Coffea Liberica: A Unique and Resilient Coffee Species

Coffea liberica, commonly known as Liberian coffee, is a unique species of coffee plant native to western and central Africa, particularly Liberia. Unlike the more widely known Arabica and Robusta varieties, Liberica coffee is distinguished by its large, asymmetrical beans and its ability to grow into tall trees, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. The size of these trees makes them distinct from Arabica and Robusta plants, which are typically shorter. The larger trees of Coffea liberica can thrive in more humid, tropical environments where other species might struggle. This species is less commonly cultivated, accounting for only a small fraction of global coffee production, but its resilience to diseases, like coffee leaf rust, gives it an edge in specific climates and agricultural conditions.

The beans of Coffea liberica are notable for their distinctive teardrop shape and robust, full-bodied flavor profile. Unlike the smaller, rounder beans of Arabica and Robusta, Liberica beans are larger and have a more elongated, irregular shape. Their complex taste is often described as smoky, woody, and slightly nutty, offering a bold contrast to the more acidic and floral notes of Arabica coffee. Additionally, Liberica coffee features a distinctive floral and fruity aroma, often likened to the smell of jackfruit, a tropical fruit known for its sweet, musky scent. The unique combination of these flavors makes Liberica coffee a sought-after choice among coffee connoisseurs looking for something different from the mainstream varieties.

Historically, Liberica coffee played a significant role in the coffee industry, especially during the late 19th century when coffee rust disease devastated Arabica plantations in Southeast Asia. Liberica was introduced to regions like the Philippines and Indonesia as a resilient alternative to Arabica, saving many plantations from collapse. While its commercial dominance has since diminished, it remains a specialty coffee cherished for its rarity and distinctive taste. Today, Liberica is still grown in small quantities in parts of Asia and Africa, celebrated for its rich history and bold flavor.

In summary, Coffea liberica stands out in the coffee world for its unique characteristics, including its size, shape, flavor, and resilience. Its bold taste and historical significance make it a valuable, albeit rare, addition to the global coffee landscape, offering a distinctive alternative to the more common Arabica and Robusta varieties.
Coffea Liberica: A Unique and Resilient Coffee Species

Batangas coffee (Café Baraco)

Kapeng barako or Café Baraco or Batangas coffee has a strong smell and distinctive flavor. It’s been a cultural staple in the Philippines for over two hundred years. Introduced to the Philippines in the mid-18th century, it became reasonably popular and, briefly, was even a desirable import in the US.

Kapeng Barako is belongs to the species Coffea liberica which big cherries and unusual flavor grown in the Philippines, predominantly in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

The name barako is a Tagalog word derived from Spanish varraco, which refers to a male bulls and wild boars symbolizing power and strength.

It’s tall and can reach up to 17 meters in height. For Filipinos, barako coffee is a symbol of their country. It takes its name from the Tagalog word for a male stud bull or wild boar, reflecting the fact that it’s a strong coffee.

The main characteristic of a Kapeng Barako or liberica are its huge beans which are asymmetrical and have a strong aroma. This rare species of coffee tends to have an earthy and nutty flavor to it once brewed.
Batangas coffee (Café Baraco)

Coffea Liberica

Coffea Liberica
Coffea 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