In Madrid, scientists have sequenced the highest-quality reference genome of Arabica coffee, the world’s most popular variety. This genome provides insights into its lineage and evolution, dating back thousands of years and spanning multiple continents. A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that Arabica coffee was developed over 600,000 years ago in the forests of Ethiopia through natural crossing between two other coffee species.
Arabica coffee has a rich history that has influenced periods of Earth’s warming and cooling. It was cultivated in Ethiopia and Yemen before spreading around the world. This crop is essential for major coffee chains like Starbucks and Tim Hortons. However, due to low genetic diversity and susceptibility to pests and diseases, Arabica coffee can only be grown in specific regions with favorable conditions.
The study used cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to sequence 39 varieties of Arabica, including an 18th-century specimen named by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. The researchers created the most advanced Arabica reference genome to date, which is now available in a public database. Understanding the origins and breeding history of Arabica coffee is crucial for developing new cultivars that are better adapted to climate change.
Scientists have determined that Arabica coffee was formed as a natural hybridization between Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides, indicating that this event predates modern humans and coffee cultivation. The geographic divide of wild and cultivated Arabica varieties suggests that coffee cultivation may have originated in Yemen around the 15th century.
The diversity of Yemeni coffee varieties may be the foundation of all modern Arabica varieties. Coffee cultivation has not involved extensive crossbreeding, unlike other crops like corn or wheat. Modern coffee varieties likely date back to ancient times, chosen for their taste and grown for generations. This research sheds light on the long history and evolutionary path of Arabica coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed around the world.
In conclusion, understanding the origins and breeding history of Arabica coffee is crucial for developing new cultivars that are better adapted to climate change