Arara: Brazil’s Bright Yellow Hybrid with Big Potential
| Varietal: | Arara |
| Related to: | Yellow Catuai × Obatã (Timor Hybrid) |
| Origin: | Brazil |
| Botanical Type: | Hybrid (Natural cross) |
| Optimal Elevation: | 1,000 meters and above |
| Prevalent In: | Brazil (experimental and early adoption phase) |
| Fruit Color: | Yellow |
| Fruit Size: | Normal, Rounded |
| Leaf Characteristics: | Wide, Large |
| Tree Size: | Medium |
| Tasting Notes: | Sweet, chocolatey, muted but defined acidity, good body and aftertaste |
| Disease Resistance: | High (notably to coffee leaf rust) |
| Yield: | High |
| Cup Quality: | High potential; scores up to 92.5 in competitions |
Origins and Development
Arara was developed by the Procafé Foundation at its experimental farm in Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It originated from a natural cross between Yellow Catuai and Obatã. Discovered unexpectedly in a master plot, Arara stood out for its yellow cherries, high productivity, and immunity to coffee leaf rust.
After over 15 years of evaluation, Arara was officially released in 2012. It has since gained popularity for its resilience and cup quality.
Agronomic Characteristics
Arara is a medium-sized tree with large, wide leaves and rounded yellow cherries. It thrives at elevations above 1,000 meters and is tolerant to drought and heavy rains. Its cherries adhere well to branches, reducing harvest losses.
It shows strong resistance to coffee leaf rust, bacterial blight, and Phoma leaf spot, making it ideal for sustainable farming.
Cup Profile and Market Appeal
Arara has achieved cupping scores in the high 80s and low 90s, with one lot scoring 92.5 points in the 2019 BSCA Aroma competition. Its profile is sweet and chocolatey, with muted but defined acidity, good body, and a clean aftertaste.
Its slow maturation may contribute to its complexity, allowing more time for sugars and aromatic compounds to develop.
Adoption and Future Outlook
Tulio Junqueira at Carmo Estate Coffees was among the first to receive Arara seedlings in 2014. Early harvests have shown great promise in both yield and quality. Today, Arara accounts for 60% of seedling orders at Procafé, signaling its strong future in Brazilian coffee.