Bourbon coffee is a cultivated variety of Arabica coffee. In coffee terms, a cultivar is a variety specifically bred for particular traits. We'll explore the specific characteristics of the Bourbon variety, but first we need to understand the origin of the name "Bourbon."

We are talking about the Bourbon coffee variety, a cultivar of the Arabica species.

Coffee is mainly divided into four species: Robusta, Liberica, Excelsa, and Arabica.

Most of the world's specialty coffee is classified as Arabica. This coffee is harder to grow than Robusta and more widely distributed than Liberica, which is found mainly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

Bourbon coffee is a cultivated variety of Arabica. In coffee terms, a cultivar is a variety specifically bred for particular traits. We'll explore the specific characteristics of the Bourbon variety, but first we need to understand the origin of the name "Bourbon."

#Why Is It Called Bourbon Coffee?

This coffee was originally brought from Yemen by French missionaries to the island now known as Réunion. The island was formerly called Île Bourbon, located east of Madagascar and administratively a French territory.

However, although the French played a significant role in promoting coffee cultivation on Bourbon Island, coffee trees already existed on the island before French control. Portuguese colonists landing in the 16th century were aware of the crop; about a century later the French occupied the island and named it after the Bourbon dynasty then ruling France.

Although it shares a name with American whiskey (usually pronounced [BOOR] + [buhn]), the coffee variety's pronunciation is closer to the French [bur] + [BOHN].

#Where Is Bourbon Coffee Produced?

Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru, and other Central and northern South American countries are today's primary growing regions for Bourbon coffee. This coffee originated on the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to the central Indian Ocean. You may wonder how it eventually ended up in the Western Hemisphere.

In the 18th century, Brazil was already one of the world's top coffee-growing and exporting nations, but at the time it relied mainly on Typica-variety Arabica beans. To address this, Brazil sent envoys to Réunion to introduce the higher-yielding Bourbon variety seeds and brought them back for widespread cultivation.

Arabica coffee trees are already more demanding of their environment than Robusta. Robusta can produce high yields even in suboptimal conditions, while Bourbon beans, as members of the Arabica family, yield not only less than Robusta but even less than other Arabica beans.

#What Are the Different Types of Bourbon Coffee?

Bourbon coffee beans are mainly divided into two types: Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon. A genetic mutation occurred in the Bourbon variety in the years after its introduction to Brazil. The existing Typica variety produced yellow coffee cherries due to a genetic mutation. In 1930, a Bourbon variant bearing yellow fruit was discovered among Red Bourbon plants in São Paulo, Brazil. It is speculated that this resulted from a cross between Yellow Botucatu (a mutated Typica variety) and Red Bourbon plants. The Yellow Bourbon variety exhibits more pronounced citrus notes.

#What Does Bourbon Coffee Taste Like?

Bourbon coffee is known for its buttery flavor, nutty aroma, and smooth mouthfeel. It has lower acidity and medium body. But perhaps the most appealing aspect of Bourbon coffee is that it is sweeter than other varieties—for example, compared to some Ethiopian beans with earthy notes. Bourbon coffee also carries chocolate-like flavors. With a light roast, you can taste fruity notes like fig and cherry. Overall, this bean brews a bright, lively coffee that delights both the palate and the nose, with a mouthfeel that never disappoints. It goes down smoothly and won't upset the stomach.

#What Is the Best Way to Brew Bourbon Coffee?

Because of its delicate flavor, Bourbon coffee is better suited to brewing methods that highlight flavor layers. This means choosing a medium-light roast rather than a dark roast or espresso. Whether using a pour-over drip method or a French press, both can fully unlock the flavor depth of this coffee bean.