Interspecific hybrid · Coffee Variety
Catimor
Catimor is a family of crosses between Caturra and the Timor Hybrid — a natural Arabica–Robusta cross found on Timor island — bred to combine compact high yield with leaf-rust resistance. Lines such as T-8667, T-5175 and localized selections spread worldwide wherever rust threatened smallholder livelihoods.
Catimor matters enormously to Asia: it is the backbone of Arabica planting in Vietnam, widely grown in China, India — and it is the dominant Arabica of the Bolaven Plateau in Laos. At high altitude with careful processing, Bolaven Catimor defies the variety's rough reputation, cupping with red apple, caramel, and structured acidity in the 83–86 SCA range.
Catimor at a glance
| Species | Interspecific hybrid |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Caturra × Timor Hybrid (Portugal, 1959); Robusta-derived rust resistance |
| Plant stature | Compact, vigorous |
| Yield potential | Very high |
| Disease resistance | Good rust resistance (variable by line and rust race) |
| Optimal altitude | 800–1,600 m; cup improves markedly above 1,100 m |
| Bean size | Medium to large |
| Cup profile | Red apple, caramel, mild spice; herbal edge if grown low or picked unevenly |
Where Catimor is grown
Catimor — frequently asked questions
Does Catimor deserve its low-quality reputation?
Only partially. Early lowland plantings with rushed processing produced harsh cups. Grown at 1,100 m+ and processed carefully — as on the Bolaven Plateau in Laos — Catimor cups clean, sweet, and specialty-grade, regularly scoring 84+.
Why is Catimor so common in Asia?
Rust arrived in Asia earlier and harder than in the Americas, and national programs in Vietnam, India, China, and Laos distributed resistant Catimor lines to protect smallholders. Its yield stability suits smallholder economics.
What does Timor Hybrid contribute to Catimor?
A block of Robusta genes carrying leaf-rust resistance (and some CBD tolerance). Breeders have spent decades selecting Catimor lines that keep the resistance while shedding Robusta's cup harshness.
Sourcing Catimor? Volcana Coffee grows and exports high-altitude Catimor, Typica, and washed Fine Robusta from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos — with SGS-inspected quality and full export documentation.
Request a SampleRelated coffee varieties
Typica
Clean, sweet, silky body with delicate citrus and floral notes at altitude.
Bourbon
Caramel sweetness, balanced citric acidity, buttery mouthfeel.
Caturra
Bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than Bourbon.
Pacamara
Butterscotch, chocolate, bright citrus, distinctive herbal-savory undertone.