A new study from University of Florida researchers provides the first formal assessment of growing Coffea arabica in the state’s subtropical climate, with results showing both potential and significant obstacles. The research, published in the journal Crop Science, evaluated four arabica cultivars in test plots in Homestead, Florida, finding encouraging initial yields but challenges in achieving the quality metrics required for specialty coffee.
The trial involved Typica, Fronton, Limani, and Obatã cultivars, with data drawn from the 2025 harvest. The plants demonstrated strong productivity, with an average fresh cherry yield exceeding 3 kilograms per plant. Some individual plants were exceptionally productive, with one Obatã plant yielding over 6 kilograms. However, the researchers noted high variability in yield across the test plot, indicating that optimized management practices would be critical for consistent production.
While physical characteristics like bean size and acidity levels were comparable to arabica from traditional origins, the study identified a key weakness in sugar development. The coffee cherries averaged approximately 10 Brix, a measure of soluble solids, which is considerably lower than the 16 to 20 Brix range common in established specialty coffee regions. The authors suggest factors such as South Florida’s warm nights, alkaline soil, and the young age of the plants may have contributed to the low sugar content. The findings underscore the broader industry effort to explore new coffee-growing territories as climate change affects traditional producing lands.