What is the Arabigo coffee varietal?

Arabigo is the name used in Latin America - particularly Mexico and parts of Central America - for the Typica cultivar of Coffea arabica. The name is Spanish for "Arab" or "Arabian," reflecting the perceived origins of the plant material via the Arabian Peninsula.

Arabigo/Typica plants are tall, relatively low-yielding, with large elongated beans and a conical tree structure. They're susceptible to leaf rust and other diseases, but associated with excellent cup quality - clean, sweet, and well-structured - which explains why they continue to be cultivated in some specialty-focused regions despite their agronomic limitations.

In Mexico, Arabigo may refer to specific local selections within the broader Typica family. In most other contexts, Typica is the internationally recognised name for the same genetic material. If you see Arabigo on a Mexican specification, think Typica.