Yunnan Arabica Varieties Explained: Catimor, Bourbon, Typica and Geisha

Catimor

The most widely planted Arabica in Yunnan: robust, high-yielding and consistent. Clean chocolate and nut character, low risk, excellent for espresso blends and house coffee.

Bourbon

Classic heirloom variety with bright citrus and honey sweetness at mid-high altitude. Well loved by European specialty roasters for filter single origins.

Typica

Traditional, lower-yielding old Arabica. Soft, sophisticated, tea-like — favoured by vintage-style roasters and less common in mainstream supply chains.

Geisha (Yunnan)

Limited micro-lot production at high elevation. Yunnan Geisha shows soft floral and stone-fruit character, different from Panama Geisha, and is targeted at high-end specialty cafes. Stock is limited each harvest.

Availability varies with harvest cycles. If you are planning a menu or blend change, request samples across varieties early.