Catuai Coffee Beans: Red and Yellow Varietals

Catuai is a hybrid coffee varietal developed in Brazil in 1949 by crossing Mundo Novo and Caturra. Its botanical name is Coffea arabica L. var. Catuaí. Catuai coffee beans are small, round, and greenish-blue, growing inside red or yellow cherries. Catuai coffee has several varietals, including Red, Yellow, IAC SH3, and 99. This coffee has a balanced, sweet and acidic flavor. To choose the best Catuai beans, consider the origin, check the roast level, and look for specialty coffee brands like Colipse that roast to order in small batches. Other coffee varietals vary in production, flavor, yield, and availability.

What is Catuai Coffee?

Catuai is a hybrid coffee varietal developed by crossing Mundo Novo and Caturra by the Instituto Agronomico (IAC) in Brazil in 1949. The botanical name for Catuai coffee is Coffea arabica L. var. Catuaí. It combines the dwarf characteristics of Caturra with the performance and strength of the Mundo Novo. Catuai coffee is a high-yield Arabica cultivar with compact growth and average bean size, but highly susceptible to coffee leaf rust. Its compact growth and high yield make it ideal for developing resilient, high-performing cultivars suited for intensive planting and changing climate conditions. Catuai is used in coffee breeding to enhance productivity and adaptability. Researchers at the Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFÉ) cross it with disease-resistant varieties like Timor Hybrid to improve coffee leaf rust resistance.

Catuai coffee varital thrives in high-altitude regions, with optimal altitude varying by latitude. It requires 1200-1800 mm of annual rainfall, fertile volcanic soil (pH 4.67-6.34), and controlled shade for optimal growth. Catuai is tolerant to strong winds and rain but has high nutrient demands, requiring significant investment in soil fertility and organic nutrients. Catuai's compact size enables denser planting than Bourbon, effectively doubling yield and simplifying harvest. However, high-density planting can lead to canopy closure, which may reduce productivity. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain airflow, light penetration, and overall plant health.

What Does Catuai Mean?

The word "Catuai" comes from the Tupi-Guarani word "catuá" (or "katu'a"), meaning "very good" or simply "good." Tupi-Guarani is one of the most widespread language families in South America, consisting of about 50 languages. Tupi-Guarani languages were spoken by indigenous people where Catuai varietal was discovered in Brazil. Historically, these languages spread across Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, French Guiana, Peru, and Uruguay. "Catuai" is pronounced as kah-too-eye.

What are Catuai Coffee Beans?

Catuai coffee beans are the seeds of the Coffea arabica var. Catuai plant. They develop inside small cherries that ripen to red or yellow. Catuai plants grow between 1.5 and 2.5 meters in height. Catuai beans are vulnerable to leaf rust, fungal infections, and pests. The beans are small, round, and compact. Unroasted Catuai beans have a greenish-blue color, while roasted beans range from light to dark brown, depending on roast level. Catuai coffee beans yield 39 to 57 bags per hectare annually under rainfed conditions in Brazil, producing up to 20% more than Caturra, according to a 2019 study by Luiz Carlos Fazuoli in Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology. Optimized Catuai cultivars yield about 90% flat beans, reported by Fazuoli. A detailed table of Catuai coffee bean characteristics is shown below.

What are the Catuai Coffee Varietals?

Catuai coffee varietals include Red Catuai, Yellow Catuai, IAC Catuaí SH3, and Catuai 99. Red Catuai produces cherries that ripen to a deep red color, while Yellow Catuai ripens to a bright yellow. IAC Catuaí SH3 is a dwarf Arabica coffee variety developed by IAC. It offers high yields, improved resistance to coffee leaf rust, and drought tolerance. Catuai 99, or Catuaí Vermelho IAC 99, produces consistent yields, delivers high-quality cups, and adapts well to various growing conditions. The four main primary Catuai coffee varieties are listed in detail below.

1. Red Catuai
2. Yellow Catuai
3. IAC Catuaí SH3
4. Catuai 99

1. Red Catuai

Red Catuai, also known as Catuai Rojo or Catuai Vermelho, is a Coffea arabica variety that originated from the Catuai variety and produces red-ripening coffee cherries. The cherries mature to a bright cardinal red with thick, waxy skin. The beans are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and have a reddish-brown parchment when dried. The Red Catuai flavor profile features primary notes of milk chocolate, roasted almonds, and caramelized sugar, with secondary hints of raspberry, pomegranate, and warm spices like cardamom and nutmeg. It has medium malic acidity, similar to apples, and a velvety medium body with honey-like sweetness. Red Catuai beans thrive in high-altitude farms and are popular in specialty coffee. Finca Macho in Costa Rica cultivates Red Catuai at 1,900–2,000m and was a 2023 Cup of Excellence finalist. Kauai Coffee Estate in Hawaii produces award-winning Red Catuai, earning a 2022 Golden Bean Award for its medium-roast SHB.

