Exploring arabica's past and present could help give information about how to keep coffee plants healthy – ensuring morning cups of coffee into the future.
Today, these genetic similarities mean arabica coffee plants are more likely to be hurt by diseases like coffee leaf rust, which causes costly losses every year.
But it's strong bitter flavor and high caffeine content, almost twice that of arabica, means it's better turned into instant coffee, a process which weakens its flavor and potency.