Varieties

Understand the plant names on a coffee label, then explore the names recorded in our catalogue.

Species is the broader botanical level: Arabica is Coffea arabica, while Robusta refers to Coffea canephora. Cultivated varieties sit within these species. Source: WCR catalogue

A selection comes from choosing plants within existing material: SL28, for example, was selected from Tanganyika Drought Resistant material. A landrace is a locally adapted population with a history of cultivation, rather than a guarantee of one uniform genotype. Source: WCR SL28 Source: WCR Arabica history

Geisha and Gesha spellings do not identify a single genetic line. Several genetically different types share these names; the Panama profile below concerns the T2722 line specifically. Source: WCR Geisha (Panama)

Use these profiles to compare plant history and growing characteristics. Quality and yield descriptions concern potential under growing conditions; they do not promise the flavour of an individual roasted coffee. Source: WCR catalogue guide

9752 of 15368 coffees we track have a plant name the dictionary recognises; 1661 have at least one unresolved variety label.

A catalogue label is not a genetic test. Where a recorded name does not identify a verified profile, we show “Name recorded; profile not yet verified.”

Species names

Source: WCR species · Source: SICC Liberica

Canephora
2 coffees

Varieties with a verified profile

Landrace labels

Ethiopian landraces (unidentified)
710 coffees

Other recorded names

289

Bourbon

Bourbon is a tall Arabica variety, with a history passing through Yemen and Réunion before spreading to other growing countries. It has very good quality potential at high altitude, relatively low production, and susceptibility to major coffee diseases. Source: WCR Bourbon

Typica

Typica is a tall Arabica variety whose cultivated history passes through Yemen, India and Java. It has very low yield, good quality potential at high altitude, and susceptibility to major diseases. Source: WCR Typica

Caturra

Caturra arose as a natural mutation of Bourbon in Brazil. Its compact plant makes it different from tall Bourbon; it has medium yield, good quality potential at high altitude, and high susceptibility to coffee leaf rust. Source: WCR Caturra

Catuai

Catuai comes from a cross of Mundo Novo and Caturra developed in Brazil. It is compact, with red- and yellow-fruited selections, medium yield and high susceptibility to coffee leaf rust. Source: WCR Catuai

SL28

SL28 was selected in Kenya from Tanganyika Drought Resistant material and belongs to the Bourbon genetic group. It is known for drought tolerance and exceptional quality potential at high altitude, but is susceptible to major coffee diseases. Source: WCR SL28

SL34

SL34 was selected in Kenya; genetic evidence places it with Typica-related varieties despite its historical French Mission label. It is adapted to high-altitude areas with good rainfall, with exceptional quality potential and susceptibility to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease. Source: WCR SL34

Geisha (Panama / T2722)

This profile concerns the T2722 line, which travelled from Ethiopia through Tanzania and CATIE to Panama. Its low yield and exceptional quality potential at high altitude should not be applied to every coffee labelled Geisha or Gesha. Source: WCR Geisha (Panama)

A coffee recorded only as Geisha or Gesha is not identified here as T2722. Keep the producer's stated line when one is available.

Castillo

Caturra is a parent of Castillo, a rust-resistant variety. Castillo 2.0 was released in Colombia in 2024; that release must not be treated as the identity of every coffee labelled Castillo. Source: WCR Caturra Source: WCR Colombia