Some coffee plants produce pink flowers due to genetic variations and spontaneous gene mutations. Coffee flowers are typically white, but certain species and varieties can bear pink flowers.
The pink flowers can be the result of inherent genetic variations in certain coffee species and varieties, such as Coffea racemosa and Aramosa. These variations can affect the number of petals and stamens, as well as the shape of the corolla tube.
In the case of the spontaneous gene mutation known as “purpurascens,” coffee plants exhibit purplish characteristics in their leaves, stems, and stipules, in addition to pink flowers. When this mutation is consistently passed down to future generations, producers may classify and treat them as separate varieties or cultivars.
The purpurascens mutation occurs in various Coffea species, including arabica, robusta, liberica, and racemosa. It is a genetic mutation in the chromosome DNA sequence of coffee plants, affecting the expression of the pink flower color.
Coffee plants with the purpurascens mutation may have lower yields but are equally susceptible to pests and diseases as non-affected coffee plants.
Producers and researchers have reported instances of coffee plants producing pink flowers in different regions. These plants are known by various names, such as “orange coffee” in former English colonies, “Koppi wengue” in Indonesia, and “purple coffee” or “café carangola” in Brazil.
One variety that typically produces pink flowers is the Aramosa variety, which is a natural hybrid of arabica and racemosa species. Aramosa plants have purplish red fruits when ripe, and their flowers are rose pink in color.
Overall, the occurrence of pink flowers in coffee plants is a result of genetic variations and mutations, adding to the diverse range of characteristics found in coffee species and varieties.
