Bourbon Coffee
38 coffees · 16 roasters · Sorted by expert rating
Bourbon is one of the two foundational Arabica cultivars, alongside Typica — descended from plants French colonists carried to Bourbon Island (now Réunion) in the 18th century. Lower-yielding than modern hybrids but prized for cup quality, Bourbon and its mutations now anchor coffee-growing regions across Latin America and East Africa, especially Rwanda and Burundi.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a coffee variety and a coffee origin?
Origin is where a coffee is grown (Ethiopia, Colombia); variety (or cultivar) is the specific genetic strain of the Coffea arabica plant itself — like a grape varietal in wine. The same variety can taste different grown in different countries, and the same origin can grow many different varieties.
What’s the difference between Bourbon, Red Bourbon, and Yellow Bourbon?
Red Bourbon is the original, most common form (cherries ripen red) and is usually just labeled “Bourbon.” Yellow Bourbon is a natural mutation where cherries ripen yellow instead of red, and Pink Bourbon is a separate mutation found mainly in Colombia. All three share the same base genetics and similar cup character.