What is Abyssinia Coffee?
Abyssinia is a coffee varietal that was originally brought to Java in 1928 by a Dutch researcher. The cultivar was then introduced to other parts of Indonesia, such as the Aceh region of Sumatra, where it has become an important part of the coffee industry.
One of the distinctive features of Abyssinia is its longberry bean and bronze new leaf. These characteristics make it easily recognizable and have contributed to its popularity among coffee growers.
Abyssinia has two forms, AB-3 and AB-7, with AB-7 potentially being crossed with the Timor Hybrid to produce a new hybrid varietal. The resulting hybrid combines the unique characteristics of Abyssinia with the disease resistance of the Timor Hybrid.
In addition to the Abyssinia cultivar, there is also a group of Ethiopian varieties found in Sulawesi, Java, and Sumatra that were introduced by the USDA in the 1950s. These varieties are part of the USDA Coffee Variety collection and have been used to produce other hybrid varietals.
Overall, Abyssinia is an important coffee varietal that has contributed to the diversity of coffee flavors and characteristics found in Indonesia and other coffee-growing regions. Its unique longberry bean and bronze new leaf make it easily recognizable, and its potential for hybridization with other varietals makes it an attractive choice for coffee growers looking to develop new and improved coffee plants.