Beverage
Icatu
C tier
Icatu is a Brazilian Coffea arabica cultivar group developed by backcrossing arabica–robusta hybrids into Bourbon and Mundo Novo, then selecting for coffee leaf rust resistance, vigour, and high yield. Red and yellow fruiting forms exist; plants are generally tall and productive under Brazilian sun-grown and semi-intensive systems. Cup quality is typically solid commercial Brazilian—nutty, chocolate, low-to-medium acidity—with better lots suited to espresso blends and larger specialty programmes. Icatu remains part of Brazil’s rust-management portfolio alongside Mundo Novo, Catuai, and Sarchimor-derived cultivars.
Also known as: Icatu Vermelho, Icatu Amarelo
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Brazilian breeders began using arabica–robusta hybrids to introgress rust resistance into commercial arabica.
Backcrosses to Bourbon and Mundo Novo stabilised arabica-type plants with retained resistance genes.
Icatu lines were advanced through Instituto Agronômico programmes for yield and agronomic fitness.
Icatu cultivars were released for commercial planting in rust-affected Brazilian regions.
Red and yellow Icatu expanded in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and other producing states.
Icatu continued in mixed plantings with Catuai and newer resistant cultivars for diversified risk.