ReferenceThe living taxonomy

Coffee varietals

The cultivated varieties behind every specialty coffee.

Coffee varietals are the cultivated varieties of the coffee plant, and each one shapes what ends up in the cup. This is the full Bunchum reference, from the Bourbon and Typica lineages to the Gesha that made Panama famous, and on to the disease-resistant hybrids reshaping modern farms. Browse every varietal to see where it comes from and how it tastes.

Arabica

Coffea arabica37 varietals

Coffea arabica is the species behind most specialty coffee, prized for sweetness, aromatic complexity, and gentler caffeine. Its varieties span heirloom Typica and Bourbon through prized Geisha.

Interspecific hybrids

Timor Hybrid lineages4 varietals

Interspecific hybrids cross Arabica with Coffea canephora (robusta), usually through the Timor Hybrid, introducing leaf-rust resistance and field hardiness into an Arabica-forward cup.

F1 hybrids

First-generation crosses3 varietals

F1 hybrids are first-generation crosses bred for hybrid vigor, pairing high yield and disease resistance with cup quality. Depending on the program, they are propagated clonally or by seed.

Robusta

Coffea canephora1 varietal

Coffea canephora, commonly called robusta, is a hardy lowland species with higher caffeine and a bolder, lower-acid profile. Fine robusta is a small but growing specialty niche.

Robusta (generic)

Liberica

Coffea liberica2 varietals

Coffea liberica is a third cultivated species with large fruit and a distinctive, often jackfruit-like and smoky character. Its Excelsa group is grown mainly in Southeast Asia.