Ever sipped on that morning coffee and wondered about its age? Turns out, it could be as ancient as 600,000 years old. Researchers have delved into the genetic history of the beloved Coffea arabica, shedding light on its remarkable journey from wild origins to global coffee cups.
Driven by a quest to safeguard coffee plants from pests and climate shifts, scientists constructed a family tree for Coffea arabica by analyzing genes from coffee plants worldwide. Their findings revealed that this iconic species emerged around 600,000 years ago, through the natural crossbreeding of two other coffee species, long before human intervention.
Victor Albert, a biologist at the University at Buffalo and co-leader of the study, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating, “In other words, prior to any intervention from man.”
The story of arabica coffee traces back to its wild origins in Ethiopia, but its journey to prominence began in Yemen during the 1400s when it was first roasted and brewed. The legendary tale of Indian monk Baba Budan smuggling seven raw coffee beans from Yemen to India in the 1600s set the stage for coffee’s global conquest.
Today, arabica coffee dominates 60% to 70% of the global coffee market, prized for its smooth and sweet flavor profile. It’s the choice brew for coffee giants like Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, and Dunkin’ Donuts, while the remaining market share is claimed by robusta, a stronger and more bitter variety.
To unravel arabica coffee’s ancestry, researchers scrutinized genomes of its parent species, Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides, along with over 30 arabica plants, including specimens dating back to the 1700s. This comprehensive analysis, including contributions from Nestlé, offers crucial insights into the genetic makeup of arabica varieties, paving the way for enhanced crop protection.
Arabica’s tumultuous journey through millennia, marked by population fluctuations and environmental challenges, underscores its vulnerability to diseases like coffee leaf rust, causing significant economic losses annually. By identifying genetic traits associated with disease resistance, researchers aim to fortify the resilience of arabica coffee plants against future threats.
Fabian Echeverria, an adviser at the Center for Coffee Research and Education at Texas A&M University, hailed the study’s contribution to understanding and safeguarding the future of coffee cultivation.
As we delve deeper into arabica’s past and present, we uncover invaluable insights crucial for preserving the health of coffee plants and ensuring that our cups remain brimming with this beloved elixir for many mornings to come.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
