Knowledge · plant
Catimor
Coffea arabica × canephora (interspecific hybrid)
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Key facts
- Scientific name
- Coffea arabica × canephora
- Parent varieties
- Caturra and Timor Hybrid
- Origin
- Portugal, 1959
- Key trait
- Rust resistance and high yields
- Flavor profile
- Variable; heavy, herbaceous, sometimes astringent
- Aroma
- Earthy, sometimes herbaceous
- Beans we stock
- 4 Catimor coffees
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
See also