Natural Low-Caffeine Coffee: What Is Laurina?

If you love the aroma and taste of coffee but can’t handle caffeine—whether for health, pregnancy, or sensitivity—you’ve likely faced a dilemma. Most ‘decaf’ coffee is made by removing caffeine after harvest, often through chemical or water processes that can dull flavor. But what if there were a coffee that simply grew with far less caffeine to begin with?

The answer is Laurina—a naturally low-caffeine coffee variety with roughly 0.6% caffeine content, compared to 1.2–1.5% in regular Arabica. That’s about half the usual stimulant level, yet it’s not a lab creation or chemically altered bean. It’s a rare genetic variant of Bourbon that occurs naturally.

What Is Laurina and Why Is It Different?

Laurina, also known as Coffea arabica var. Laurina or Borbon pointu, is a naturally occurring mutation of the Bourbon coffee variety. Unlike typical Arabica beans, Laurina coffee cherries contain significantly less caffeine. This isn’t due to processing—it’s in the plant’s genes. The bean itself is smaller and more slender, often referred to as ‘dwarf’ or ‘slim’ due to its narrow shape.

Its lower caffeine content is due to a genetic trait that reduces the production of caffeine in the coffee plant’s seeds. While this might sound like a modern lab achievement, Laurina has been around for over a century, though it nearly disappeared due to low yields and difficulties in cultivation.

The Discovery and Rediscovery of Laurina

In 1989, Andrea Illy, then head of the Italian coffee roasting company Illycaffè, acquired a batch of 185,000 coffee seedlings that an American company had discarded. Among these, his team identified a group of Bourbon plants with naturally low caffeine levels. From these, they selected 15 strong ‘mother trees’ and began selective breeding. This eventually led to the identification and stabilization of the Laurina variety.

Salvador planted these selected Laurina trees around the year 2000 for trials, and the variety has since spread to other coffee-growing countries, including Costa Rica and Colombia. Around the same time, Japanese UCC Coffee and French scientists were working independently in Madagascar on a very similar Bourbon mutation, which they called Bourbon Pointu.

Though both projects targeted the same genetic trait, Laurina became the more widely recognized name, especially as cultivation spread in Central and South America.

Why Is Laurina So Rare and Expensive?

Laurina is difficult to grow. The plants tend to yield fewer cherries, mature more slowly, and are more sensitive to environmental stress compared to standard Arabica varieties. These factors make large-scale farming of Laurina a challenge, which keeps supply low and demand high among specialty roasters.

Despite these hurdles, Laurina has seen a resurgence in recent years. In a recent auction, a small lot of just 23 pounds (about 10 kg) of Colombian Laurina green coffee beans sold for over $100 per pound. That’s more than 10 times the price of commercial-grade Arabica, reflecting both its rarity and the growing interest in naturally low-caffeine options.

How Does Laurina Taste Compared to Regular Coffee?

Because Laurina is a Bourbon variety, it shares some sensory traits with other Bourbons—typically a brighter acidity, medium body, and notes of floral or fruity qualities. However, its unique growing challenges and lower caffeine content can also influence its cup profile.

While detailed tasting notes vary by farm and processing method, Laurina is generally appreciated for its clarity and delicate flavors. It’s often described as having a cleaner, more nuanced cup than many other low-caffeine alternatives. Importantly, because its low caffeine content is natural, it doesn’t rely on harsh processing methods that can degrade flavor—unlike traditional decaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Laurina coffee?

Laurina is a naturally occurring variety of Arabica coffee with about 0.6% caffeine, roughly half the amount found in regular Arabica. It’s a genetic mutation of the Bourbon variety and is valued for being low in caffeine without chemical decaffeination.

Is Laurina really naturally decaffeinated?

Yes. Laurina coffee naturally contains much less caffeine due to its genetics. It isn’t a processed decaf coffee, but a rare variety of Arabica that grows with inherently lower caffeine levels—about 0.6% compared to the usual 1.2–1.5%.

Where is Laurina coffee grown today?

Laurina is grown in select coffee regions including Colombia, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. It originated from genetic material first identified in the late 1980s by Illycaffè, and later cultivated in places like Salvador and Madagascar (as Bourbon Pointu).

Why is Laurina so expensive?

Laurina is expensive due to its low yields, slow maturation, and sensitivity to growing conditions. The small global supply and increasing demand for naturally low-caffeine coffee also drive up prices. Recent auctions have seen it sell for over $100 per pound.

How does Laurina compare to regular decaf coffee?

Unlike regular decaf, which is made by removing caffeine via chemical or water processes after harvest, Laurina is naturally low in caffeine from the plant itself. This typically results in better flavor retention, as it avoids the harsh treatments used in conventional decaffeination.

Can I brew Laurina like normal coffee?

Yes. Laurina can be brewed using standard methods like pour-over, French press, or espresso machines. Its lower caffeine content and unique flavor profile may suit those seeking a milder or more delicate cup without sacrificing coffee flavor.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Low-Caffeine Lovers

If you’re avoiding caffeine but still want great coffee flavor, try FrontStreet’s washed Yirgacheffe (Gedeb) for bright citrus and tropical fruit, or their classic PWN Golden Mandheling for herbal, spicy depth. Both are 100% Arabica and naturally caffeine-rich—but perfect for exploring flavor complexity without going decaf. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.