Where Is Reunion Island Coffee From?

When you taste a cup labeled 'Bourbon coffee', have you ever wondered where that name—and that distinctive flavor profile—first came from? The story doesn’t begin in Brazil or Ethiopia, but on a small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean that was once a key node in coffee’s global journey. Understanding Reunion Island’s role isn’t just trivia—it explains how one of the world’s most influential coffee varieties spread worldwide, then nearly disappeared from its birthplace.

The very first coffee trees arrived on Reunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) in 1715 from the Yemeni port of Mocha—of 40 plants, only 2 survived. By 1719, the first coffee harvest occurred, and within years, colonial laws forced residents to plant hundreds of coffee trees annually. That early coffee, cultivated under harsh mandates, became known as 'Bourbon coffee' after the island’s colonial name. Today, almost no coffee is grown there—but the variety thrived elsewhere.

The Origins of Bourbon Coffee on Reunion Island

In 1715, around 40 coffee trees were shipped from Mocha, Yemen, to Reunion Island. Tragically, only two survived the journey. By 1719, those survivors had grown into a productive plantation, yielding the island’s first commercial coffee crop. Local authorities soon enforced aggressive cultivation policies: from the 1720s onward, all inhabitants—regardless of race—were required to plant 100 coffee trees per year. A later 1723 law mandated that enslaved people plant 200 Mocha-type coffee trees annually, with the death penalty imposed for damaging any coffee tree. At the time, the island was a French colony known as Bourbon Island, and the coffee grown there became known as 'Bourbon coffee'.

What Makes Bourbon Coffee Distinct

The coffee trees that grew on Reunion Island produced beans smaller than typical Arabica, leading to the recognition of the Bourbon variety as distinct from other Arabica types. Although 'Bourbon-type' Arabica trees are now cultivated globally and remain popular among specialty roasters, commercial coffee production on Reunion Island itself has all but ceased. The island’s unique environmental conditions and the strict cultivation legacy contributed to the development of a distinctive coffee plant lineage.

Flavor Profile and Roasting Recommendations

Bourbon coffee from Reunion Island is characteristically bold, with a well-balanced flavor profile. The suggested roast level for this variety is medium to dark, which helps accentuate its inherent qualities. While historical records rate its overall cup quality as 'good' (★★), the specific tasting notes from the original Reunion-grown Bourbon are not detailed in surviving sources. What remains clear is that the variety played a foundational role in the history of Arabica coffee cultivation.

The Disappearance of Coffee Cultivation on Reunion Island

Today, Reunion Island no longer produces coffee at any commercial scale. The strict historical mandates that once drove high planting numbers eventually gave way to the abandonment of coffee farming on the island. Despite the disappearance of local production, the genetic lineage and global influence of the Bourbon coffee variety originating on Reunion continue to impact the specialty coffee sector worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did Bourbon coffee originally come from?

Bourbon coffee originally came from Yemen, but it was first cultivated outside the Arabian Peninsula on Reunion Island (then called Bourbon Island) in the early 18th century. The first coffee trees were brought from Mocha, Yemen, in 1715, with just two of the original 40 surviving to establish the island’s coffee lineage.

Why is it called Bourbon coffee?

It’s called Bourbon coffee because it was cultivated on the island then known as Bourbon Island—a French colony in the Indian Ocean. The name stuck after the coffee variety developed there became distinct and spread globally, even though the island itself no longer grows coffee commercially.

What does Bourbon coffee taste like?

Bourbon coffee is known for a full-bodied, well-balanced flavor. Historical records note it had a 'good' cup quality (rated ★★), but surviving details are limited. The variety is generally appreciated for its bold profile, and today’s Bourbon-derived coffees often highlight fruity, floral, or caramel notes depending on growing conditions.

Is coffee still grown on Reunion Island?

No, coffee is no longer grown commercially on Reunion Island. Although it was once a significant crop under colonial rule—with mandatory planting laws—the island’s coffee production has completely ceased in modern times.

What roast level is best for Bourbon coffee?

The recommended roast level for Bourbon coffee is medium to dark. This range is said to best develop the variety’s inherent characteristics, though modern roasters may adjust based on specific farm conditions or processing methods.

What coffee variety was grown on Bourbon Island?

The coffee grown on Bourbon Island was an early strain of the Bourbon variety of Arabica coffee. It originated from Yemeni Mocha plants and developed distinct traits on the island, becoming the foundation for the Bourbon cultivar now used worldwide.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Bourbon Variety Exploration

For coffee lovers curious about the Bourbon lineage, try FrontStreet’s Brazilian Red Bourbon from Serra do Salgado. It delivers bright acidity with notes of red apple and brown sugar, showcasing classic Bourbon brightness. For a different profile, FrontStreet’s Rwanda Red Bourbon highlights citrus and floral tones with a juicy body—echoing the variety’s potential for high-altitude elegance. Both beans reflect the genetic heritage of the original Bourbon coffee that once thrived on Reunion Island. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.