Many coffee lovers around the world have been searching for a great-tasting coffee that has lower caffeine content. While decaf is an always option, it doesn’t always tickle the taste buds of coffee lovers. This can be hard on those seeking less caffeine in their lives. For those who need to limit how much caffeine they consume or have sensitivities to this natural stimulant, we present you, Laurina coffee.
What is Laurina coffee you might ask? Laurina is an Arabica coffee that naturally has less caffeine than its counterparts. What is truly surprising about this coffee is that it does this without undergoing the decaffeination process. It has low acidity, is light-bodied, and has far less caffeine than a normal cup of coffee. This is why so many people are curious about this new coffee bean. Let’s take a deeper look into Laurina coffee and learn more about this prize nature has offered us.
The Origins of Laurina Coffee
Laurina is also known as Bourbon Pointu coffee. The name Bourbon Pointu comes from the pointed shape of the coffee bean. While originally discovered in the 1800s, this coffee went through many ups and downs, along with name changes. In 1942 the last recorded shipment of this coffee was recorded as being sent to France. It was a small load of cargo. After this final shipment, most of the Bourbon Pointu plants were thought to be wiped out. Luckily for coffee lovers, it wasn’t.
The rebirth of Bourbon Pointu or Laurina coffee comes to us thanks to Yoshiaki Kawashima. At the young age of 18, Yoshiaki found himself fascinated with rare coffees. Being the son of a Japanese coffee roaster, this was to be expected—especially after he studied at the National Coffee Research Institute in El Salvador.
During his years in the coffee industry, Yoshiaki constantly searched for the Bourbon Pointu coffee plan. As a lover of rare coffees, the idea of rediscovering this forgotten plant powered his search. Finding himself in Reunion, the original birthplace of Bourbon Pointu, he began asking locals about this amazing coffee. Unfortunately, the island had moved on from its years of coffee-growing glory and most locals had no idea what he was talking about. It wasn’t until a veterinarian contacted him that Yashiaki’s quest found new hope.
Two years after he arrived in Reunion, 30 Bourbon Pointu plants were discovered by a local veterinarian. Shortly after this discovery, even more of the fabled plants were found in the Creole Gardens. This allowed Yashiaki the opportunity to embark on his next mission, the re-cultivation of Laurina coffee. During this time, only the best lines of the plants were harvested resulting in 27 lines.
The Taste of Laurina Coffee
Arabica coffees are naturally lower in caffeine than the Robusta variety. This automatically makes them sweeter and less bitter. When it comes to Laurina coffee, and its even lower caffeine content, the sweet tastes cannot be denied.
Laurina is low in acid and unlike most coffees, has no bitterness. This coffee has a slightly floral aroma and offers drinkers a light taste with fruity hints. Plum, papaya, peach, and honey are a few of the flavors associated with drinking Laurina coffee. This is why those who have sampled this coffee love not only the lower caffeine content but the extremely pleasant taste.
Laurina vs Decaf
There are two major differences between Laurina coffee and decaf varieties, taste and processing. Most decaf coffees lose flavor when going through the decaffeination process. This is why those who drink this blend commonly notice the loss of aroma in the bean. Opening a fresh bag of decaf doesn’t offer the same feeling of excitement as that of a regular roast.
When coffee beans go through the decaffeination process they often lose their flavor and aroma. This is why many roasters refuse to offer a decaffeinated version of their coffees. With Laurina coffee, no processes are required to lower the caffeine content. Laurina’s lower caffeine content occurs naturally but won’t be replacing decaf coffee anytime soon. With it being so hard to find these beans, most people will continue using decaf coffee as their way of avoiding caffeine in their cups.
Where to Find Laurina Coffee
Unfortunately, this task isn’t easy. While there are a few places that offer Laurina coffee, with the growth of this coffee requiring such a slow process, the beans aren’t widely available. Most of the roasters who offer this delectable coffee aren’t located within the United States. While Laurina is becoming more available, for now, Has Bean, Notes, and The Barn are the only roasters offering it for purchase.
Final Thoughts
If you need less caffeine in your morning cup of coffee or simply want to try something new, Laurina coffee is the answer. With the re-emergence of this coffee still taking place, keep your eyes open. Eventually, you’ll find it on your shelves or available from your favorite roasters.
Featured Image Credit: Anastasia Eremina, Unsplash
