This invention relates to somaclonal variants from different varieties of coffee plants. The invention also contemplates methods for the high frequency generation of and the low frequency generation of said somaclonal variants in coffee plants, thereby providing variants with improved processing and agronomic characteristics. Among these somaclonal variants are high-yielding, low caffeine Coffea arabica cv. Laurina somaclones and a method for producing same. In particular, this invention relates to the unique application of tissue culture methodology as new methods for variety development, breeding and then the scale-up of the selected superior genotypes of coffee plants for the commercial production of coffee.