The Controversy Over the Dutch 'Mother Coffee Tree'

The coffee you drink today—whether from Colombia, Ethiopia, or Jamaica—likely traces back to one of just two coffee varieties: Typica or Bourbon. But long before specialty roasters debated single-origin lots, European empires fought over the humble seed that started it all. And at the heart of that fight was a single 'mother coffee tree' cultivated by the Dutch in the 17th century. But which one was it, really?

The answer is both—but in sequence. The first 'mother tree' was a Typica grown in a Dutch greenhouse around 1658, cloned from Yemeni Mocha stock. Later, in 1706, a living Java-grown Typica tree was brought to Amsterdam and became Europe’s official 'mother tree.' Both were Typica, both changed coffee forever.

The Origins: Yemen, Smuggled Seeds, and Colonial Ambition

All coffee grown in Central and South America, as well as Asia, originates from just two Yemeni cultivars: Typica and Bourbon. The Dutch cultivated their 'mother coffee tree' from the Typica variety. In 1658, after defeating the Portuguese, the Dutch took control of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and the Malabar region of India—both areas where Arab traders had already smuggled and grown Yemeni Mocha coffee. These territories became the Dutch’s first foothold in the coffee trade.

The First Failed Attempt: Greenhouse to Sri Lanka

In the same year, 1658, the Dutch tried to cultivate coffee on a larger scale by transporting seeds from their greenhouse-grown 'mother tree' to Sri Lanka. Their hope was to leverage the region’s warmth. But the effort failed—local farmers showed little interest in coffee cultivation, and the project collapsed due to lack of cooperation.

The Successful Move: Typica to Java

Undeterred, the Dutch East India Company made two more attempts in 1696 and 1699, transplanting two batches of Typica seedlings from Malabar (in western India) to Java (Indonesia). This time, the reception was different. Javanese farmers embraced the crop, and the cultivation succeeded. By 1706, the Dutch were proud enough of their Java coffee to ship a single tree back to the Netherlands.

Europe’s Official 'Mother Tree': The Java Export

That Java-grown Typica tree arrived at the Amsterdam Hortus Botanicus (Royal Botanical Garden) in 1706. It was placed in a greenhouse, flowered in 1713, and bore fruit. This living tree became recognized across Europe as the new 'mother coffee tree.' Scholars still debate whether an earlier Typica seedling—smuggled by Captain Jan Huyghen van Linschoten or another Dutch trader in 1616—should hold the title. But most agree that the 1706 Java tree became the definitive European source.

By any account, both 'mother trees' were Typica—a tall-growing Arabica variety with long, oval-shaped beans and copper-colored young leaves, known as Bronze-Tipped Typica. Many classic coffees, including Mandheling, Blue Mountain, and Kona, descend from Typica.

The Spread: From Java to the World

After the success in Java, the Dutch expanded coffee cultivation to nearby Sumatra and Sulawesi in 1718. By 1711, Java exported its first 450 kilograms of coffee to Europe. Just ten years later, in 1721, combined exports from Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi hit 60,000 kilograms. By 1731, the Dutch East India Company had become self-sufficient in coffee, stopping all imports from Yemen’s Mocha. Java coffee emerged as a global rival to Mocha, and the Dutch led the European race for coffee dominance—well ahead of France and Britain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'coffee mother tree'?

The 'coffee mother tree' refers to the original coffee plant cultivated by the Dutch in the 17th century, from which many global coffee varieties were derived. There are two claimed 'mother trees': one grown in a Dutch greenhouse around 1658 from Yemeni Typica stock, and another Java-grown Typica tree transported to Amsterdam in 1706. Both are Typica and played major roles in spreading coffee cultivation.

Was the original coffee mother tree really Dutch?

Yes, in the sense that the Dutch cultivated and distributed the first widely recognized 'mother trees' in Europe. The first attempt was a greenhouse-grown Typica from Yemeni stock in 1658. The more famous one was a Java-grown Typica tree brought to Amsterdam in 1706, which became Europe’s official mother tree. Both were instrumental in spreading Arabica coffee.

What coffee variety were the Dutch mother trees?

Both disputed 'mother trees' were of the Typica variety—an original Arabica type with long, oval beans and bronze-tipped young leaves. Typica is one of the two foundational varieties (alongside Bourbon) from which most global coffee descends.

Where did Typica coffee spread to first?

Typica was first cultivated by the Dutch in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and India’s Malabar Coast, but those early attempts failed. It succeeded in Java (Indonesia) starting in 1699, leading to Java’s first coffee exports by 1711. From there, it spread to Sumatra, Sulawesi, and eventually globally.

Why did the Dutch move coffee from Java to other islands?

After the success of coffee cultivation in Java, the Dutch expanded to nearby regions like Sumatra and Sulawesi in 1718 to increase production and meet growing European demand. Exports surged, making Java coffee a major global commodity by the 1730s.

What happened to the mother tree in Amsterdam?

The Typica tree brought from Java to Amsterdam in 1706 was planted in the Hortus Botanicus greenhouse. It flowered in 1713 and produced fruit. This tree became the reference 'mother tree' for European coffee propagation and research throughout the 18th century.

FrontStreet Coffee Typica & Bourbon Picks

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