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Catuai Coffee Beans: Brews, Production Regions & Facts

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Catuai

$ 15-40

  • Flavor Profile: High acidity and bitterness with savory undertones and aftertastes
  • Grown in: Central & South America
Flavor High acidity and bitterness with savory undertones and aftertastes
Grown In Central & South America

Knowing where your coffee originates from and how it is cultivated may open up a whole new realm of aroma and coffee enjoyment. Red Catuai Coffee was developed in Brazil in 1949 as a hybrid between the extremely prolific Mundo Novo and compact Caturra varieties. Red Catuai was approved for cultivation in Brazil in 1972 after decades of growth and research and is still extensively farmed in the nation. Across the 1970s and 1980s, Red Catuai was cultivated and tested in Honduras, Guatemala, as well as Costa Rica, where it is still a commercially significant cultivar today.

One of the most significant facts about Catuai coffee beans is that it is a very small part of the global coffee production. Mostly grown in South and Central American countries such as Brazil. Catuai beans are a variety of Arabica and are something like a breed between Caturra and Bourbon beans.

In this Catuai coffee review, we will further talk about where they grow Catuai coffee beans, what Catuai coffee tastes like, and what are recommended coffee brews for your beans.

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The History of Catuai Coffee Beans

The Catuai coffee type has been in cultivation for more than 4 decades, so while it is no longer a new thing on the marketplace, it is appreciated for its high yields, consistent quality, and profitability for growers. There have recently been indications that a Catuai revival is underway. A lot of Catuai types received high marks in 2019 and were named to lists of the world’s greatest coffees. To understand why this may be happening, the whole range of characteristics of this variety should be investigated.

First of all, the noticeable thing is that Catuai was first officially recognized in Brazil in 1972. It is the result of a genetic cross among two natural Arabica variants, yellow Caturra & Mundo Novo, which could be red or variegated. Because it is a smaller plant, it may be grown closer together, resulting in a higher plant spacing and better access to its cherries when picking. Organic Catuai coffee was imported to Guatemala in 1970 and currently accounts for 20% of the country’s coffee industry. After this, it was transferred to Honduras in 1983, where it currently accounts for nearly half of all Arabica grown.

Catuai’s first yield generally happens after three years. It is a plant that reacts well to liming and fertilization, which implies that management throughout production may assist in deciding whether or not a plant is fruitful. Furthermore, because certain crops may be ready for harvest sooner than others, labor and machinery can be dispersed over a longer period of time. This approach is also superior for optimizing post-harvest and storage structures, allowing for more purchase and sell transactions to be completed in a short period of time.

Catuai was reintroduced to the Kauai Coffee Farm in 1987, using seedlings from Brazil. Nowadays, Red and Yellow Catuai account for slightly more than 80% of the coffee cultivated on the Kauai Coffee Farm, with Red Catuai accounting for 5% as well as Yellow Catuai accounting for approximately 76%.

Where Do They Grow Catuai Coffee Beans?

Red Catuai Coffee beans were developed in Brazil in 1949 and are a hybrid of the prolific varieties of the Mundo Novo and Caturra. Red Catuai was freed up for growth in Brazil and is still mostly produced in the nation after years of growth and investigation.

As we have already mentioned, the cultivar was launched in Brazil in 1972 following pedigree selection (selection of individual plants across multiple generations) and is widely grown there. Catuai is offered in a variety of lines in Brazil, some of which are renowned for their great output. Catua lines introduced to Central America appear to be less productive. Research in Honduras and Costa Rica discovered no substantial differences in output between Caturra and Catua. It originally appeared in Honduras in 1979, when it was examined by the Instituto Honduro del Café.

It is also commercially significant in Costa Rica, in which a yellow-fruiting Catuai was imported in 1985 and whose offspring have spread throughout the nation. Catuai was brought into Guatemala in 1970, and it now accounts for around 20% of the region’s output. It has a minor presence throughout the rest of Central America.

Catuai coffee is usually grown in tropical regions mostly located in Central and Southern America. The largest producers of Catuai coffee today are Brazil, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. You can check out individual information on countries that produce Catuai coffee from the list below:

Guatemala Costa Rica Brazil Honduras
Bolivia Ecuador Nicaragua Panama

What Does Catuai Coffee Taste Like?

