Why Réunion No Longer Grows Its Famous Bourbon Coffee

When coffee lovers hear ‘Bourbon’, many think of Madagascar, Latin America, or East Africa. But few know that the coffee variety now beloved worldwide actually began its journey on a small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean—Réunion, then called Bourbon Island. So why, if this place gave the Bourbon coffee its name, does almost no one grow it there anymore?

The short answer: in the 18th century, the French colony of Bourbon Island was the birthplace of global Bourbon coffee cultivation—but today, it produces almost none. By the early 1800s, government mandates forced residents to plant hundreds of trees yearly, but over time, economic shifts, climate challenges, and competition led to near-total local disappearance of the variety that once defined the island.

The Origins of Bourbon Coffee on Réunion

In 1715, around 40 coffee trees arrived on Réunion from Yemen’s Port of Mocha. Only two survived the journey. By 1719, those survivors had given rise to the island’s first thriving coffee plantations, and the first commercial coffee harvests were sold. The island was then a French colony known as Bourbon Island, and the coffee grown there—along with any Arabica trees exported from it—became known as ‘Bourbon’ coffee.

Government Mandates and Forced Cultivation

To boost production, the colonial government imposed strict coffee-growing laws. Initially, all residents—regardless of race—were required to plant 100 coffee trees per year. By 1723, this law was amended: enslaved people were mandated to plant 200 Mocha (Bourbon) coffee trees annually, and anyone caught damaging a coffee tree faced the death penalty. These extreme measures temporarily expanded plantation acreage and coffee output, embedding Bourbon coffee deeply in the island’s agricultural identity.

From Colonial Export to Global Spread—and Local Decline

Bourbon coffee, as cultivated on Réunion, was eventually transported across the globe, becoming one of the most influential Arabica varieties in countries like Brazil, Rwanda, and beyond. Over time, however, the local industry collapsed. Economic pressures, changing crop priorities, and the difficulty of competing with larger coffee-exporting nations caused Réunion to abandon widespread coffee farming. Today, almost no Bourbon coffee is grown on the island that gave it its name.

What Is Bourbon Coffee?

Bourbon is one of the oldest Arabica coffee varieties, alongside Typica. It originated on the island and was named after it—while the island was still called Bourbon. Unlike Typica, Bourbon has broader leaves, denser growth, and yields about 30% more coffee per plant. Its beans are typically rounder and shorter, often exhibiting medium acidity. However, Bourbon is also known for its relatively low disease resistance. The most common variants are Red Bourbon (red fruit) and Yellow Bourbon (yellow/orange fruit), along with less common Pink Bourbon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Bourbon coffee originally come from?

Bourbon coffee originated on Réunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) after the French imported a small number of coffee trees from Yemen’s Mocha Port in 1715. Though only two trees survived, they became the foundation of the island’s coffee production and gave the variety its name.

Why is it called Bourbon coffee?

The coffee variety is named after the island of Bourbon (now Réunion), where it was first cultivated outside Yemen in significant numbers. The name stuck as the variety spread globally, even though the island no longer grows much of it.

Did the island really make enslaved people plant coffee?

Yes. By 1723, colonial law required enslaved people on Bourbon Island to plant 200 Mocha (Bourbon) coffee trees each year, and destruction of coffee trees was punishable by death. This forced cultivation helped expand production dramatically in the 18th century.

What happened to coffee farming on Réunion?

Economic changes, competition from larger producers, and shifting agricultural priorities caused Réunion to move away from coffee. Today, almost no coffee is grown on the island despite its historical role as the origin point of Bourbon coffee.

Is Bourbon coffee still grown anywhere?

Yes. While no longer grown on Réunion, Bourbon coffee is widely cultivated in countries like Brazil, Rwanda, and Colombia, often as Red Bourbon or Yellow Bourbon, and remains a key parent variety in modern coffee genetics.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Bourbon Types

Though Réunion no longer grows Bourbon coffee, you can explore its legacy through related varieties. FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon) offers balanced, sweet flavours with caramel and almond notes, showcasing the brightness of high-elevation yellow-fruited Bourbon. For red-fruit profiles, try Rwanda Red Bourbon from the volcanic hills of Rwanda—renowned for its vibrant acidity and citrusy complexity. Both beans reflect the genetic strength and cup potential of the original Bourbon lineage, now thriving far from its birthplace. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.