Coffea liberica, commonly known as the Liberian coffee, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae from which coffee is produced. It is native to western and central Africa (from Liberia to Uganda and Angola), and has become naturalised in areas including Colombia, Venezuela, the Philippines, Borneo and Java.[3][4]
| Coffea liberica | |
|---|---|
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| C. liberica tree in Vietnam | |
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| Roasted C. liberica beans from the Philippines, 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
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| Binomial name | |
| Coffea liberica | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editCoffea liberica trees are very tall, reaching up to 20 m (66 ft) high. They are harvested using ladders. The size of the cherries, the beans, and the leaves of barako are also among the largest of all coffee varieties.[5][6]
The shape of the liberica beans is unique among other commercial species (arabica, robusta) and varieties (liberica var. dewevrei). It is asymmetric, with one side shorter than the other side, creating characteristic "hook" at the tip. The central furrow is also more jagged in comparison to other coffee beans.[5]
Characteristics
editCoffee 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 to jackfruit.[7]
The flavor profile of Coffee liberica is also unique, with a bold and full-bodied taste that is often described as smoky, woody, and slightly nutty.[7]
Cultivation and use
editCoffea liberica accounts for less than 1.5% of commercial coffee grown. It was first commercially cultivated in the Philippines, after it was brought to the city of Lipa 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 of coffee rust in the late 19th century, C. liberica plantations in the Philippines survived longer than arabica and robusta 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 as kapeng 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 of Cavite are the main producers of the Philippine varietal of liberica.[8][9]
At the end of the 19th century, C. liberica was also brought to Indonesia to replace the arabica trees killed by the coffee rust disease. It is still found in parts of Central and East Java and West Kalimantan today. Liberica is also cultivated in Malaysia. It is generally grown in Malaysia's Coffee Belt on the west coast of Johor largely due to Javanese immigration to Malaysia in the 19th century. A rare and one-of-a-kind cultivar of liberica can be found in a secluded area of the Amazon Rainforest of Guyana.
Liberica coffee beans are much larger than the more popular arabica and robusta beans.[10] Due to its rarity and limited supply on a global level, the cost of regular liberica beans is on the higher end, with premium liberica beans carrying a heavier price tag. The caffeine concentration of liberica beans is the lowest of the three cultivars, with 1.23 g/100 g, where arabica has 1.61 g/100 g and Robusta has 2.26 g/100 g.[11]
Taxonomy
editCoffea dewevrei, Coffea dybowskii and Coffea excelsa were formerly considered as separate species but were reclassified in 2006 as synonyms for Coffea liberica var. dewevrei.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Chadburn, H.; Davis, A.P. (2017). "Coffea liberica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T18537594A18539526. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T18537594A18539526.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Davis, AP; Govaert R; Bridson DM; Stoffelen P (December 2006). "An annotated taxonomic conspectus of the genus Coffea (Rubiaceae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 152 (4): 465–512. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00584.x.
- ^ "Coffea liberica". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "Coffees of Malaysia". espressocoffeeguide.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ a b Gibson, Mark (2018). Food Science and the Culinary Arts. Academic Press. p. 369. ISBN 9780128118177.
- ^ "Kapeng Barako: Can This Filipino Coffee Varietal Be Third Wave?". Perfect Daily Grind. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Exploring the Unique Flavors of Coffee Liberica". Sip Scribe. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Our Coffee Heritage: Coffee's Rich History in the Philippines". Philippine Coffee. Philippine Coffee Board. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ Gutierrez, Tuesday, Save the Barako Coffee, OhmyNews, archived from the original on 4 March 2007, retrieved 25 January 2007
- ^ Hutson, Caitlyn (10 September 2017). "A Definitive Guide to the 4 Main Types of Coffee Beans". Atlas Coffee Culture.
- ^ Ling, Liew Siew; Daud, Nik Ismail Nik; Hassan, Osman (2001). "Determination of Coffee Content in Coffee Mixtures" (PDF). Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences. 7 (2): 327–332.
External links
edit
- Coffea liberica, United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization website
- Heighton-Ginns, Laura (12 April 2023). "The bean that could change the taste of coffee". BBC News. Retrieved 14 April 2023.