Investigations on coffee cupping quality of the species C. canephora, C. congensis and several populations derived from interespecific crosses (C. canephora dp x C. arabica, C. canephora x C. eugenioides, C. arabica x C. dewevrei dp and C. racemosa x C. arabica) were undertaken in two trials, in order to guide breeding programs using this germoplasm. Two grading systems were used for classification of the cupping quality, the normal six points scale used for C. arabica samples and a new one with 10 points, 1 for the lowest and 10 for the highest quality. Coffee liquorer experts graded the overall cupping quality and added remarks to any unpleasant taste noticed in the samples. The analysis of the data pointed out that both scales were not adequate for a complete characterization and discrimination of the individual samples. When coffee samples ware grouped according to the species involved in the crosses, the results indicated the superiority of the C. arabica x C, dewevrei dp and C. canephora dp x C. arabica groups in the first trial. In the second trial the C. racemosa x C. arabica group revealed the best average cupping quality, statistically superior to C. canephora and C. congensis. Most of the non-commercial coffees displayed unique tastes and were characterized in 13 unpleasant types. Due to the inherent diversity of the analysed material the liquorer experts had difficulty in classifying the several abnormal tastes influencing the classification of the mild standard sample. The results indicated the necessity of more accurate studies of the beverage produced by these species mainly when they participate in the breeding of Arabica coffee.
Coffea spp.; interspecific hybrids; coffee cupping quality