What Is Réunion Coffee? The Lost Home of Bourbon

Ever wonder why some legendary coffee varieties are tied to places that barely grow them anymore? Take Réunion Island—once the very birthplace of what we now call Bourbon coffee. Though this variety is now cherished globally, it’s nearly extinct where it started. What happened to the island’s coffee legacy?

Réunion Island, then called Bourbon Island, began growing coffee in 1715 with just 40 imported trees from Yemen’s Port of Mocha—but only two survived. By 1719, coffee plantations were thriving, and by 1723, laws forced every resident, enslaved or free, to plant hundreds of trees annually. That’s where Bourbon coffee began—but today, almost none is grown there.

The Origins of Bourbon Coffee on Réunion

In 1715, roughly 40 coffee trees from Yemen’s Mocha port arrived on what was then a French colony known as Bourbon Island (today’s Réunion). Tragically, only two of those trees survived. Yet by 1719, the island’s coffee plantations had taken off and produced the island’s first commercial coffee exports. Plantation growth was boosted by draconian colonial policies: by 1723, colonial law mandated that every inhabitant—regardless of race—plant 100 coffee trees per year. Enslaved people faced even harsher quotas: 200 Mocha coffee trees annually, under penalty of death for damaging any tree.

This labor-intensive push cemented coffee production on the island, and the coffee grown there inherited the island’s colonial name: “Bourbon.”

Why Isn’t Bourbon Coffee Grown in Réunion Anymore?

Despite being the birthplace of Bourbon coffee, Réunion today grows almost none of it. Over time, economic pressures, shifting agriculture, and the global dispersal of the Bourbon variety led to its near disappearance on the island. The harsh colonial coffee mandates no longer exist, and local agricultural priorities moved on. While the name “Bourbon” remains tied to this historic island, the coffee itself has vanished from its birthplace.

Bourbon Coffee: Then and Now

The Bourbon coffee variety, which originated on Réunion, eventually spread worldwide—and it remains one of the most influential Arabica types. A natural mutation of Typica, Bourbon plants produce broader leaves, denser growth, and about 30% higher yields. The beans are typically rounder and shorter than Typica, and when processed well, they develop a balanced cup with moderate acidity. However, Bourbon is also known for its relatively low disease resistance compared to modern hybrids.

Most Bourbon coffee plants produce red fruit (known as Red Bourbon), although mutations like Yellow Bourbon and Pink Bourbon also exist. These variants can bring distinct flavour profiles and growing characteristics depending on terroir.

About the Bourbon Variety Globally

Although no longer cultivated on Réunion, Bourbon coffee thrives elsewhere. It played a foundational role in the development of many beloved specialty varieties. For example, Red Bourbon is widely grown in Brazil and is known for sweet, wine-like acidity with notes of chocolate and nuts. Yellow Bourbon, a colour mutation, offers a cleaner, brighter cup with notes of caramel and soft nuttiness, often thriving at high elevations. Both are still cherished by roasters and drinkers seeking nuanced, classic profiles.

Even in regions like Rwanda and other high-altitude African zones, Bourbon and its offspring continue to perform well thanks to their historical resilience and adaptability—despite newer disease-resistant varieties taking centre stage in commercial production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Bourbon coffee originally come from?

Bourbon coffee originated on what is now Réunion Island, then a French colony called Bourbon Island. The first coffee trees were brought from Yemen’s Port of Mocha in 1715, and though only two survived, the variety eventually took the island’s former name. Though it spread globally, it’s no longer grown in significant amounts on Réunion.

Why is it called Bourbon coffee?

The coffee variety is named after Bourbon Island (now Réunion), where it was first cultivated outside Yemen in the early 18th century. The name stuck even after the coffee spread to other regions, becoming one of the most important Arabica varieties worldwide.

Is Bourbon coffee still grown anywhere?

Yes, Bourbon coffee is still grown in many countries, including Brazil, Rwanda, Yemen, and various parts of Central and South America. It is especially valued in specialty coffee for its balanced profile, though it is no longer widely grown on its original home, Réunion Island.

What’s the difference between Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon?

Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon are natural genetic mutations of the original Bourbon variety. Red Bourbon cherries ripen to a deep red colour and often produce a cup with brighter acidity and wine-like notes. Yellow Bourbon cherries turn yellow when ripe and tend to have a sweeter, smoother profile with softer acidity and notes like caramel or nuts.

What happened to coffee production on Réunion Island?

Although Réunion Island (formerly Bourbon Island) was the origin point of Bourbon coffee, colonial-era coffee farming collapsed over time. Today, almost no coffee is grown there. Economic shifts, changing agriculture, and the global distribution of the Bourbon variety led to its disappearance from the island despite its historical significance.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans Related to Bourbon Heritage

Though Réunion no longer grows coffee, you can explore the Bourbon heritage through related varieties. FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon) offers a bright, clean cup with notes of caramel, peanut brittle, and chocolate when medium-dark roasted—perfect for highlighting Bourbon’s sweeter side. For red fruit lovers, their Brazil Sidamo-inspired selection or similar Red Bourbon profiles (not listed but akin to their Sidra offerings) would mirror the winey acidity typical of Red Bourbon. These beans let you taste the legacy of Bourbon coffee, even if not from Réunion itself. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.