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Arabica

Obatã

Also known as: Obatã (Sarchimor)

Quick Answer

Obatã is a rust- resistant Arabica variety developed in Brazil by crossing Villa Sarchi (a Bourbon mutation) with Hibrido de Timor (a natural Arabica - Robusta hybrid). It is a Sarchimor -type variety, known for its compact growth, high yield, and rust resistance.

Key Takeaways

Summary

Obatã is a rust- resistant Arabica variety developed in Brazil by crossing Villa Sarchi (a Bourbon mutation) with Hibrido de Timor (a natural Arabica - Robusta hybrid). It is a Sarchimor -type variety, known for its compact growth, high yield, and rust resistance.

Sources: World Coffee Research; Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC)

Obatã is a rust-resistant Arabica variety developed in Brazil by crossing Villa Sarchi (a Bourbon mutation) with Hibrido de Timor (a natural Arabica-Robusta hybrid). It is a Sarchimor-type variety, known for its compact growth, high yield, and rust resistance.

Origin

Developed by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) in Brazil. Cross of Villa Sarchi x Hibrido de Timor.

History

Obatã was developed in Brazil by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) as a Sarchimor-type variety. It is a cross between Villa Sarchi (a Bourbon dwarf mutation from Costa Rica) and Hibrido de Timor (a natural Arabica-Robusta hybrid). Obatã was developed for resistance to coffee leaf rust and was released in Brazil. It is also grown in other coffee-producing countries, including Colombia and Central America.

Discovery

Developed by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC) in Brazil.

Genetics and Lineage

Obatã is a Sarchimor-type hybrid: Villa Sarchi (Bourbon group) x Hibrido de Timor (Arabica x Robusta). It has approximately 25% Robusta genetics, which provides rust resistance.

Parent Varieties

Villa Sarchi (Bourbon mutation)Hibrido de Timor (Arabica x Robusta natural hybrid)

Hybrid Status: Obatã is an interspecific hybrid between Arabica (Villa Sarchi) and a natural Arabica-Robusta hybrid (Hibrido de Timor).

Growth Characteristics

Obatã is a dwarf tree with compact growth habit, inherited from Villa Sarchi. It is vigorous and high-yielding.

Tree Size: Dwarf (1.5 to 2.5 meters at maturity)

Yield: High. Obatã's compact size allows high-density planting.

Disease Resistance: High resistance to coffee leaf rust (the reason for its development).

Climate and Growing Conditions

Obatã thrives in Brazilian conditions at elevations of 800 to 1,400 meters.

Climate Preferences: Tropical and subtropical climate. Optimal temperatures 18 to 26 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall: 1,200 to 1,800mm annually.

Elevation Range: 800-1,400 meters

Processing Compatibility

Obatã is compatible with all processing methods. Natural (dry) processing is traditional in Brazil.

Roasting Behavior

Obatã beans are medium density and roast evenly.

Cup Profile

Obatã produces a clean, balanced cup with medium acidity, medium body, and notes of chocolate, nuts, and caramel. The cup is good but generally considered a...

Acidity

Medium, clean.

Sweetness

Moderate.

Body

Medium.

Professional Cupping Notes

Obatã lots typically score 81 to 85 points in SCA cupping.

Common Defects

  • •Cup quality can be inconsistent at lower elevations

Brewing Recommendations

Obatã works well as espresso, filtered coffee, and in blends.

Countries Where Grown

BrazilColombia (limited)

Notable Farms

Various Brazilian farms

Interesting Facts

  • •Obatã is a Sarchimor-type variety (Villa Sarchi x Hibrido de Timor), developed in Brazil.
  • •Obatã was developed for resistance to coffee leaf rust.
  • •Obatã is a dwarf variety, allowing high-density planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

  • •World Coffee Research
  • •Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC)

Related Varieties

Related Encyclopedia Entries

Sensory & Tasting

Acidity

In coffee tasting, acidity refers to the bright, vibrant, and often fruity quality that gives coffee its liveliness and structure. Unlike the negative connotation of acidity in everyday language, coffee acidity is a desirable characteristic when balanced. It is perceived as a pleasant tartness or brightness on the palate, similar to the acidity in wine or fruit.

Sensory & Tasting

Body

Body, also called mouthfeel, refers to the physical weight, texture, and viscosity of coffee as it is perceived in the mouth. It is a tactile sensation rather than a taste, ranging from thin and tea-like to thick and syrupy. Body is influenced by brewing method, coffee oils, suspended solids, roast level, and the variety and origin of the coffee.

Origins & Geography

Coffea Arabica: The Specialty Coffee Species Explained

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is a species of coffee plant native to the highland forests of Ethiopia and South Sudan. It is the most widely cultivated coffee species worldwide, accounting for approximately 60 to 70 percent of global coffee production. Arabica is prized for its complex flavor, refined acidity, and aromatic diversity, producing notes ranging from floral and citrus to chocolate and caramel depending on origin, variety, and processing.

Coffee Science

Coffee Leaf Rust

Hemileia vastatrix belongs to the order Pucciniales and is an obligate biotrophic fungus, meaning it requires living host tissue to survive. The infection cycle begins when urediniospores are deposited on the abaxial (underside) surface of the coffee leaf, typically via wind or rain splash. Germination occurs only in the presence of free water—such as dew or rainfall—within a temperature range of 15°C to 28°C. Upon germination, the fungus enters the leaf through the stomata and establishes a mycelium that colonizes the internal tissue. The visual manifestation of the disease begins as small, chlorotic spots that expand into characteristic orange, powdery pustules. These pustules contain thousands of spores capable of further infection. The physiological impact includes a rapid reduction in photosynthetic capacity and the eventual abscission of the leaf. Severe cases lead to 'dieback,' where the plant's branches wither due to carbohydrate depletion, often resulting in the death of the tree or a total loss of the following year's crop.

Coffee Science

Extraction

Extraction is the process of dissolving soluble compounds from ground coffee into water, producing the beverage we know as coffee. During extraction, water pulls acids, sugars, lipids, carbohydrates, and melanoidins from the coffee grounds in a sequence that shapes flavor, body, and aroma.

Related Book Chapters

  • •Chapter 4: Varietals & Cultivars
  • •Chapter 2: Coffee Origins
Learn more about The Complete World of Coffee →

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Editorial Standards & Trust

Keith E. Lyons

Keith E. Lyons

Author, Researcher & Coffee Educator

Keith E. Lyons is the author of The Complete World of Coffee and the publisher behind Lyons Den Publishing. A licensed trauma therapist turned specialty coffee writer, Keith blends scientific rigor with genuine passion for the craft of coffee.

Author of The Complete World of Coffee (600+ pages)Licensed trauma therapist — brings research methodology and scientific rigor to coffee writingIndependent publisher, founder of Lyons Den Publishing

Last Reviewed

July 22, 2026

Sources & References

(2)

Claims are cited to verifiable sources. Peer-reviewed research is marked.

  1. 1
    World Coffee Research
  2. 2
    Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC)

Editorial Standards

  • • Fact-checked against peer-reviewed coffee science research and industry standards.
  • • Reviewed by the author with documented sources for every factual claim.
  • • Updated regularly; the "Last Reviewed" date reflects the most recent verification.
  • • Corrections are made promptly when new research or evidence emerges.

Our editorial process prioritizes accuracy, scientific rigor, and practical relevance for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Publisher

Lyons Den Publishing · Founded 2025 · San Diego, CA

Part of: Coffee Varieties

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