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Coffee Botany and Varietals MOC

Coffee botany and varietals is the study of coffee plant biology, taxonomy, genetic diversity, and the practical implications of variety choice for cultivation and cup quality. Understanding this domain is foundational to appreciating how terroir, breeding, and processing interact to produce distinct flavour outcomes. This MOC is the central navigation hub for all notes on coffee plant science, variety families, and genetics.

Deep Dives

Article What it covers
Coffee Botany Overview Plant anatomy, taxonomy, species biology, and agronomic fundamentals
Coffee Species Coffea arabica, C. canephora, and other commercially significant species
Coffee Varietals and Cultivars Overview of how varieties are classified, named, and evaluated
Botany & Varietals Integrated guide to plant science and variety characteristics
Regional Varieties Index Geographic organisation of varieties by country and region
Variety Selection Guide Practical decision-making for farmers selecting varieties
Ethiopia Coffee Varieties and Processing Ethiopian landrace varieties and their processing traditions

Sub-MOCs

Foundational Varieties

Heirloom lineages: Arabica | Typica | ../Coffee Varieties/Bourbon Variety | Varietal

Derived varieties: Caturra | Catuai | Cultivar

Essential Resources

Books: The World Atlas of Coffee (James Hoffmann) · Coffee Varieties (World Coffee Research) · Coffea: A Guide to Growing the Coffee Plant (WCR)

Online: World Coffee Research Variety Catalog · SCA Seed to Cup Resources · CATIE Coffee Genetic Resources


Part of Coffeepedia — The Coffee Knowledge Vault