Caturra Coffee Beans: Taste and Varietals
Updated - Team Colipse
Caturra coffee, a natural mutation of the Bourbon variety, is a primary cultivar for breeding new varieties. The name "Caturra" comes from the Guarani word for "small," referring to the plant's dwarfism. Caturra coffee beans are seeds from the Coffea arabica var. Caturra plant. They have a balanced, sweet, and citrusy flavor with medium acidity. Caturra coffee has four varieties: Red, Yellow, Purple, and Chiroso. The best Caturra beans score 85+ on the SCAA scale, are traceable, and carefully cultivated. For the best beans, buy from specialty coffee brands, like Colipse. Other coffee varietals, like Typica or Geisha, have different growth, yields, and tastes.
What is Caturra Coffee?
Caturra coffee is a natural mutation of Bourbon variety and a primary cultivar for breeding new coffee varieties. Caturra is a high-quality variety of Coffea arabica widely grown in Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. The botanical name for Caturra coffee is Coffea arabica var. Caturra. The Caturra variety was discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 1915 and 1918. The Brazilian Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) selected it for its small size and closely spaced secondary branches, which increase fruit production.
Caturra coffee is a dwarf variety with a shorter stature than other coffee plants. It thrives in regions with 3,000 mm of annual rainfall and fertile soil. With proper care, it yields more than Bourbon. A 2017 study by Liliana Estrella Gamonal published in Ciência Rural found Caturra coffee has better aroma, flavor, and acidity when grown at 1,200–2,000 meters. However, Caturra varietal is vulnerable to diseases like coffee leaf rust, nematodes, and coffee borer disease. It requires careful cultivation, diligent pest management, and partial shade.
What Does Caturra Mean?
The name "Caturra" comes from the Guarani word meaning "small" and refers to the plant's dwarfism caused by a natural mutation of the Bourbon variety. The Guarani language was spoken by the indigenous people in the region where Caturra was discovered in Brazil. Guarani is an official language of Paraguay, spoken by most of the population. It is also a second official language in Corrientes, Argentina, and Tacuru, Brazil. Dwarfism in coffee results from a genetic mutation that reduces plant height. This trait appears in coffee varieties like Caturra and Pacas, which are natural Bourbon mutations. "Caturra" is pronounced kah-TOOR-ah in English.
What are Caturra Coffee Beans?
Caturra coffee beans are the seeds of the Coffea arabica var. Caturra plant. These beans develop inside the Caturra coffee cherry, which ripens to red or yellow. Most cherries contain two small beans, though some form a single rounded bean. Caturra plants grow to 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 meters). They produce smaller, denser beans than Typica or Bourbon while maintaining high cup quality.
Caturra coffee beans are rounder than Typica or Bourbon, with high ends and a depressed center. Some beans lack a central groove. The slope's edge is subtle, and the flat part is irregular. Most beans are medium-sized, around a screen size of 16. Caturra coffee cherries ripen red or yellow, with Yellow Caturra maturing faster due to a recessive gene. Red Caturra offers sweeter notes of chocolate, grapefruit, and berries, while Yellow Caturra has tropical fruit flavors. A detailed table of Caturra coffee bean characteristics follows below.
| Caturra Coffee Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Coffee Bean Species | Arabica (a natural mutation of Bourbon) |
| Agronomic Traits | High altitude cultivation (1,000-2,000 meters above sea level), dwarf/compact plant, good yield potential, susceptible to coffee leaf rust (La Roya) and coffee berry borer (La Broca), requires careful management |
| Climate Adaptability | Best in areas with around 3,000mm of annual rainfall, adaptable to hot temperatures, prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, benefits from cooler temperatures and rich volcanic soils, resilient to droughts and wind |
| Coffee Bean Varieties | Red Caturra, Yellow Caturra, hybrids like Catuai, Catimor, Maracaturra, and Pache Colis |
| Fruit Characteristics | Smaller cherries and beans compared to Typica or Bourbon, dense coffee cherries, oval-shaped cherries that turn bright red or yellow when ripe |
| Coffee Bean Size | Smaller than Arabica beans; average length is around 8-12 mm, with a thickness of about 6-8 mm |
| Bean Color | Green beans have a dense structure, yellowish or pale color before roasting |
| Caffeine Content | ~1.2–1.5% (typical for Arabica) |
| Moisture Content | 8–12% (post-drying) |
| Fat Content | ~15–17% (lipids) |
| Protein Content | ~8.7–12.2% (varies with processing) |
| Carbohydrate Content | ~50–60% (primarily polysaccharides) |
| pH & Acidity | pH: 4.8–5.2; Bright citric acidity (lemon, lime, grapefruit) |
| Processing | Washed, Honey, Natural |
| Flavor Profile | Bright acidity and balanced flavor, sweet, fruity, or floral aroma, notes of citrus, tropical fruits, chocolate, caramel, distinctive blueberry aroma (unroasted), medium body |
| Time to First Fruiting | Plants generally begin flowering three to four years after planting |
| Productive Lifespan | 15–20 years (reduced due to disease susceptibility) |
| Harvesting Method | Manual selective picking |
| Post Harvest Processing | Fermentation (12–48 hrs), sun-drying on patios or raised beds, hulling |
| Uses | Specialty single-origin brews, Espresso blends, Pour-over, French press, cold brew |
| Most Producing Countries | Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru |
What Does Caturra Coffee Taste Like?
