New Variety Esperanza Creates a Stronger Specialty Coffee Future

The world of specialty coffee is constantly evolving. From new brewing methods to innovative roasting techniques, the industry is always searching for ways to push boundaries and enhance the coffee experience. And with the changes in climates around the world impacting harvest seasons and crop yield, one of the most significant developments in recent years has been the creation of new coffee varieties. Among these, the Esperanza variety is emerging as a potential game changer.

The Need for New Varieties in Specialty Coffee

The development of new coffee varieties is crucial for the future of the specialty coffee industry. Several factors contribute to this necessity:

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events pose significant challenges to coffee production. New varieties with increased resilience to these climate stressors are essential for ensuring the sustainability of coffee farming.
• Pests and Diseases: Coffee plants are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, such as coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer. These can devastate crops and livelihoods. Developing resistant varieties is crucial for protecting farmers' incomes and safeguarding coffee supply.
• Consumer Demand: Consumers are increasingly seeking unique and high-quality coffee experiences. New varieties offer the potential for distinct flavour profiles, expanding the range of options available to coffee lovers.
• Economic Stability: Relying on a limited number of coffee varieties can be risky. Diversifying the genetic pool can help mitigate the impact of crop failures or price fluctuations.

By investing in research and development of new coffee varieties, the industry can build a more resilient and sustainable future. Varieties like Esperanza represent a promising step forward in this direction.

So where does Esperanza come from?

Esperanza is a new coffee variety developed by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA). The name, which translates to "hope" in Spanish, reflects the optimism surrounding this promising bean. Esperanza is a first-generation (F1) hybrid coffee variety. This means it was created by crossing two existing coffee plant varieties. The specific varieties used in the breeding process were T5296, a rust-resistant descendant of the Timor Hybrid (which descends from robusta), and an Ethiopian landrace from the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) coffee collection. This Ethiopian landrace was originally collected in Ethiopia by the ORSTOM/IRD collecting mission.

The variety was created by a consortium including French research institute CIRAD, a regional network of national coffee institutes in Central America (PROMECAFE), and a coffee genebank in Costa Rica (CATIE). The variety was initially not selected for commercial release, however, some plants remained on a farm in Costa Rica, where they performed well under conditions of high rainfall and high humidity. Local farmers began to request the variety, and it is now one of the most-demanded F1 hybrids in Costa Rica.

One of the most exciting aspects of Esperanza is its cup quality. Initial evaluations suggest that it produces coffee with a complex flavour profile, characterised by bright acidity, floral notes, and a smooth finish. These attributes make it a potential contender for the specialty coffee market.

The result also gives us a coffee plant with exceptional disease resistance, high yield potential, and the ability to thrive in challenging growing conditions.

A Brighter Future for Coffee

The emergence of Esperanza is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the coffee industry to adapt to changing conditions and meet evolving consumer demands. By developing new varieties like Esperanza, the industry can not only ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee production but also continue to delight coffee lovers with exceptional flavours.

As research and development in this area progresses, we can anticipate even more exciting breakthroughs in the world of coffee. The future of specialty coffee looks bright, and varieties like Esperanza are helping to pave the way.

If you’re keen to try this new variety of coffee, check out our single origin Don Alfonso.