2. Yellow Catuai

Yellow Catuai, or Catuai Amarillo, is an early-ripening mutation of Red Catuai, harvested at the yellow cherry stage. The name comes from its golden-yellow cherry coloration at optimal harvest time. Cherries appear lemon-yellow when ripe and have thinner skin than the red variant. Beans are slightly smaller, ranging from 14-16 screen size, with pale greenish-yellow parchment. The flavor profile of Yellow Catuai coffee beans includes primary notes of citrus zest, raw honey, and sweetgrass, with secondary hints of cashew, cardamom, and dried apricot. It has bright citric acidity (pH 4.8-5.1) and a lighter body with a dry finish. Cup scores typically range from 83 to 85 points, with top lots scoring higher. For example, Vista Brigadeiro farm in Matas de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, owned by Waldemar Ferreira De Paula Neto, produces a wet-processed Yellow Catuai coffee that scored 89.93 in the 2024 Brazil Cup of Excellence.

3. IAC Catuai SH3

IAC Catuai SH3 is a dwarf Arabica coffee variety developed by the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) in Brazil in 1967. IAC Catuaí SH3 results from crossing Catuaí Vermelho and BA10, incorporating the SH3 gene for rust resistance. This gene, derived from C. liberica, ensures durable rust resistance in Brazil. IAC Catuaí SH3 is high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and vigorous, with an intermediate ripening cycle. Its ripe fruits are red, oblong, and medium to large. Beans are short and large, with a late to very late ripening cycle. It is susceptible to nematodes and brown eye spot. Its cup quality is similar to Catuaí, scoring an average of 85.5 points on the SCAA scale.

4. Catuai 99

Catuai 99 refers to a specific selection, or line, of the Catuai coffee variety. It is widely grown in Brazil and Central America due to its compact growth, which supports high-density planting. Available in red and yellow variants, it thrives at 900–1,230 meters. Catuai 99 delivers a balanced flavor with chocolate, caramel, red fruit, and citrus notes. Catuai 99 is primarily natural-processed but also appears in fermented and honey-processed forms. It is resistant to strong winds but susceptible to leaf rust, making it a reliable yet delicate choice for specialty coffee markets. The 9th place winner of the 2023 Brazil Cup of Excellence, scoring 87.38 points, was an experimental Catuai 99 lot from Fazenda Lagoa Dos Estulanos.

What Does Catuai Coffee Taste Like?

Catuai coffee has a balanced flavor with a mix of sweetness and acidity. Common tasting notes include chocolate, caramel, nuts, citrus, honey, almond, spices, brown sugar, pastry, and mild cooked fruit. The specific flavor profile varies based on several factors. Red Catuai has a fuller body with complex flavors, while Yellow Catuai is sweeter, more floral, and has a softer body. Growing conditions, processing methods, and roast level affect taste. For example, a washed Catuai from Bolivia, when lightly roasted, has fruit and berry notes. Light to medium roasting ensures optimal quality, but well-grown and processed Catuai can also produce a great cup when roasted dark.

How to Choose the Best Catuai Coffee Beans?

To choose the best Catuai coffee beans, start by following these six steps below.

1. Determine Origin: Select beans from regions known for high-quality Catuai, such as Brazil or Central America.
2. Check Roast Level: Choose a roast that matches your preference, from light to dark.
3. Look for Freshness: Buy freshly roasted beans, ideally within two weeks of roasting.
4. Evaluate Processing Method: Opt for washed or natural processing based on flavor preference.
5. Verify Certification: Look for organic or fair-trade labels for quality assurance.
6. Read Reviews: Check customer feedback for insights on flavor and quality.

What is the Best Catuai Coffee?

The best Catuai coffee is the one that scores 85 or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale. These beans are fully traceable, meaning their origin and processing are easy to verify. Origin, roast level and processing methods affect the final cup. Brazilian and Costa Rican Catuai offer balanced acidity and sweetness. A light to medium roast best preserves Catuai’s delicate flavors. Washed Catuai produces a cleaner flavor, while natural processing enhances fruity notes.

Single-varietal Catuai coffees from farms like Fazenda Moete in Chapada Diamantina and Fazenda Lagoa Seca in Cerrado Mineiro are often considered top-tier. Other specialty coffee brands, like Colipse, offers fully traceable, single-origin coffee, including Catuai beans from top-growing regions such as Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Where to Buy Costa Rica Catuai Coffee Beans?

You can buy Costa Rica Catuai coffee beans from various online and specialty coffee brands, including Colipse Coffee, which offers Costa Rica Pérez Zeledón, a blend of Red Catuai and Caturra varieties. This single-origin coffee from Costa Rica’s Brunca region grows at 1,400-2,000 meters. It has a medium-light roast with notes of lemon, brown sugar, stone fruit, peach, dark chocolate, and a hint of floral. Each 12-ounce bag is freshly roasted after you place the order and delivered within 5 business days.

How Does Catuai Differ from Other Coffee Varieties?

The main difference between Catuai, other coffee varietals, and Arabica lies in genetics and growth characteristics. Catuai is a hybrid of Mundo Novo and Caturra, known for compact growth and high yield. Arabica includes multiple varietals, like Bourbon and Typica, offering diverse flavors. Other coffee varietals differ in disease resistance, yield, and taste profiles.

What is the Difference between Catuai and Caturra?

The primary difference between Catuai and Caturra lies in production, flavor, yield, and availability. Catuai is a hybrid with higher yield and better resistance to wind and rain, making it ideal for large-scale production. Caturra coffee, a natural mutation of Bourbon, has lower yield but higher quality flavor with bright acidity. Both are widely available but preferred in different growing conditions.