like Gesha, Bourbon, and Typica, posing challenges for Catimor with its less prominent flavor notes. However, evaluating Catimor’s potential involves considering factors like climate change, market demands, and disease resistance.

• Disease resistance and climate adaptation: Catimor's strong resistance to rust and adaptability to various climates make it a valuable choice in the face of climate change.
• Productivity: According to Colombia’s National Coffee Research Center (CENICAFE), Catimor can produce 30-50% more than other Arabica varieties, contributing significantly to global coffee production, especially in regions like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil.

Conclusion

While Catimor may not offer the complex flavors of premium Arabica varieties, its stability, adaptability, and disease resistance make it a valuable player in the global coffee industry. As climate change and disease threats intensify, Catimor's role may grow, though enhancing its flavor and quality will be key to securing a place in the premium market.

We can anticipate that Catimor coffee will see further growth in regions at high risk of disease and climate change.

Q1: Why is Catimor coffee considered a "superhero" in the coffee industry?

Catimor coffee earns its "superhero" status due to its exceptional resistance to leaf rust, a major coffee disease, and its high yield. These qualities, along with its adaptability to various environments and market demand for disease-resistant coffee varieties, have driven Catimor's popularity, especially in the context of increasing climate change challenges.

Q2: How was the Catimor coffee variety developed?

Catimor was developed in 1959 in Portugal by crossbreeding Caturra (an Arabica variety) with Timor Hybrid (a Robusta variety). This combination provided Catimor with the disease resistance of Timor Hybrid and the high yield of Caturra, allowing it to thrive in diverse cultivation conditions.

Q3: What are the ideal cultivation conditions for Catimor coffee?

Catimor coffee thrives best at altitudes between 700-1000 meters, in temperate climates with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C. It requires well-draining, nutrient-rich soil, ideally with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

Q4: How is the flavor of Catimor coffee typically described?

Catimor coffee is characterized by a clear acidity, a pleasant sweetness, and notes of berries and brown sugar. The flavor can vary based on growing conditions; at lower altitudes, it resembles Bourbon, while at higher elevations (above 1200 meters), it develops a mild bitterness with a light acidity and sweet undertones, similar to Caturra.

Q5: Why is Catimor still a viable choice for many farmers today?

Despite not having the complex flavor profile of other specialty coffees, Catimor remains a viable choice due to its high yield, strong disease resistance, and stability in various cultivation environments. These traits are especially important as farmers face increasing challenges from climate change and plant diseases.