| Coffea liberica | |
|---|---|
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| C. liberica tree inVietnam | |
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| RoastedC. liberica beans from thePhilippines, where they are known as "kapeng barako" | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Coffea |
| Species: | C. liberica |
| Binomial name | |
| Coffea liberica | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
18 synonyms
| |
Coffea liberica, commonly known asLiberian coffee, is aspecies offlowering plant in thefamilyRubiaceae from whichcoffee is produced. It is native to western and central Africa (fromLiberia toUganda andAngola), and has become naturalised in areas includingColombia,Venezuela, thePhilippines,Borneo andJava.[2][3]
Coffea liberica trees are very tall, reaching up to 20 m (66 ft) high. They are harvested using ladders. The cherries, beans, and leaves are also among the largest of all coffee varieties.[4][5]
The shape of theliberica beans is unique among commercial species of coffee, which also includeArabica andRobusta. It is asymmetric, with one side shorter than the other, creating a characteristic "hook" at the tip. The central furrow is also more jagged in comparison to other coffee beans.[4]
Coffea liberica beans are larger than Arabica and Robusta beans, with a unique shape that resembles a teardrop. They also have a distinct aroma, with a floral and fruity scent that is often described as similar tojackfruit.[6]
The flavor profile ofCoffea liberica is also unique, with a bold and full-bodied taste that is often described as smoky, woody, and slightly nutty.[6]
Coffea liberica accounts for less than 1.5% of commercial coffee grown. It was first commercially cultivated in thePhilippines, after it was brought to the city ofLipa in the 1740s by Spanish friars.C. liberica was the main coffee species grown in the islands during the colonial period. They were exported to Western countries where they would command prices of up to five times the prices of coffee beans from other species. During the worldwide pandemic ofcoffee rust in the late 19th century,C. liberica plantations in the Philippines survived longer thanArabica andRobusta plantations. But they too eventually succumbed to the disease, leading to the collapse of the coffee industry in the islands.C. liberica is locally known askapeng barako (Spanish:café verraco). It is still highly regarded and grown widely in the Philippines, though largely only for the local market. Today,Batangas and the neighboring province ofCavite are the main producers of the Philippine varietal ofliberica.[7][8]
At the end of the 19th century,C. liberica was also brought toIndonesia to replace theArabica trees killed by thecoffee rust disease. It is still found in parts of Central and EastJava andWest Kalimantan today.Liberica is also cultivated inMalaysia. It is generally grown in Malaysia's Coffee Belt on the west coast ofJohor largely due to Javanese immigration to Malaysia in the 19th century. A rare and one-of-a-kindcultivar ofliberica can be found in a secluded area of theAmazon rainforest ofGuyana.
By the late 19th century, exports of coffee from Liberia increased substantially.[9] Demand for Liberian coffee in the United States increased after it was showcased at theCentennial Exposition in 1876.[9]
Liberica coffee beans are much larger than the more popularArabica andRobusta beans.[10] Due to its rarity and limited supply on a global level, the cost of regularliberica beans is on the higher end, with premiumliberica beans carrying a heavier price tag. The caffeine concentration ofliberica beans is the lowest of the three cultivars, with 1.23 g/100 g, whereArabica has 1.61 g/100 g and Robusta has 2.26 g/100 g.[11]
Coffea dewevrei,Coffea dybowskii andCoffea excelsa were formerly considered as separate species but were reclassified in 2006 as synonyms forCoffea liberica var.dewevrei.[12] However, recent genomic data analyses supports the division ofC. liberica into the aforementioned three species.[13]
