In this tour of existing coffee varieties, we've discovered some more exotic than others, some with more acidic notes and others sweeter and fruitier. Now it's time to discover a colorful and multi-flavored variety. This time, we'll talk about a variety from faraway Madagascar, grown on an island now called Reunion, but which had a name we remember today thanks to this coffee variety: Bourbon.
This is a natural mutation of one of the world's oldest coffee varieties, Typica. Bourbon is classified by the World Coffee Research Organization as one of the most culturally and genetically important varieties in the world.
It is found at different altitudes, but its best version is found between 1070 and 1980 meters above sea level. Its fruit is small and ripens quickly, which can affect the development of more flavors and aromas.
But why is it said to be multi-colored?
Simply put, this variety can be found in three shades: red, yellow, and pink. Rwanda and Burundi are the main cultivars of the first two shades, although we can also find it in various producing countries in Central America, Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. However, it is also cultivated in the latter and is known as the birthplace of pink Bourbon.
Multi-flavor?
Of course, although the varieties don't vary much and the ripening process must be so controlled, this variety offers us different flavors, among which we can identify sweet, paneled, citrus, soft, and delicate tones.
And how do we bring it to our cup?
We already know that each method and roasting process we use will add different sensations when bringing the coffee to our mouths. This variety requires greater care during the roasting process. Due to its glucose concentration, high temperatures can awaken sweeter characteristics and a better body. That's why the recommendation with Bourbon is to keep temperatures under strict control and perform roasting batches of small batches, in order to maintain its uniformity in flavor.
When pouring, two methods are recommended for this variety: the Chemex and the French press. The former will create a clean cup, preserving the Bourbon's sweetness and complexity, while the French press highlights its silky, creamy body.
This is a variety that can create an incredible cup flavor that will please all palates, but it requires great care in its processes to achieve these special flavors.
What should growers keep in mind when growing this variety?
Bourbon is considered a delicate variety, quite prone to disease, which is why it requires so much dedication and care to keep the trees healthy and productive. This variety is typically grown in shade, as this helps prevent disease and improves the quality of the berries. This also allows its cherries to ripen slowly and properly, so they can be harvested at the precise moment of ripeness. Its cherries are generally low-yielding, but are considered to be of very good quality.
Shade helps us maintain lower and more stable temperatures, significantly reducing the need for fertilizers to correct soil nitrogen levels and influencing the process. Likewise, we must not neglect the care and nutrition of our soils to ensure strong, productive trees with an excellent end product.
After harvesting the grain, the highest quality and largest cherries must be carefully selected to maintain the best product performance. The fermentation process to be used with the different grains must then be properly defined to maintain their sweet characteristics and high tasting points.
Bourbon in Colombia
In our country, this variety has gained considerable popularity. Specialty coffee producers have embraced it with considerable interest in recent years, so much so that a mutation of our own production has emerged in our country. So, we invite you to discover the sweetness of this variety in your cups, to discover its different flavors, and experience high-quality coffee.
Because the world of coffee is something we're passionate about and something we all want to learn more about. It's a world full of new learning, but above all, a myriad of flavors wrapped in a mysterious black color.