Catuai: Engineering a Better Coffee Plant

Catuai is a testament to the power of selective breeding in coffee. Developed by the Alcides de Carvalho Coffee Institute (IAC) in Brazil in the late 1940s, Catuai was created to be a "better" coffee plant for farmers, combining the best traits of its two famous parents: Mundo Novo and Caturra.

The goal was simple: to create a variety that had the high productivity and vigor of Mundo Novo, but the small, manageable stature of Caturra. The result was a huge success. Catuai is a dwarf plant that produces very high yields, is easy to harvest, and grows with exceptional vigor.

Available in both red and yellow cherry varieties (Catuai Vermelho and Catuai Amarelo), it has become one of the most widely planted and economically important coffee varieties throughout Latin America.

The Perfect Match: Mundo Novo x Caturra

The development of Catuai is a clear example of targeted innovation. Researchers at the IAC in Brazil started with two well-known varieties:

• Mundo Novo: A tall, vigorous, and high-yielding natural hybrid of Typica and Bourbon. Its main drawback was its height, which made harvesting difficult.
• Caturra: A compact, dwarf mutation of Bourbon. Its small size was ideal, but it was not as vigorous as Mundo Novo and required heavy fertilization to sustain its yields.

By crossing these two, they created Catuai. The name comes from the Guarani language and means "very good." The first selections were made in 1949, and after decades of development and field trials, the variety was released to farmers in the 1970s. Its success was almost immediate.

A Sweet and Straightforward Cup

The cup profile of Catuai is known for being clean, balanced, and straightforward, with a notable sweetness. It is a very reliable and approachable coffee.

• Acidity: The acidity is typically medium in intensity, with a clean and gentle character.
• Body: It generally has a medium body with a smooth mouthfeel.
• Aroma: The aroma is sweet and simple, often with notes of caramel, honey, and a hint of almond.
• Flavor: The defining characteristic is a pleasant, lasting sweetness. Look for notes of caramel, maple syrup, and nuts. It is not known for having complex fruit or floral notes, but it provides a very solid and enjoyable coffee experience.

Because of its reliable and sweet profile, Catuai is often used in blends and is a popular choice for a dependable daily brew.

A Farmer's Dream Plant

For coffee farmers, Catuai offers a powerful combination of advantages that have made it one of the most popular varieties to cultivate.

• Extremely High Yields: Catuai is one of the most productive Arabica varieties, capable of producing a very large amount of coffee cherries.
• Compact Size: Its dwarfism makes it easy to manage and harvest, and allows for very dense planting.
• Vigorous Growth: The cherries do not fall off the branch easily, which makes the plant resistant to damage from wind and rain.
• Adaptability: It grows well in a variety of conditions and is known for being a hardy and resilient plant.

The main disadvantage of Catuai is that, like both of its parents, it is highly susceptible to coffee leaf rust and other common diseases. It also requires good fertilization and management to support its high productivity year after year.

Key Growing Regions

Catuai has spread far beyond its origins in Brazil and is now a workhorse variety throughout Central America.

• Brazil: It remains one of the most important varieties in Brazil, perfectly suited to the country's coffee-growing landscape.
• Honduras: Catuai is the most widely grown coffee variety in Honduras, forming the backbone of the country's coffee industry.
• Costa Rica: It is also very common in Costa Rica, where it is known for producing a clean and sweet cup.
• Guatemala: Catuai is widely planted in many regions of Guatemala.

Brewing for a Sweet, Balanced Cup

To highlight the inherent sweetness and smooth body of Catuai, you can use a variety of brewing methods.

• Recommended Methods: It is a very versatile coffee. It works well as a pour-over for a clean, sweet cup. It is also an excellent choice for immersion brewers like the French Press or Clever Dripper, which will emphasize its body and sweetness.
• Espresso: Its natural sweetness and balanced profile make it a great single-origin espresso or a key component in an espresso blend.

Conclusion: The "Very Good" Coffee

Catuai is a shining example of how science and agriculture can work together to create something truly beneficial for coffee producers. It is a variety that was designed for a purpose, and it has fulfilled that purpose brilliantly.

While it may not always be the most exciting or complex coffee on the cupping table, its importance cannot be overlooked. It has provided a reliable and profitable crop for countless farmers and a wonderfully sweet, clean, and approachable cup for millions of coffee drinkers. The name says it all: Catuai is, for many, a "very good" coffee indeed.