Another important thing that should be mentioned while talking about the best Catuai coffee is its own distinctive taste. The majority of coffee lovers describe it as pretty acidic, bitter, and additionally, it leaves a very woody, even savory taste.

Catuai may have a wide range of characteristics and sensorial properties, according to how or where it was grown and processed. It is described as having chocolate, caramel, caramelized sugar, honey, almonds, mixed spices, nutmeg as well as sweetgrass. It is advised to roast lightly to medium-lightly to bring forth its finest features. There are no discernible flavor distinctions between the various color variants of these beans.

Catuai vs Arabica Coffee – What Are The Differences?

Caturra, a single-gene variant of Bourbon that was originally recorded in 1937 at the boundary of Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, is a Brazilian contribution to Arabica’s American catalog. Its main mutant feature is its small height, which enables for more dense planting and simpler plucking. It is the ancestor of both Catua and the Catimor family. Caturra is not alone in its small height mutation – it has genetic affinities with a variety of other dwarf arabica types.

Catuai is a high-yielding Arabica hybrid that is a cross of the Mundo Novo and Caturra coffee types. The Instituto Agronomico do Campinas in Brazil created it in the 1950s as a robust, pest-resistant plant producing outstanding cherries. Although it is influenced by Coffea robusta, a lower-quality coffee species. Catuai has a very high yield for an arabica variety, owing to the robusta in its ancestry and additionally, it has a bitter flavor. When cultivated and processed properly, it yields an excellent cup of coffee that stands up well to deeper roasts. Catuai coffee beans are grown in Indonesia, South and Central America, and other parts of the world.

Arabica Catuai
Caffeine 12 milligrams per gram 25 milligrams per gram
Acidity High High
Taste Chocolate, Caramel, Fruits Savory, Ashy
Price Average $2 per ounce Average $1.46 per ounce
Varieties 30+ 0
Production Percentage 60% 1%

Recommended Coffees to Brew With Catuai Beans

Catuai coffee beans, as we have said numerous times in our Catuai coffee review, have unique traits and characteristics that are not found in other types. As a result, not every brew is perfect for making decent coffee. Before you decide to make your favorite coffee, you should be familiar with several techniques. Latte and Frappuccino are the two major ways we will go through. Both have benefits over other brews, which we shall discuss in depth.

Latte – Reduces The Acidity of Catuai Beans

Catuai beans are pretty bitter, so adding milk to them will help with reducing it a little bit. Why not Cafe con Leche? Because usually, a Latte has a higher concentration of milk.

A latte is a traditional coffee made with two main ingredients: espresso as well as steamed milk.

A latte is typically made with 1/3 espresso, 2/3 heated milk, and a small, thin coating of microfoam on top. With this ratio, baristas may simply alter the amount of the latte when you request it, despite the fact that the usual size of the latte fluctuates between 10 and 12 ounces.

Lattes have the advantage of being easily customizable. They are readily modified with seasonings such as mocha, caramel, vanilla, or even other flavorings, and also different milk kinds.

The latte is an excellent espresso drink for individuals who do not require a really strong espresso. Though there is espresso, which is quite powerful and high in caffeine content, the percentage of milk dilutes the harshness of the caffeine in the coffee significantly. This is the main reason why brewing Catuai coffee beans in this manner is one of the best options. Besides, it should also be noted that using a Moka Pot could be good to have for this.

Learn How to Make an Amazing Latte

Frappuccino – Sweet But Still Tastes Like Coffee

One thing I do not like about frappuccinos is when they are way too loaded with sweet stuff. It just makes the coffee taste disappear. With the best Catuai coffee beans, no matter how much sweet stuff you add, it will still retain that bitter coffee taste.

If you want to make Frappuccino at home with the Catuai coffee beans you should follow the next few steps.

On top of that, you are recommended to use a precision brewer which is nice to have for this.

Frappuccino Masterclass Here!

Top 4 Catuai Coffee Brands on Amazon

So, now that we have covered nearly everything there is to know about Catuai coffee beans, it is definitely time to look at some Catuai producing coffee companies. Fortunately, you may now obtain your preferred items even from distant parts of the world. I have been getting my coffee from Amazon for ages, and I can tell that I have almost never been dissatisfied. So, if you want to get Catuai coffee beans, keep reading our guide.

