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Variety encyclopedia

Tabi

Tabi is a hybrid coffee variety that combines the genetic traits of Typica, Bourbon, and the Timor Hybrid. It was specifically developed to provide coffee producers with a plant that offers natural resistance to coffee leaf rust while maintaining the high cup quality associated with its Bourbon and Typica parents. The variety is characterized by its tall stature and long branches, often producing larger seeds and fruits than its ancestors. Its ability to thrive at high altitudes and in high-density planting configurations makes it a valuable option for specialty coffee farmers seeking to balance disease management with superior flavor profiles.

TagsTabiArabicaBourbonTypicaCastillo
Where did it come from?

The Tabi variety was developed by the National Coffee Research Centre in Colombia, known as Cenicafé, and was officially released in 2002. Its name is derived from the word for good in the dialect of the Guambiano, an indigenous tribe native to Colombia.

What does it tend to taste like?

Sweet and balanced — red fruit, caramel, gentle florals; frequently mistaken for Bourbon in blind cuppings.

Plant characteristics

Tall plants with large cherries and long branches.

Why producers grow it

Bourbon-class cup character with protection from rust — quality without the existential risk.

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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