Where Is Réunion Coffee From? The Lost Bourbon Island Origins

When coffee lovers hear 'Bourbon', they often think of Madagascar’s nearby island or a classic roast profile — but few realize the name originally comes from what’s now called Réunion Island. This tiny French territory in the Indian Ocean was once the unlikely cradle of one of the world’s most influential coffee varieties. So where exactly did Réunion’s coffee come from, and why did it vanish from its birthplace?

The first coffee trees arrived in Réunion (then called Bourbon Island) from Yemen’s Port of Mocha in 1715 — just two of roughly 40 survived. By 1719, the first commercial coffee crop was sold. Local laws then forced all residents, regardless of origin, to plant 100 coffee trees per year, later raised to 200 trees per slave under penalty of death. This brutal push created Réunion’s original coffee industry.

The Origins of Réunion Coffee

In 1715, around 40 coffee trees were shipped from Yemen’s Mocha port to Réunion Island. Tragically, only two survived the journey. By 1719, those survivors had grown into a productive enough crop for the island’s first coffee sales. Over the next few years, the colonial government implemented draconian agricultural policies: every inhabitant, Black or white, was required to plant 100 coffee trees annually. Then, in 1723, the law was amended for enslaved people — each was mandated to plant 200 Mocha-type coffee trees, with the death penalty imposed for damaging any coffee tree. At the time, the island was a French colony known as Bourbon Island, which is how its coffee earned the name 'Bourbon coffee'.

What Became of Réunion’s Coffee Varietal?

The coffee grown on Réunion produced smaller beans than typical Arabica, leading to the development of a distinct variety. Though the 'Bourbon-type' Arabica trees spread worldwide and became highly regarded, coffee cultivation in Réunion itself has nearly disappeared. The island’s unique environmental conditions contributed to the evolution of a localized coffee plant, but today, almost no coffee is grown there.

Flavor and Roasting Profile of Bourbon Coffee

Bourbon coffee, as it came to be known, was celebrated for its rich flavor and well-balanced cup. Though no longer grown on Réunion, the variety developed there became foundational for global coffee cultivation. It is typically recommended for medium to dark roasting, which enhances its body and brings out deeper sweetness. The cup quality was rated as 'good' (★★), reflecting its strong performance in the cup despite the harsh conditions of its origin.

Why Isn’t Coffee Grown in Réunion Anymore?

Though Réunion was once a significant coffee producer, it now has almost no active coffee cultivation. The reasons are historical, environmental, and economic. The island shifted its agricultural focus over the centuries, and the tough legacy of forced labor, combined with the vulnerability of the Bourbon variety to disease, led to its disappearance from local farms. Today, Réunion is known more for its vanilla and sugar industries than for coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Bourbon coffee originally come from?

Bourbon coffee originated on Réunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) after the French brought coffee seedlings from Yemen’s Mocha port in 1715. Only two of the original 40 trees survived, but they became the foundation of the island’s coffee industry and gave the variety its name.

Why is it called Bourbon coffee?

The coffee variety is named after Bourbon Island, the former name of Réunion when it was a French colony. The name stuck even after the coffee spread globally, originating from the trees first cultivated on the island in the early 18th century.

What happened to coffee production on Réunion Island?

Coffee production on Réunion nearly vanished over time. Harsh colonial laws initially drove cultivation, but the industry collapsed due to shifting agriculture, the end of slavery, and the eventual focus on other exports like sugar and vanilla. Today, almost no coffee is grown on the island.

What does Bourbon coffee taste like?

Bourbon coffee is known for a full body, rich flavor, and balanced cup profile. Though originally grown on Réunion, the variety became famous for its performance under medium to dark roasts, often yielding sweet and smooth results with good cup quality.

Are there any coffee varieties that come from Réunion?

Yes — the original Bourbon coffee variety was first cultivated on Réunion Island after being introduced from Yemen in 1715. Though the island no longer grows coffee, the Bourbon variety became widely planted around the world and is a parent to many modern Arabica types, including Red Bourbon and Yellow Bourbon.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans Related to Bourbon-Type Coffee

Though Réunion no longer grows coffee, its legacy lives on in Bourbon-type varieties. Try FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon), showcasing caramel, peanut brittle, and chocolate notes with a bright yet smooth cup — roasted medium-dark to enhance its natural sweetness. For a red-fruit-forward profile, FrontStreet’s Rwanda Red Bourbon offers citrus, floral tones, and juicy acidity, roasted light to preserve clarity. Both beans reflect the Bourbon lineage that started on Réunion. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.