A dwarf, conical Bourbon mutation from Réunion, known for roughly half the caffeine of typical arabica and a delicate, sweet cup.
Laurina, also sold as Bourbon Pointu, is a natural mutation of Bourbon that appeared on Réunion (formerly Bourbon Island) in the early 1800s. Trees are short and conical, with small, angular, pointed seeds, and are commonly described as growing slowly. Its most distinctive trait is a caffeine content of roughly half that of typical arabica.
Early researchers guessed it might be a hybrid with a caffeine-free Mascarene coffee species, but a 2009 genetic study tied it firmly to Bourbon. In the cup it is usually described as sweet, delicate and bright, and roasters treat it as a variety needing a careful roast.
Field notes
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Laurina carries roughly half the usual caffeine, which once made researchers suspect a caffeine-free Mascarene parent, but a 2009 genetic study put it about 0.05 percent from Bourbon.
Family tree
Laurina is a mutation of Bourbon.
In the cup, according to guides
- BitternessLessRoyal Coffee and Perfect Daily Grind both describe Laurina as sweet with very little bitterness.
Sources · 3 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-11. Some details here are less settled than others.
- Bourbon's Botanical Origins And The Evolution Of Laurina · Royal Coffee
- Exploring the Laurina coffee variety · Perfect Daily Grind
- The Coffee Roaster's Complete Guide to Coffee Varieties and Cultivars · Daily Coffee News