YIELD AND QUALITY OF COFFEE CULTIVARS (Coffea arabica L.) IN VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

Abstract

In Veracruz, México coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations are mainly grown under the shaded production system. The varieties typically used are Typica, Bourbon and Caturra, and their average fruit yield per plant is low compared to other countries. Fruit yield (cherry coffee), agro-industrial yield of cherry-parchment coffee, and sensorial quality of the beverage were evaluated in 20 coffee cultivars growing in Veracruz, México, during five years of production (1998 to 2003). Varieties with higher average fruit yield (cherry coffee) during the evalulation period were: Catuai Amarillo (23.8 kg/plant), Caturra Rojo (22.6 kg/plant), Colombia Brote Café (23.2 kg/plant) and Colombia Brote Verde (22.5 kg/plant). The variety with the highest agro-industrial yield cherry-parchment was Pluma Hidalgo 177 with 237.3 kg. Colombia Brote Verde produced more parchment-green coffee (54.7 kg) compared to Garnica Tres Cruces Porte Alto (59.3 kg). The largest proportion of normal grains corresponded to Caturra Amarillo and Blue Mountain, with 86.2 and 83.2 % respectively. Cv. Pacamara had lower fruit yield but presented the highest proportion of grains for preparing European-style coffee; this cultivar also achieved the best attributes in smell, acidity and body. For the preparation of American-style coffee, varieties Bourbon Salvadoreño and Bourbon Tres Cruces achieved adequate grain size.