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Variety encyclopedia

Catimor

Catimor is not a single uniform variety but a diverse family of cultivars developed by crossing Caturra with the Timor Hybrid. These plants were primarily bred for their compact growth habit and significant resistance to coffee leaf rust. Because the group encompasses many different selections, the cup quality and performance vary widely depending on the specific line and local environmental conditions. This family of varieties has been essential for maintaining farm productivity in regions where disease pressure is high.

TagsCatimorArabicaCastilloCaturraColombia variety
Where did it come from?

Catimor is a family of rust-resistant varieties bred from Caturra and the Timor Hybrid (an arabica-robusta natural cross). Early Catimors sacrificed cup quality for resistance; decades of later selection closed much of the gap.

What does it tend to taste like?

Wildly variable by selection and terroir — from harsh and astringent in old lines to balanced and sweet in modern ones.

Plant characteristics

Compact, very high-yielding, aggressive plants.

Why producers grow it

Survival economics: where rust is relentless, Catimor keeps farms solvent. Modern selections (like Costa Rica 95 lineage) cup respectably.

Sources & further reading

Editorial record last reviewed: . Sources document specific claims, not guarantees about every coffee sold under this variety name.

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Catimor we've cataloged.

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