Description
The story of Parainema is a testament to the resilience and innovation of the Honduran coffee industry. For decades, Honduras was primarily known for producing commercial-grade coffee, often facing challenges with infrastructure, market access, and crop diseases. The devastating coffee leaf rust outbreak that hit Central America in 2011 was a major turning point. Many farmers lost their entire crops of traditional Arabica varieties like Catuai and Bourbon. In response to this crisis, IHCAFE intensified its research to develop new, disease-resistant varieties. Parainema was a result of this effort. It is a selection of a “Sarchimor” hybrid, which itself is a cross between the Villa Sarchi variety (an Arabica mutation) and the Timor Hybrid (across between Arabica and the hardy Robusta species). This robusta lineage gives Parainema its incredible resistance to diseases like leaf rust. What sets Parainema apart is that while many rust-resistant hybrids were developed with a primary focus on hardiness and yield, Parainema also delivered on cup quality. Farmers in regions like Santa Barbara and El Paraiso, who were desperate for a new, viable crop, began planting Parainema. They soon discovered that when grown at high altitudes with careful processing, the variety could produce a truly exceptional cup of coffee. Its success in competitions like the Cup of Excellence, where it has secured top spots, has solidified its reputation and made it a sought-after variety for roasters and coffee lovers worldwide. Its existence and success are a direct result of a collaborative effort to save the Honduran coffee industry and elevate its reputation in the specialty market.