The Arara Coffee Variety: Scientific Insights and Popularity in Brazil

Arara is a recently developed coffee variety that has gained significant traction among coffee producers in Brazil due to its exceptional agronomic traits and cup quality. Introduced in 2012 by Fundação Procafé, Arara is notable for its resilience, high productivity, and desirable sensory attributes.

Key Agronomic Traits of Arara:

1. Genetic Background and Development:
– Arara originated from a natural cross between Sarchimor 1669-20 and possibly either Yellow Catuaior Yellow Icatu (an artificial hybrid between arabica and canephora species). This natural hybridization occurred under field conditions, leading to the emergence of unique genetic traits.

2. Morphological and Physiological Characteristics:
– Arara produces yellow cherries containing larger beans than many other varieties
– Arara cherries ripen more slowly compared to other varieties, which can lead to a more gradual accumulation of complex flavor compounds.

3. Disease Resistance:
– Arara shows significant resistance to coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae), and phoma leaf spot.

Significance and Impact of Arara in Brazil:

1 .Arara is noted for its exceptional cup profile, characterized by balanced acidity, sweetness, and complex flavor notes (floral to fruity). This makes it highly competitive in specialty coffee markets.

2 .Arara has frequently achieved high scores in coffee competitions, such as the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA) competitions. In 2019, an Arara from Fazenda Sertãozinho scored 92.5 in the Aroma BSCA competition.

Arara represents a significant advancement in coffee cultivation, combining desirable agronomic traits with high sensory quality. Its resilience to diseases and environmental stresses, combined with its economic advantages, has made it a popular choice among Brazilian coffee producers. As the coffee industry faces increasing challenges from climate change and market demands, Arara’s versatility and robustness position it well for the future.

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