Researchers have discovered that arabica coffee plants are approximately 600,000 years old and emerged through natural crossbreeding of two other coffee species. This information was gathered by building a family tree of coffee plants around the world to better understand the species and protect them from pests and climate change. The wild coffee plants originated in Ethiopia and were first roasted and brewed in Yemen in the 1400s, with their global popularity growing in the 1600s when seven raw coffee beans were smuggled to India.
Arabica coffee now constitutes 60% – 70% of the global coffee market and is known for its smooth and sweet flavor. Robusta coffee, which is stronger and more bitter, makes up the rest of the market and is made from one of arabica’s parent species. The study to uncover arabica coffee’s roots involved analyzing genomes of different coffee plants, including samples dating back to the 1700s that were used by Carl Linnaeus to name the plant. This research was published in the journal Nature Genetics and involved contributions from Nestlé researchers.
The study revealed that over thousands of years, the arabica plant’s population fluctuated due to various climate conditions, with periods of population bottlenecks where only genetically similar plants survived. This has made arabica coffee plants more vulnerable to diseases such as coffee leaf rust, which results in significant economic losses for coffee growers annually. By exploring the genetic makeup of an arabica variety that is resistant to coffee leaf rust, researchers identified sections of its genetic code that could help protect the plant and improve crop sustainability.
The findings of the study help shed light on how arabica coffee plants came to be and provide insight into safeguarding the crop for the future. Understanding the history of arabica coffee and its genetic diversity can be instrumental in keeping coffee plants healthy and ensuring a steady supply of coffee for consumers. By examining the past and present of arabica coffee, researchers and industry experts can work together to address challenges such as diseases and climate changes that threaten the coffee supply chain.
Victor Albert, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who co-led the study, emphasized that arabica coffee originated through natural crossbreeding without any human intervention. The information gathered from the study provides valuable insights that can help researchers and coffee growers protect arabica coffee plants from pests and climate-related risks. By recognizing the vulnerabilities of coffee plants and identifying genetic factors that contribute to disease resistance, efforts can be made to improve the sustainability and resilience of coffee crops globally.
As coffee continues to be a staple in many people’s daily routines, understanding the genetic history of arabica coffee plants is crucial for ensuring a stable supply of this beloved beverage. By exploring the genetic makeup of arabica plants and identifying factors that contribute to disease resistance, researchers can develop strategies to protect coffee crops from threats such as climate change and pests. The study’s findings offer a deeper understanding of arabica coffee’s past and present, highlighting the importance of preserving genetic diversity to maintain a healthy and sustainable coffee industry for future generations.