How We Rated Them

We pay attention to the following:

For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.

Individual Overviews of Our Top Choices

To make your selection process easier, we will now do individual overviews of our top selections, highlighting all of their unique characteristics. That way, you can ensure that they are beneficial and best suit your needs and desires. So, check our Catuai coffee reviews to discover your new favorite type of coffee.

Guatemala Altitude Coffee – Catuai

Price: $17.49 (subject to change)

Size: 12 oz

Type: Catuai

Roast: Light

Producer: Altitude Coffee

Beans: Whole

The first on our list is Guatemala Altitude coffee which is the finest savored black and prepared with a drip or pour-over. Additionally, with this product, it is possible to create a delicate Latte or Cappuccino. In case you are not a fan of strong roasted coffee, this might be the best alternative for you among others.

Guatemala Altitude Coffee – Catuai comes at an affordable price which is an important factor while selecting a Catuai coffee online. I was afraid of purchasing this type of Catuai coffee beans as it does not have feedback and reviews from customers on Amazon. However, sometimes risking your money is worth an investment, especially if it is not very expensive. This was the case for me in terms of Guatemala Altitude Coffee. I truly enjoyed the lightly roasted coffee beans and it definitely had some unique flavors that made it so special.

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Brazil De Minas Unroasted

Price: $30.90 (subject to change)

Size: 5 pounds

Type: Catuai

Roast: Unroasted

Producer: Smokin Beans

Beans: Whole

Brazil De Minas coffee is cultivated on magnificent rolling green hills in the Chapada de Minas area of Brazil. The best thing about this product is that the natural procedure imparts a milder acidity as well as a fruity flavor. This coffee is a favorite among espresso connoisseurs and is frequently used as a foundation in espresso mixes. It is excellent and neither harsh nor strong on its own, and other coffee origins that are added to form a blend truly shine when combined with this superb natural process Brazilian bean.

Plant Elevation is 2,400 feet above sea level on average. Drinking notes with nutty undertones lead to a full-bodied richness at the end.

I need the feel to mention that this one here is actually one of my personal favorites! I would describe it as sweet, chocolatey, non-acidic, and delicious. I prefer it medium-dark, just before the second crack, exactly when the scent in the roaster is neutralized.

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Natural Process Catuai

Price: $24.50 (subject to change)

Size: 16 oz

Type: Catuai

Roast: Medium

Producer: Cafe Monteverde

Beans: Whole

Cafe Monteverde Natural Process has rich fruit and floral aromas, as well as a hint of sweet cedar and sour berries. You will enjoy the rich and nuanced tastes of the coffee cherry thanks to the dried-in-the-fruit method. This product comes straight from small coffee farms in Monteverde, located between 1,300 and 1,450 feet above sea level.

The coffee’s flavor profile is quite mild, and it also goes great with oat milk. I use it to create a cold brew, which is pretty delicious. On top of that, the important thing about this Natural Process Catuai coffee beans is that it comes with an affordable price. For a 16-ounce package, you will have to pay $24.5 – So if you are a coffee lover, especially a medium-roast type of whole beans, you should definitely try and order Catuai coffee beans online on Amazon.

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Dark Brazil Cerrado Catuai Blend

Price: $19.95 (subject to change)

Size: 32 oz

Type: Catuai

Roast: Dark

Producer: COFFEE LLC

Beans: Whole

Dark Brazil Cerrado coffee is a robust and full-bodied single origin with a classic coffee taste. This dark-roasted Brazilian coffee is pleasant to sip, with no burned or lingering aftertaste, and it has the nutty flavor characteristic inherent in all elevated Brazilian coffee beans. This coffee is produced in the Cerrado area of the state of Minas Gerais. By the way, Brazil is an excellent site for immaculate coffee harvests because of its high temperatures, rich mineralized soil, and frequent wet seasons.

This coffee has actually exceeded my expectations. One of my favorite things about this product is its packaging – It is not only good-looking but has all the necessary information indicated on it including roast type and date, flavor notes, etc. Additionally, it keeps your beans fresh for a long period of time. If you want to get a taste of Catuai coffee beans, then this one is definitely worth thinking about.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Catuai Coffee Beans

What is Catuai coffee?

Is Catuai coffee good?

What is yellow Catuai coffee?