The Catuaí

The term "Catuaí" is derived from Guarani and means "very good." This variety produces yellow or red fruits. Created in 1949 from a cross between yellow Caturra and Mundo Novo, and released in Brazil in 1972 after genealogical selection, it now produces several lines of Catuai. It was first introduced in Honduras in 1979, where it accounts for nearly half of the Arabica coffee grown. It is also economically important in Costa Rica, where a yellow-fruited Catuai was introduced in 1985, whose descendants have spread widely throughout the country. It was also introduced to Guatemala in 1970, producing approximately 20% of the country's production. Its presence is less pronounced in Nicaragua. It is a compact plant with high yield potential and standard quality in Central America. Its small size allows for dense planting and more efficient harvesting, which partly led to the intensification of full-sun coffee cultivation in Central America in the 1970s and 1980s. However, it is highly susceptible to coffee leaf rust. It is no longer new to the market but is valued for its high yield, reliable quality, and potential profit for the producer.