Caturra coffee has a balanced, sweet, and citrusy flavor with medium acidity. Its bright and clean cup profile includes notes of citrus, tropical fruits, chocolate, and caramel. Its aroma is sweet, fruity, or floral, with a mildly sour taste and a sweet aftertaste. Caturra coffee’s taste depends on growing conditions and processing. Naturally processed Caturra has intense red berry and tropical fruit flavors. For example, natural processed Volcan Azul Caturra, grown at the Volcan Azul farm by Alejo Castro Kahle in Costa Rica, offers a complex and balanced flavor with notes of dried fig, blueberry, apricot, and vanilla. Washed Caturra offers more clarity and brightness.
Different Caturra varietals have unique flavor profiles. Red Caturra features chocolate, grapefruit, and berry notes. Yellow Caturra presents tropical fruit flavors. Caturra Chiroso blends Caturra and Chiroso traits, offering bright acidity, floral notes like jasmine or orange blossom, fruity undertones of citrus and stone fruits, honey-like sweetness, and a tea-like body. The following table presents a detailed description of the major Caturra coffee flavors.
| Flavor Category | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Primary Coffee Flavors |
Sweet: Chocolate, caramelized sugar, honey Citrus Fruit: Grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime Cocoa: Rich chocolate notes |
| Secondary Coffee Flavors |
Floral: Light floral notes adding complexity Berry: Berry notes influenced by processing and growing region Nutty/Cocoa: Hazelnut, almond complementing cocoa flavors |
| Tertiary Flavors (Examples) |
Brown Sugar: Enhances sweetness Tropical Fruits: Can emerge with specific processing methods Spices: Mild spice notes like clove or cinnamon |
Is Caturra Coffee Good?
Yes, Caturra coffee is generally considered a good for its balanced, sweet, and citrusy flavor, bright acidity, and clean cup. Its versatility makes it popular among coffee enthusiasts and specialty roasters. Caturra coffee beans are versatile and suit various brewing methods. Dark roasted Caturra beans work well for espresso. Light and medium roasts are ideal for pour-over and drip coffee. Medium roasted beans fit French press brewing.
What are the Different Caturra Coffee Varietals?
Caturra coffee has four main varieties: Red Caturra, Yellow Caturra, Purple Caturra, and Caturra Chiroso. Red Caturra produces red cherries when ripe, while Yellow Caturra develops yellow cherries. Both are compact mutations of Bourbon coffee, offering high yields and rich flavors with balanced acidity. They are commonly grown in Latin America due to their adaptability. Purple Caturra is a rare coffee variety known for its distinct purple-hued cherries. The four primary caturra coffee varieties are listed in detail below.
- Red Caturra
- Yellow Caturra
- Purple Caturra
- Caturra Chiroso
1. Red Caturra Coffee
Red Caturra, or Caturra Rojo, is a variation of the Caturra coffee variety, distinct from Yellow Caturra due to its red cherries and unique flavor profile. The taste of Red Caturra coffee is popular in specialty coffee, winning some of the most prestigious awards. Finca La Bendición, owned by José Liberato Jarquín Agurcia in Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, won awards in the 2018 Cup of Excellence with its Red Caturra, scoring 87.09. La Ampliación, owned by Guillermo Montenegro Ayestas in Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, won awards in the same 2018 competition, scoring 88.42 for its washed Red Caturra.
Natural Red Caturra is sweeter than the Yellow variety, featuring chocolate, grapefruit, and berry notes. Some detect vanilla sweetness and apricot fruitiness, with a chocolate and spice aftertaste. Red Caturra beans adapt well to various roast levels. Lighter roasts enhance acidity, ideal for pour-over or drip brewing. Medium to dark roasts bring out sweetness, making them suitable for automatic drip, French press, espresso, and cold brew.
2. Yellow Caturra Coffee
Yellow Caturra, or Caturra Amarillo, is a variation of the Caturra coffee variety with ripe yellow cherries, resulting from a recessive gene. Yellow Caturra ripens faster than Red Caturra. Yellow Caturra and Mundo Novo created the Catuai hybrid. Yellow Caturra has honey-like sweetness, citrus acidity, chocolatey notes, and a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. This coffee features bright citrus acidity, often lime-like, with cacao, tropical fruit, and floral sweetness. Typically washed-processed, some of the best lots use anaerobic fermentation to enhance flavor. For example, an anaerobic washed Yellow Caturra from Miranda Farms in Ka‘ū, Hawaii, scored 87.00 at the 2023 Private Collection Auction: Best of Ka‘ū Coffee.
