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Arabica

Parainema

Also known as: Parainema (Sarchimor)

Quick Answer

Parainema is a Sarchimor -type rust- resistant Arabica variety developed in Honduras . It is a cross between Villa Sarchi and Hibrido de Timor , selected for rust resistance, productivity, and cup quality. Parainema has won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.

Key Takeaways

  • Parainema is a Sarchimor-type rust-resistant variety developed in Honduras.
  • Parainema has won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.
  • Parainema was selected for improved cup quality compared to earlier Sarchimor varieties.
  • Parainema is also resistant to nematodes, which is important in some Honduran growing regions.
Summary

Parainema is a Sarchimor -type rust- resistant Arabica variety developed in Honduras . It is a cross between Villa Sarchi and Hibrido de Timor , selected for rust resistance, productivity, and cup quality. Parainema has won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.

Sources: World Coffee Research; Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE)

Parainema is a Sarchimor-type rust-resistant Arabica variety developed in Honduras. It is a cross between Villa Sarchi and Hibrido de Timor, selected for rust resistance, productivity, and cup quality. Parainema has won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.

Origin

Honduras. Sarchimor-type variety (Villa Sarchi x Hibrido de Timor).

History

Parainema was developed in Honduras as part of the country's coffee breeding program. It is a Sarchimor-type variety (Villa Sarchi x Hibrido de Timor), developed for resistance to coffee leaf rust. Parainema was selected for improved cup quality and has gained recognition in the specialty coffee industry, winning Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.

Discovery

Developed in Honduras.

Genetics and Lineage

Parainema is a Sarchimor-type hybrid: Villa Sarchi (Bourbon group) x Hibrido de Timor (Arabica x Robusta). It has approximately 25% Robusta genetics.

Parent Varieties

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

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

Growth Characteristics

Parainema is a dwarf tree with compact growth habit.

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

Yield: High.

Disease Resistance: High resistance to coffee leaf rust. Also resistant to nematodes.

Climate and Growing Conditions

Parainema thrives in Honduran highland conditions at elevations of 800 to 1,500 meters.

Climate Preferences: Tropical highland climate.

Rainfall: 1,500 to 2,000mm annually.

Elevation Range: 800-1,500 meters

Processing Compatibility

Parainema is excellent with all processing methods. Washed processing is traditional in Honduras.

Roasting Behavior

Parainema beans are medium density and roast evenly.

Cup Profile

Parainema produces a clean, balanced cup with bright acidity, medium body, and notes of citrus, chocolate, caramel, and sometimes floral notes. The cup quality is improved compared to earlier Sarchimor varieties.

Acidity

Bright and clean.

Sweetness

Moderate to high.

Body

Medium.

Professional Cupping Notes

Parainema lots have scored 86 to 90+ points in SCA cupping and have won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.

Common Defects

  • •Cup quality can vary at lower elevations

Brewing Recommendations

Parainema works well as pour over, espresso, and filtered coffee.

Countries Where Grown

Honduras

Notable Farms

Various farms in Honduras

Interesting Facts

  • •Parainema is a Sarchimor-type rust-resistant variety developed in Honduras.
  • •Parainema has won Cup of Excellence awards in Honduras.
  • •Parainema was selected for improved cup quality compared to earlier Sarchimor varieties.
  • •Parainema is also resistant to nematodes, which is important in some Honduran growing regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

  • •World Coffee Research
  • •Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE)

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.

Coffee Culture

Specialty Coffee

The classification process necessitates precise environment control. During the grading phase, the coffee is roasted within 24 hours of cupping and allowed to rest for at least eight hours. The roast level must fall within the light to medium range, specifically between 55 and 65 on the Agtron scale. Cupping involves a standard ratio of 8.25 grams of coffee per 150 milliliters of water, with water temperatures maintained between 92.2°C and 94.4°C (198°F to 202°F). This protocol ensures that the inherent characteristics of the bean—such as the phosphoric acidity typical of Kenyan origins or the stone fruit notes of Colombian Caturra—are evaluated without the interference of roast-induced flavors.

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
    Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE)

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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Varietals & Cultivars

Villa Sarchi Coffee Variety

Villa Sarchi is a natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon discovered in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Its compact size suits high-density planting, and its cup retains classic Bourbon character: bright acidity, sweet caramel notes, and a clean finish.

Varietals & Cultivars

Hibrido De Timor Coffee

Hibrido de Timor is a natural cross of arabica and robusta discovered on Timor Island. It inherited robusta's disease resistance and arabica's cup quality, making it the foundational parent of most modern disease-resistant varieties including Catimor, Sarchimor, and Ruiru 11.

Comparison

Arabica Vs Robusta

Coffea Arabica and Coffea Canephora (Robusta) are the two dominant botanical species of coffee cultivated globally. Arabica is a tetraploid species with 44 chromosomes grown at high altitudes, producing nuanced sugars, delicate fruit acids, and low caffeine. Robusta is a diploid species with 22 chromosomes that contains nearly double the caffeine, double the chlorogenic acids, and exceptional espresso crema density.

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.

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