The Robusta species of the Coffeea genus is believed to be native to central sub-Saharan Africa, west of Ethiopia, which is considered the birthplace of the more historically celebrated Arabica species. The first record of Robusta species coffee being cultivated was in 1870 in the current-day Democratic Republic of Congo, though it was likely being grown and consumed locally well before then by native populations. While Arabica has long been prized over Robsuta for its flavor quality, Robusta has seen a steady increase in global coffee production since the 1990's, and the trend has continued in earnest in recent years. Today, about 40% of global coffee production is Robusta, and that number is expected to continue to climb as demand for coffee (and often 'cheaper' coffee) increases globally amidst a climate crisis that is spelling disaster for Arabica coffee production worldwide. In recent years, Robusta has been the subject of intensive research and development projects on the part of organizations like World Coffee Research (WCR), who hope to tap the vast genetic diversity of the Robusta species to inform the creation of new varieties of coffee that are more climate resilient, high yielding, and capable of meeting consumer quality demands.
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The robusta selection of this particular Education Lot is a cultivar known as CxR, which is one of a number of interspecific hybrids created at the Central Coffee Research Institute of India (CCRI) that includes genetics from two distinct species: Congensis (a species believed to be native to the Congo) and Robusta. The result is a compact plant capable of high-density planting and yield potential, as well as improved cup quality and the ability to yield fruit in as little as 1-3 years.
Because the climate in India is so naturally hospitable to coffee plant diseases, the country has "quietly been near the forefront of coffee research for years, with a decades-long tradition of breeding and supporting farmers to fight diseases and pests" (WCR). Additionally, India "possesses more coffee genetic diversity than most countries, due to coffee’s early introduction from Yemen in the 17th century" (WCR). These factors, coupled with the unique agroforestry-style production model of many farms in India, have put this largely overlooked producing country back in the spotlight in recent years as we continue to pursue more climate-resilient alternatives for coffee production worldwide.