3. Purple Caturra Coffee
Purple Caturra is a rare sub-varietal of the Caturra coffee variety with deep purple cherries when ripe. Purple Caturra grows in Colombia, mainly in Huila and Acevedo, at altitudes of 1,730 to 1,900 meters. Farms like Finca Monteblanco, managed by Rodrigo Sánchez Valencia, cultivate it alongside Geisha and Bourbon Rosado. Monteblanco Purple Caturra Tropical Co-fermented Washed won a Golden Bean Award in 2023, the world's largest coffee roasting competition. Its flavor profile includes tamarind, honey, cocoa powder, chocolate, red fruit, and brown sugar, with some variations showing tropical notes like passion fruit and lychee.
4. Caturra Chiroso Coffee
Caturra Chiroso is a mutation of the Caturra and Chiroso varieties, primarily grown in Colombia’s high-altitude regions like Antioquia. It has short, light green leaves and high yields but is vulnerable to coffee leaf rust. Caturra Chiroso variety offers a complex flavor with bright acidity, floral notes, and fruity undertones. It has a silky mouthfeel, balanced sweetness, and a tea-like body. Caturra Chiroso is emerging as a high-quality coffee variety, gaining prominence in competitions. For example, it was used in the 2024 Indonesia Barista Champion's 1st place-winning coffee by Mikael Jasin and in the 3rd place coffee at the 2023 US Brewers Cup Championship by Daniel Teplitz.
How to Choose the Best Caturra Coffee Beans?
To choose the best Caturra coffee beans, start by following these six steps.
- Check the Origin: Look for beans from regions known for high-quality Caturra, like Colombia or Costa Rica.
- Select Fresh Beans: Buy freshly roasted beans and check the roast date.
- Consider Roast Level: Choose a roast that suits your brewing method.
- Evaluate Processing Method: Washed Caturra beans offer clean flavors, while natural processing enhances sweetness.
- Smell and Inspect: Fresh beans should have a strong aroma and uniform appearance.
- Buy from Trusted Sources: Purchase from reputable roasters or specialty coffee shops.
What are the Best Caturra Coffee Beans?
The best Caturra coffee beans are the ones that score 85+ on the SCAA scale, are fully traceable, and carefully cultivated. Some of the best Caturra beans are single varietals, like the Finca Milan Caturra (Finca Milán coffee farm, Vereda El Hogar, Pereira, Colombia) with tasting notes of cocoa, black plum, and pear, or the Panama Carmen Estate 1900 Caturra Natural by Carlos Aguilera, a Best of Panama 2023 winner.
While Colipse doesn't sell single varietals Caturra beans specifically, we offer other excellent single-origin Colombian, Costa Rican, and Guatemalan beans that include Caturra as part of a blend. For example, our Café del Macizo's Colombia beans from Tolima offer bright acidity and sweetness of Caturra and delicate notes of Red Catuai varietal.
Where to Buy Colombia Caturra Coffee Beans?
You can buy Colombia Caturra coffee beans from specialty coffee roasters, online marketplaces like Amazon or Sweet Maria's, and direct from farms in Colombia. Look for single-origin or direct-trade options for the best quality. Local specialty coffee shops may also carry fresh Caturra beans. Colipse offers Excelso-grade washed Colombia Caturra coffee beans in 12-ounce bags for $21.99 USD, freshly roasted to order with free shipping.
What is the Price of Caturra Coffee Beans?
Caturra coffee bean prices in the U.S. range from $15 to $25 per pound for specialty grades, varying by quality, origin, and retailer. Prices fluctuate, so checking with specific roasters or online retailers ensures accurate rates.
How Does Caturra Compare to Other Coffee Varietals?
The main difference between Caturra coffee and other Arabica coffee varieties lies in its plant size and flavor profile. Caturra is a dwarf mutation of Bourbon, producing a compact plant ideal for high-density planting. It offers bright acidity and a smooth body, while other varietals, such as Typica or Geisha, may have different growth patterns, yields, and taste characteristics. Parainema, a hybrid from Honduras, has a complex, fruity, and herbal taste with high resistance to coffee leaf rust.
What is the Difference between Caturra and Bourbon?
Caturra, a dwarf mutation of Bourbon, is shorter, easier to harvest, and yields more. Bourbon coffee produces sweeter, more complex flavors but yields less and needs more care.
What is the Difference between Caturra and Catuai?
Caturra has a shorter stature and moderate yield. Catuai, a Mundo Novo and Caturra hybrid, is more compact and productive, ideal for high-density planting in windy areas.