The Forgotten Coffee Origins of Réunion Island

Réunion Island isn’t the coffee hub it used to be — but its role in spreading one of the world’s most influential coffee varieties is impossible to ignore. If you’ve ever heard of ‘Bourbon’ coffee, you’ve already encountered Réunion’s forgotten legacy. But what happened to the island that gave this variety its name? And why isn’t any of that original coffee still grown there today?

The short answer: of the first 40 coffee trees shipped from Yemen’s Mocha port to Réunion in 1715, only two survived. By 1719, those survivors launched the island’s first coffee plantations. Yet despite coffee’s early success, the industry collapsed entirely over time. Today, almost no coffee is grown on Réunion at all — even though the ‘Bourbon’ coffee variety it helped spread is now beloved worldwide.

The First Coffee Trees in Réunion

In 1715, approximately 40 coffee trees arrived in Réunion — then a French colony known as Bourbon Island — from the port of Mocha in Yemen. Tragically, only two of those trees survived the journey. Despite the high mortality, the surviving plants thrived. By 1719, the island’s first coffee plantations were operational and began selling coffee beans commercially.

The Government Mandates That Shaped (and Doomed) the Industry

In the years following the plantations’ launch, the colonial government imposed strict coffee cultivation laws. All residents — regardless of race — were required to plant 100 coffee trees per year. Then, in 1723, the law became even more extreme: enslaved people were mandated to plant 200 Mocha coffee trees annually. Destruction of coffee trees was punishable by death. These measures temporarily boosted production, but they couldn’t prevent the industry’s long-term decline.

Why Bourbon Coffee Thrived Elsewhere But Vanished on Réunion

The coffee grown on Réunion during its peak was derived from Yemeni Mocha stock and became known as ‘Bourbon’ coffee due to the island’s colonial name. This same variety went on to be planted across the globe — especially in regions like Brazil, Rwanda, and East Africa. Over time, it became one of the foundational Arabica varieties, known for its balanced cup and genetic adaptability. Ironically, while Bourbon coffee flourished internationally, it nearly disappeared on Réunion itself. Today, the island produces almost no coffee, even though its name is forever linked to one of the world’s most historically significant coffee varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bourbon coffee and where did it come from?

Bourbon coffee is an old Arabica variety that originated from Yemeni Mocha coffee trees. It was brought to Réunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) in 1715, and the surviving plants gave rise to the Bourbon variety. Though named after the island, it spread globally and is now grown in places like Brazil, Rwanda, and East Africa.

Why did coffee planting become mandatory in Réunion?

In the early 1700s, the French colonial government mandated coffee cultivation to boost production. All residents had to plant 100 coffee trees per year, and in 1723, enslaved people were required to plant 200 Mocha coffee trees annually. Destruction of coffee trees was even punishable by death.

Did Bourbon coffee originate on Réunion Island?

Bourbon coffee was named after Réunion Island when it was a French colony called Bourbon. The variety was derived from Yemeni Mocha coffee trees that were brought to the island in 1715. Though it originated there, it became more widely cultivated and known globally than on Réunion itself.

Is coffee still grown on Réunion Island today?

No, coffee is almost no longer grown on Réunion Island today. Despite being the origin point of the globally significant Bourbon coffee variety, the local industry declined and has effectively disappeared in modern times.

How did Bourbon coffee spread around the world?

Bourbon coffee spread from Réunion Island to other French colonies and beyond. It was taken to places like Brazil, East Africa, and Rwanda, where it became a foundational variety due to its balance, yield, and genetic traits. Its global movement began with its survival on Réunion after the initial Yemeni Mocha introduction.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans Related to Bourbon-Type Coffees

If you’re curious about the flavors linked to Réunion’s historic Bourbon coffee, try FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon), offering clean, bright acidity with notes of cream, peanut candy, and chocolate; or Rwanda Red Bourbon from 1700–2000m altitude, known for vibrant acidity, citrus, and floral tones when roasted lightly. Both showcase the cup profiles descended from the original Bourbon lineage. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.