A compact, high-yielding cross of Mundo Novo and Caturra that tends toward good but not great cups. Very susceptible to leaf rust.
Catuai is a compact Bourbon-Typica cross of Mundo Novo and yellow Caturra, bred at IAC in Brazil. Its small stature allows dense planting and easy spraying, making it productive, though its cup quality is regarded as good rather than exceptional. It is highly susceptible to leaf rust. Yellow-fruited and red-fruited types exist.
Field notes
- i
The cross was made in 1949 at the Instituto Agronomico (IAC) in Campinas, Brazil.
- ii
The name comes from a Guarani expression meaning very good.
- iii
It is less compact than Caturra, and is widely planted in Brazil, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Family tree
Catuai is a cross of Mundo Novo and Caturra.
Grown in
- Brazilorigin
Sources · 1 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-11.
- WCR Arabica Varieties Catalog: Catuai · World Coffee Research