Most Indian arabica comes from rust-resistant selections bred by the Central Coffee Research Institute at Balehonnur, Chikmagalur.
India's most planted arabica. A Kent × S288 cross released by the Central Coffee Research Institute (Balehonnur) in the 1940s. Rust-tolerant, with the Liberica-derived genes of S288.
Typical cup: Chocolate, mild fruit, gentle acidity.
Selected from Typica on Doddengudda estate in the 1920s and named after its planter. India's first rust-tolerant arabica; now rarer and prized for heritage lots.
Typical cup: Sweet, clean, classic.
A Tafarikela (Ethiopian) × Hybrido de Timor selection. Often shows brighter, more fruit-forward cups than S795.
Typical cup: Fruity, floral, lively.
A compact, high-yielding Villa Sarchi × Hybrido de Timor selection released in 2007. Increasingly common on Chikmagalur estates.
Typical cup: Bold beans, sweet and balanced.
India's Catimor (Caturra × Hybrido de Timor). Dwarf, productive and rust-resistant; a workhorse variety.
Typical cup: Mild; shines with good processing.
Mundo Novo × Caturra from Brazil. Planted on a few Indian estates; popular with experimental processors.
Typical cup: Sweet, round, caramel.
Ethiopian landrace made famous by Panama. A handful of Indian estates now grow it in tiny volumes.
Typical cup: Jasmine, bergamot, tea-like, very floral.
India grows around 70% robusta. S274 and CxR (congensis × robusta) are the main selections. Fine robusta, carefully picked and processed, is a specialty category of its own.
Typical cup: Cocoa, nutty, heavy body, low acidity, twice the caffeine.
Rare species with big, asymmetric beans. Grown in tiny volumes in Karnataka (e.g. Mooleh Manay estate).
Typical cup: Jackfruit, smoky, woody, unusual.