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Coffee varieties

The Varieties
Behind the Lot.

Variety influences plant behaviour, disease tolerance, bean size and cup character. These are the profiles international buyers ask about most often.

Profiles

Variety by Variety,
in Full Detail.

No variety is presented as better than another. The differences below let you decide what suits your roast profile and market.

SL28

Species: Arabica
Origin: Kenya (central highlands)
Altitude: 1,400–2,000 m
Temperature: 15–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,000–1,600 mm annually
Soil: Deep, well-drained volcanic red soils
Plant: Tall stature, open branching, broad bronze-tipped leaves
Disease: Susceptible to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease; drought tolerant
Cherry: Large cherries ripening to deep red
Bean: Large, dense beans; frequently screens into AA and AB
Processing: Predominantly fully washed
Acidity: High, structured
Body: Medium to full
Aroma: Floral and blackcurrant character commonly reported
Flavour: Blackcurrant, citrus, dark berry, sweet finish
Commercial use: Specialty roasting, single origin, filter and espresso
Grades: E, AA, AB, PB and lower screens depending on lot

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SL34

Species: Arabica
Origin: Kenya (central highlands)
Altitude: 1,500–2,000 m
Temperature: 15–24 °C
Rainfall: Tolerates higher and more variable rainfall than SL28
Soil: Deep volcanic soils; performs on heavier rainfall sites
Plant: Tall, vigorous, bronze-tipped leaves
Disease: Susceptible to leaf rust and coffee berry disease
Cherry: Large cherries, even ripening
Bean: Large, dense beans; strong AA and AB yield
Processing: Predominantly fully washed
Acidity: High, often rounder than SL28
Body: Full
Aroma: Sweet, fruited
Flavour: Citrus, stone fruit, brown sugar sweetness
Commercial use: Specialty roasting, blending, espresso base
Grades: E, AA, AB, PB and lower screens depending on lot

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Ruiru 11

Species: Arabica
Origin: Kenya (widely planted nationally)
Altitude: 1,300–1,900 m
Temperature: 16–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,000–1,500 mm annually
Soil: Adaptable across Kenyan coffee soils
Plant: Compact, high-density planting suitable
Disease: Bred for resistance to coffee berry disease and leaf rust
Cherry: Medium cherries, heavy bearing
Bean: Medium to large beans
Processing: Fully washed
Acidity: Medium
Body: Medium
Aroma: Clean, mild
Flavour: Balanced, mild fruit and caramel sweetness
Commercial use: Commercial and premium blending
Grades: AA, AB, PB, C depending on lot

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Batian

Species: Arabica
Origin: Kenya
Altitude: 1,400–1,900 m
Temperature: 16–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,000–1,500 mm annually
Soil: Adaptable, prefers well-drained volcanic soils
Plant: Tall, early bearing
Disease: Bred for resistance to coffee berry disease and leaf rust
Cherry: Large cherries
Bean: Large beans, good screen retention
Processing: Fully washed
Acidity: Medium to high
Body: Medium
Aroma: Sweet, clean
Flavour: Citrus and caramel notes commonly reported
Commercial use: Specialty and premium commercial
Grades: AA, AB, PB depending on lot

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Bourbon

Species: Arabica
Origin: East African origins including Ethiopia and Uganda
Altitude: 1,300–2,000 m
Temperature: 16–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,200–1,800 mm annually
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soils
Plant: Traditional tall variety, moderate yield
Disease: Susceptible to leaf rust
Cherry: Red, yellow or orange cherry types exist
Bean: Medium, rounded beans
Processing: Washed and natural
Acidity: Medium
Body: Medium to full
Aroma: Sweet, caramel
Flavour: Chocolate, sweet fruit, soft acidity
Commercial use: Specialty roasting and blending
Grades: Origin-dependent

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Uganda Robusta

Species: Robusta
Origin: Uganda (lower-altitude regions)
Altitude: 900–1,500 m
Temperature: 22–30 °C
Rainfall: 1,200–2,000 mm annually
Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soils
Plant: Robust, high yielding, multi-stem
Disease: More tolerant of pests and disease than Arabica
Cherry: Smaller cherries, clustered
Bean: Rounded beans; graded by screen size
Processing: Predominantly natural, washed available
Acidity: Low
Body: Full, heavy
Aroma: Earthy, woody, nutty
Flavour: Strong, bitter-sweet, grain and dark cocoa
Commercial use: Espresso blends, commercial roasting, instant coffee
Grades: Screen 18, Screen 15, Screen 12 and below

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Uganda Arabica (Bugisu area)

Species: Arabica
Origin: Uganda (Mount Elgon and other highland areas)
Altitude: 1,500–2,300 m
Temperature: 15–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,200–1,800 mm annually
Soil: Volcanic highland soils
Plant: Traditional and improved Arabica types
Disease: Susceptible to leaf rust at lower altitude
Cherry: Medium to large cherries
Bean: Medium to large, dense at higher altitude
Processing: Washed and natural
Acidity: Medium to high
Body: Medium to full
Aroma: Sweet, fruited
Flavour: Citrus, chocolate, dried fruit
Commercial use: Specialty and premium commercial roasting
Grades: Recognised Ugandan Arabica grades, lot dependent

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Ethiopia Yirgacheffe

Species: Arabica (indigenous landraces)
Origin: Ethiopia, Gedeo zone
Altitude: 1,700–2,200 m
Temperature: 15–23 °C
Rainfall: 1,200–1,800 mm annually
Soil: Fertile reddish-brown highland soils
Plant: Mixed indigenous landrace populations, often garden-grown under shade
Disease: Variable across landrace populations
Cherry: Small to medium cherries
Bean: Small to medium, often greyish-green when washed
Processing: Washed and natural
Acidity: High, delicate
Body: Light to medium
Aroma: Floral, jasmine, citrus
Flavour: Floral, lemon and bergamot in washed lots; berry sweetness in naturals
Commercial use: Specialty filter roasting, single origin
Grades: Ethiopian export grading applies; specification confirmed per lot

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Ethiopia Sidama

Species: Arabica (indigenous landraces)
Origin: Ethiopia, Sidama region
Altitude: 1,500–2,200 m
Temperature: 15–24 °C
Rainfall: 1,200–1,800 mm annually
Soil: Fertile highland soils
Plant: Indigenous landraces, often intercropped
Disease: Variable across landrace populations
Cherry: Small to medium cherries
Bean: Small to medium beans
Processing: Washed and natural
Acidity: Medium to high
Body: Medium
Aroma: Sweet, floral, fruited
Flavour: Berry, citrus, cocoa depending on processing
Commercial use: Specialty roasting and premium blends
Grades: Ethiopian export grading applies; specification confirmed per lot

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Available origins, varieties and grades depend on sourcing season and buyer requirements.

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Ripe coffee cherries on the branch