Catucai Coffee: The Resilient Hybrid Behind a World Championship Win
Catucai is the quiet achiever of Hacienda La Florida. Less celebrated than Sidra’s floral intensity or Typica Mejorado’s competition record, it has a story that surpasses them both — it was the variety chosen by a world champion to win the highest honor in competitive coffee.
The Hybrid Genetics
Catucai is a cross between Icatú and Catuai. The Icatú parent brings Timor hybrid genetics — a natural cross between Arabica and Robusta — that gives Catucai exceptional resilience and disease resistance. The Catuai parent contributes high yield potential and excellent cup quality.
This genetic combination produces a coffee that thrives at high altitude while resisting leaf rust and other common diseases. In the challenging conditions of the Dry Forest, where the dry season stresses every plant, Catucai’s hybrid vigor is a distinct advantage.
Tasting Profile
| Attribute | Profile |
|---|---|
| Fruit | Berries, dark cherry, plum |
| Sweetness | Deep, caramelized, brown sugar |
| Nuttiness | Almond, hazelnut |
| Body | Full, creamy, syrupy |
| Acidity | Medium, rounded, balanced |
| Finish | Long, sweet, chocolate undertones |
The World Brewers Cup Story
In 2021, Matt Winton of Switzerland was preparing for the World Brewers Cup in Milan — the most prestigious brewing competition in specialty coffee. He needed a coffee that could make a statement, that could tell a story worth a world title.
Matt traveled to Hacienda La Florida to work directly with Fabricio Coronel. Together, they cupped through lots, explored processing experiments, and developed a coffee that would become legendary.
The winning formula was unexpected: a blend of Catucai + Eugenioides. The Catucai contributed body, sweetness, and fruit depth while Eugenioides — one of the rarest species in the Coffea genus — added an unprecedented creamy sweetness and low acidity. The total Arabica genetics in the blend was approximately 30% — a radical departure from conventional competition coffees.
In Milan, that blend won. First place. World Brewers Cup Champion.
The Catucai from Hacienda La Florida had helped make history.
Beyond the Championship
Catucai’s success extends beyond the world stage. Our lot also earned 1st Place at Taza Dorada 2020 — the most prestigious coffee competition in Ecuador. This consistency across competitions and years demonstrates that Catucai is not a one-variety-wonder.
A Resilient Hybrid
Catucai may lack the Ethiopian pedigree of Sidra or the genetic romance of Typica Mejorado. But it is the variety that proves hybrid genetics are not a compromise — they can be an advantage. Its resilience, its cup quality, and its world championship story make it one of the most compelling varieties in Ecuadorian coffee.
The world champion’s choice — available for sampling through Cafesure.