Typica Coffee Beans: An Important Arabica Variety

Typica coffee is a global icon amongst existing coffee varieties. Typica is important for understanding the varieties we brew on a daily basis because it is a parent to numerous popular ones, like Pacamara. As one of the oldest varieties of Arabica coffee, Typica beans come with a wealth of history as well as being delicious coffee.

This article will teach you everything you need to know about Typica coffee beans.

What Is Typica Coffee?

Typica coffee is a natural mutation, and one of the two main Arabica varieties recognized worldwide, with the second one being the Bourbon variety. Typica is unfortunately highly susceptible to diseases like coffee leaf rust and other pests, so it is not grown commonly now, but it is well-adapted to the cold (1). Typica plants are known for having bronze leaf tips, being tall and conical in shape, and producing a low yield of large, high-quality coffee beans.

Although the general name “Typica” refers to how common this coffee once was around the globe, it was also given niche names to distinguish the regions in which it was grown (2).

Numerous coffee bean varieties have developed from the foundation of Typica beans, either through natural mutations and hybridizations or selective breeding. Two other notable varieties include the Catuai coffee variety and the Pacamara coffee variety (3).

For more on Typica, check out this YouTube video explaining this single origin varietal coffee.

Typica Subvarities

• Amarello de Botancatú
• Bergendal
• Blawan Paumah
• Rume Sudan
• Java Mocha 
• Sumatra

Typica Mutations

• Arabigo
• Blue Mountain
• Chickamalgu
• Criollo (Creole)
• Ethiopian Harrar
• Ethiopian Sidamo
• Ethiopian Yiragacheffe
• Garodang
• Kent
• Maragogipe
• Mokka
• Pache Común
• Pluma Hidalgo
• San Ramón
• Sáo Bernando
• Sidikalang kopi
• Villa Lobos
• Villa Sarchi

Typica Intrahybrids

• Acaiá (With Bourbon)
• Mundo Novo (with Bourbon)
• Racina

Where Do Typica Coffee Beans Come From?

Typica coffee beans come from Ethiopia, like other Arabica coffee cultivars, specifically in the southwestern area. The intensity of Typica’s flavors is stronger the higher the elevation it’s grown. The growing altitude also influences how clean and acidic the resulting cups of coffee are.

Typica Coffee Taste

Typica beans are often lightly roasted, resulting in a tasting profile that features a zesty lemon acidity, a lingering contrasting sweetness, and a characteristic floral note. It is also known for its hint of lime and inherently sweet cacao, caramel, and cinnamon notes, which tend to come out in longer roasts. The specific flavors differ depending on the growing region, processing method, and roast level (4).

How Do I Brew Typica Beans?

It is recommended to brew Typica as either an espresso or by using a pour-over method. Enjoy it as a black coffee, or add the desired amount of milk or sweetener of your choice to lighten your brew.

Final Thoughts

Typica is a sweet and sour legend in the coffee world. It is an important Arabica variety that originated in Ethiopia with a rich history as the predecessor to many contemporary coffee bean varieties. Get the most out of its extensive taste profile by brewing it espresso-style or via pour-over. 

Despite the Typica variety’s popularity, the resulting high-quality brews are sadly in short supply due to their low yield and susceptibility to pests and diseases.