What is the Icatu coffee varietal?
Icatu is a coffee varietal developed in Brazil by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). It is a hybrid of robusta and arabica cultivars, with the latter providing the majority of the genetic material. It was released in 1993 and is known for its high production and good disease resistance.
Icatu is a tall tree form, with 30-50% more cherry than Mundo Novo, and red- and yellow- fruited progenies. It is a precocious variety, meaning it matures quickly and is ready for harvest earlier than other varieties. This makes it an attractive option for farmers looking to maximize their yields.
The Icatu variety is known for its cup quality, which has been improved through back-crossing with arabica cultivars. It is also known for its good resistance to disease, which is an important factor for farmers in Brazil.
Overall, Icatu is a popular coffee varietal in Brazil due to its high production, good cup quality, and disease resistance. It is a hybrid of robusta and arabica cultivars, and has been back-crossed with arabica cultivars to improve cup quality. It is a tall tree form, with 30-50% more cherry than Mundo Novo, and red- and yellow- fruited progenies. It is a precocious variety, meaning it matures quickly and is ready for harvest earlier than other varieties. This makes it an attractive option for farmers looking to maximize their yields.