A study published in Crop Science offers the first assessment of the agronomic performance of Coffea arabica under southern US conditions. The research was carried out at the University of Florida's Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, about 50 kilometres south of Miami, and was funded by Duolingo co-founder Severin Hacker.
The 48 test plants — covering the Typica, Fronton, Limani and Obatã varieties — were transplanted in 2023 and produced their first measured harvest in 2025. Average yield topped 3 kilograms of fresh cherry per plant, with some plants passing 5 to 6 kilograms. Bean size and acidity matched international arabica standards, though sugar development was weaker, blamed on warm nights and rocky alkaline soils.
The authors see farm-to-table and agrotourism as the most realistic near-term models rather than volume production. The story is not about tea, but it is a fresh reminder of how much climate and soil shape what ends up in the cup.
Source: Daily Coffee News