Introduction:As an extremely rare variety among naturally low-caffeine coffees, Bourbon Pointu not only contains approximately 0.6% caffeine but also stands out with its delicate and balanced flavor, winning favor among coffee enthusiasts. A well-known coffee brand introduced a version from the Las Nubes Estate in Colombia, grown in the high-altitude regions of the Yacuqui Valley. This coffee is personally overseen by Camilo Merizalde, the estate owner who has supplied championship beans to multiple WBC winners, and its annual production is extremely limited. This article will help you deeply understand the charm of this rare coffee bean—from its origin background, processing and roasting techniques, suitable brewing methods, to its complete flavor profile—and master pour over brewing techniques.
Bourbon Pointu, also known as Laurina, is an exceptionally rare and naturally low-caffeine variety of Arabica. Its caffeine content is only about 0.6%, roughly one quarter to one third that of regular coffee, making it a standout among naturally low-caffeine coffees. Despite its low caffeine level, its flavor performance is by no means inferior—in fact, it exhibits traits of balance, delicacy, and elegance. The Colombian Las Nubes Estate Bourbon Pointu launched by a certain brand is an outstanding representative of this rare variety.
These coffee beans come from the Yacuqui Valley (Valle de Cauca) in southern Colombia, at altitudes of 1900 to 2000 meters. This is a high-altitude cultivation area with cool climate and large day-night temperature differences, making it highly suitable for growing specialty coffee. The estate is managed by renowned coffee farmer Camilo Merizalde, who has multiple times supplied championship beans for the World Barista Championship (WBC). His technical skills and quality control capabilities are widely recognized. The Las Nubes Estate began planting this variety in 2014 and is committed to refined management, allowing this coffee to reach its full potential in the high-altitude environment.
In terms of processing, this Bourbon Pointu uses the washed method, supplemented by elevated fermentation. This technique helps preserve delicate fruitiness and bright acidity while reducing the risk of over-fermentation, resulting in a cleaner and more balanced final flavor. For roasting, it is recommended to use a City+ medium-light roast level, which can fully showcase its floral and fruity tones as well as honey-like sweetness without masking its delicate aromatic layers due to over-roasting.
Regarding suitable brewing methods, these coffee beans are very well-suited for pour over, siphon, or French press. For pour over, it is recommended to control the water temperature between 87 and 90°C. This helps balance acidity, sweetness, and body while avoiding over-extraction or under-extraction. For beginners, pour over not only allows a more intuitive experience of its flavor evolution but also enables parameter adjustments according to personal taste, making it an ideal way to experience the charm of Bourbon Pointu.
In terms of flavor profile, this coffee begins with captivating dry aroma showcasing black chocolate, caramel, and nutty notes, reminiscent of the classic Latin American flavor profile. Once brewed, the wet aroma transitions to soft chocolate and cashew notes. On the palate, there is a rich floral-fruity aroma with a honey-like sweetness, and the overall mouthfeel is very balanced, with no prominent or jarring acidity or bitterness. As for acidity, it only carries a faint and understated citrus note, hidden within the aftertaste, without being overly dominant.
As for Body (mouthfeel), this Bourbon Pointu offers a smooth, bright, and clear drinking experience. It is not only light on the palate but also retains a rich layering. Many coffee lovers even compare it to Blue Mountain coffee. Although their styles are quite different, they do share similar resonances in terms of delicacy, restraint, and elegance. Whether in terms of aroma, mouthfeel, body, or aftertaste, this coffee presents a sense of “just right” harmony, making it very suitable for drinkers who prefer low-stimulation, delicate flavors.
It’s worth mentioning that the Bourbon Pointu variety was once widely planted on Réunion Island (formerly known as Bourbon Island) in the late 19th century. However, due to its low yield and relatively weak disease resistance, it was gradually replaced by commercial varieties and even disappeared for nearly half a century. It has only been replanted in recent years in its place of origin and a few emerging producing regions, one of which is the Las Nubes Estate in Colombia. Nevertheless, due to its high cultivation difficulty and extremely limited production, the global annual output is only a few tons, making it relatively expensive—especially the original Pointu Bourbon from La Réunion, where the price can be as high as over 500 yuan per 100 grams.
In summary, the Colombian Las Nubes Estate Bourbon Pointu from a certain brand is a pour over coffee bean with great value for collection and appreciation. It not only possesses the rare characteristic of being naturally low in caffeine but also exhibits a delicate, balanced, and elegant flavor profile. If you are a pour over coffee enthusiast or wish to explore the diverse possibilities of low-caffeine coffee, this high-altitude Yacuqui Valley-grown Pointu Bourbon is definitely worth a try.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
