Catimor

Catimor is a family of crosses between Caturra and the Timor Hybrid (a natural Arabica × Robusta hybrid carrying rust resistance), begun in Portugal in 1959. It introduced robusta-derived disease resistance and high yields into compact Arabica plants, and became enormously important after leaf-rust epidemics — but early Catimors were often criticised for inferior cups. Continued selection has improved quality, and Catimor genetics underpin many modern resistant varieties worldwide.

At a glance

• Scientific name: Coffea arabica × canephora (interspecific hybrid)
• Parent varieties: Caturra, Timor Hybrid
• Identified: 1959
• Flavor: Variable; can be heavy or herbaceous, sometimes astringent.
• Aroma: Earthy, sometimes herbaceous.
• Disease resistance: High (rust)
• Cup potential: Variable