<p>To add a bit on the Yellow Bourbon varietal 
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/R0hv6.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/R0hv6.jpg" alt="from Cafe Imports"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T23:42:58.243Z
2016-09-29T23:42:58.243Z
roasterbob 
<p>They are different varieties (at least 2 of them, red &amp; yellow)</p>

<p>The <strong>original</strong> Bourbon was the Red. Founded in the Bourbon Island (now Réunion) near by 1790 aprox at carried it by the French to Africa and America (Brazil).</p>

<p>Then, in 1930, a natural mutation of the (Red) Bourbon was found at Sao Paulo (Brazil). This one:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="http://www.casabrasilcoffees.com/learn/cultivars/" rel="nofollow">"Is thought to be either a natural hybrid of Red Bourbon and Botucatu Yellow or a natural mutation of Red Bourbon"</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>The Orange, it's just another mutation. But I'm certain that is not a <strong>ripeness</strong> matter, it's a mutation/evolution thing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-26T20:30:05.123Z
2016-09-26T20:30:05.123Z
Omar Miranda
<p>I have ended up three different Bourbon varieties as beans; yellow, orange and red. Are they the same variety, just cultivated in different times of the maturity of the coffee cherries? Or, are they three separate varieties with separate cherry color when they are mature?</p>

<bean-varieties>
What's the difference in between the red Bourbon and yellow Bourbon?
MTSan
# What's the difference in between the red Bourbon and yellow Bourbon?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-26)

I have ended up three different Bourbon varieties as beans; yellow, orange and red. Are they the same variety, just cultivated in different times of the maturity of the coffee cherries? Or, are they three separate varieties with separate cherry color when they are mature?

**Tags:** bean-varieties


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-09-26. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

They are different varieties (at least 2 of them, red & yellow)

The **original** Bourbon was the Red. Founded in the Bourbon Island (now Réunion) near by 1790 aprox at carried it by the French to Africa and America (Brazil).

Then, in 1930, a natural mutation of the (Red) Bourbon was found at Sao Paulo (Brazil). This one:

> ["Is thought to be either a natural hybrid of Red Bourbon and Botucatu Yellow or a natural mutation of Red Bourbon"](http://www.casabrasilcoffees.com/learn/cultivars/)

The Orange, it's just another mutation. But I'm certain that is not a **ripeness** matter, it's a mutation/evolution thing.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-09-29. Score: 2

To add a bit on the Yellow Bourbon varietal
[![from Cafe Imports](https://i.sstatic.net/R0hv6.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/R0hv6.jpg)


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