Coffea LibericaCoffea liberica is grown chiefly in Malaysia and Guyana.
Although a strong (parasite-resistant) plant, with fruits and seeds almost double the size of the favored arabica, Coffea liberica produces beans of inferior quality.
Thus, liberica beans are grown primarily for local consumption and are seldom exported – although up to decade or so ago, the coffee was appreciated by the Scandinavian countries.
Some Malays steep the leave of Coffea liberica, much as tea is brewed.
Interestingly, the leaves have even more caffeine than the beans.
It is a species characterized by vigorous growth, large, leathery leaves and heavy berries and beans.
Coffea liberica is a lowland species adapted to warm equatorial forests. It has been distributed in the lowland tropics from plants collected and distributed by Kew Gardens in London.
It is an evergreen shrub or tree that can reach 17 m, has dimorphic branching and large leathery leaves.
The large flowers are self sterile and open at irregular interval, rather than in flushes as in the other two cultivated species; it produces larger fruits than the other two species.
It is tolerant of poor soils and thrives best in hot wet conditions.
Coffea Liberica
