Marellesa is a variety obtained from the hybridization of Sarchimor and Caturra. After several generational selections to obtain plants with stable agronomic characteristics, in 2009 seeds were produced with the Marseillaise variety name.
It is an early variety, under normal conditions that starts to produce at 18 months.
It is sought after for its superior cup quality and its resistance to leaf rust. Marsellesa matures faster in terms of production and growth than Caturra or Catuaí. It is also very resistant to rain during harvest season, which means that ripe cherries do not “fall” at the first sign of a shower where grape varieties like catuai and caturra will lose their berries under heavy precipitation. This makes it suitable for harsh environments that experience heavy rains and/or strong winds and unpredictable weather conditions. One of the most appreciated qualities of the variety is that it has better performance in converting cherry into green coffee than Catimor or Sarchimor. The Marsellesa reaches its best potential when grown at approximately 1300 metres above sea level.