BTN News: Arabica coffee is loved for its smooth and sweet flavor. It makes up about 60% to 70% of all coffee consumed around the world. Big brands like Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, and Dunkin’ choose Arabica for their coffee. But there’s more to Arabica than just its taste. It has an interesting history and complex genetic makeup. Researchers are studying it to protect this beloved coffee from climate change and diseases.
A recent study has helped us understand where Arabica coffee comes from. Scientists looked at the genetic material of many coffee plants from around the world. They found that Arabica coffee started about 600,000 years ago. This happened naturally, without human help. Arabica coffee came from the separation of two other coffee species: Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides.
Wild Arabica plants first grew in Ethiopia. But it was in Yemen, during the 15th century, that people first roasted and brewed coffee. This is how the drink we know today was created. In the 17th century, an Indian monk named Baba Budan brought seven raw coffee beans from Yemen to India. This small act helped spread coffee around the world.
People love Arabica coffee for its mild and unique taste. It is different from Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora), which is stronger and more bitter. Arabica’s pleasant flavor makes it a favorite for coffee lovers and big coffee chains.
To learn more about the history of Arabica coffee, researchers studied the genomes of Coffea canephora, Coffea eugenioides, and over 30 different Arabica plants. They even looked at a plant from the 18th century, which is kept at the Natural History Museum in London. This plant was originally studied by the famous botanist Carl Linnaeus.
The results of this study were published in the journal Nature Genetics. They give us important information about how Arabica coffee has changed over time. The research showed that Arabica plants did well during warm and wet periods. However, they had a hard time during droughts. These tough times led to what is called demographic bottlenecks. This means only a small number of similar plants survived.
Because of this genetic bottleneck, Arabica plants are more likely to get diseases like coffee rust. Coffee rust causes a lot of damage each year. By studying the genetic code of Arabica plants that can resist rust, scientists found genetic markers that could help protect coffee plants in the future.
The study, which had help from researchers at Nestlé, shows how important it is to understand the genetic makeup of Arabica coffee. Fabian EcheverrÃa, a consultant at the Coffee Research and Education Center at Texas A&M University, said the study shows how Arabica coffee evolved and points out genetic traits that could be important for protecting the coffee crop.
In summary, the rich history and complex genetics of Arabica coffee not only provide a fascinating story but also hope for the future. As scientists continue to study Arabica coffee, their findings will help keep these plants healthy. This means coffee lovers can continue to enjoy their favorite drink for many years to come.
