The Origins of Reunion Island’s Bourbon Coffee

In 1715, a shipment of roughly 40 coffee trees arrived on Reunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) from Yemen’s Port of Mocha. Just two survived the journey—but those two would spark a coffee legacy. By 1719, the island’s first coffee plantations were thriving and selling beans. Within a few years, the government mandated every resident, regardless of race, to plant 100 coffee trees annually. Then, in 1723, a harsher law required all enslaved people to plant 200 trees each year, with a death penalty for damaging any coffee tree. These trees, originally from Yemen, became known as 'Bourbon coffee'—named after the island’s colonial name—and gave rise to a coffee variety that would influence the world.

The short answer? Reunion Island (Bourbon Island) is the birthplace of the Bourbon coffee variety. Just two of the original 40 Yemeni coffee trees survived in 1715, but their descendants became the globally cultivated Bourbon Arabica, famed for its balanced cup. Though no longer grown locally, the island’s early coffee laws and environment helped shape a coffee still loved today.

Where Reunion Island’s Coffee Was Grown

The coffee grown on Reunion Island produced smaller beans than typical Arabica, leading to the recognition of Bourbon coffee as a distinct variety. Although the island is no longer a coffee-producing hub, the 'Bourbon-type' Arabica trees spread worldwide and became highly sought after. Originally labeled as coming from 'Bourbon Island,' these beans carried the name of their origin—even after transplantation.

What Made Bourbon Coffee Unique

Reunion-grown coffee became known as 'Bourbon coffee' for good reason. This variety, part of the Arabica species, developed unique characteristics in the island’s environment. Over time, the Bourbon cultivar diverged enough to be considered its own lineage within Arabica. Though production on Reunion has nearly ceased, the global influence of this variety remains strong. It is valued for its medium acidity and versatile profile.

Flavor Profile and Roasting Recommendations

Bourbon coffee from Reunion—though rarely sourced directly from there now—has been described as having a rich, well-balanced flavor. Roasters typically recommend medium to dark roasts to highlight its inherent qualities. While specific tasting notes from Reunion-grown beans are scarce today, the Bourbon variety as a whole is known for delivering a structured cup with moderate acidity and a rounded body, making it suitable for a variety of brewing methods.

Why Reunion Stopped Growing Coffee

Today, Reunion Island produces almost no coffee at all. The once-thriving plantations have vanished, and the island no longer features coffee as part of its agricultural output. Despite this, the genetic and historical legacy of its early coffee trees—the very ones that survived that first shipment from Yemen—live on in coffee farms around the globe, particularly in varieties derived from the original Bourbon stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Reunion Island, and why is it important in coffee history?

Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean, was a French colony formerly known as Bourbon Island. It is historically significant because the first Arabian Mocha coffee trees brought to the island in 1715 survived and gave rise to the Bourbon coffee variety, which later spread worldwide.

How did Bourbon coffee get its name?

Bourbon coffee was named after the island’s colonial name, Bourbon Island (now Reunion Island). The coffee variety originated from just two surviving trees from a 1715 shipment from Yemen’s Mocha port and became widely planted under that geographic identifier.

What does Bourbon coffee taste like?

Bourbon coffee is generally known for a rich, balanced flavor with moderate acidity. While specific notes from Reunion-grown beans are no longer documented, the broader Bourbon variety is appreciated for its structured cup and versatility in brewing.

Is Bourbon coffee still grown on Reunion Island?

No, Reunion Island no longer grows coffee commercially. The island stopped producing coffee altogether, and today almost none is cultivated there, though the Bourbon variety it helped create thrives elsewhere.

What roast level is best for Bourbon coffee?

Medium to dark roasts are recommended for Bourbon coffee to best develop its inherent flavor profile, which includes a balanced taste and moderate acidity.

What happened to the original coffee trees brought to Reunion in 1715?

Out of the original 40 coffee trees shipped from Yemen’s Mocha port in 1715, only two survived. These two trees became the ancestors of the Bourbon coffee variety cultivated on the island and later around the world.

Recommended FrontStreet Bourbon-Type Coffee Beans

For a taste of Bourbon-type profiles, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon), offering balanced creaminess with peanut candy and almond notes; Rwanda Red Bourbon, showcasing bright citrus and floral tones with a juicy acidity; and Brazil’s Red Bourbon from the region, delivering chocolatey, nutty richness ideal for milk drinks. All are expertly roasted to highlight their Bourbon lineage. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.