Nestled in tropical forests, a gigantic coffee tree species bears unique fruits yielding a coffee cup with notes of banana, peanut, jackfruit amidst a sweet cream mouthfeel. Meet liberica... Earth's third most productive coffee species (after arabica and canephora).
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Liberica coffee is characterized by its large, almond-shaped beans, sweetness, fruity notes & creamy mouthfeel.Â
Liberica is a hearty tree -- resistant to many pests & coffee rust, able to thrive in different soils, cultivated in lower altitudes & at higher temperatures.Â
Cherries have a thick pulp/mucilage layer and higher sugar content, yielding natural sweetness. Complex amino acid composition produces unique flavor & aroma compounds. Higher fat content yields creamy mouthfeel.
24% less caffeine concentration than arabica (1.23g vs. 1.61g caffeine/100g coffee )
Beans may have yellowish brown to lemon yellow to light green coloration.Â
FUN FACTS
Did you know there are 125+ coffee species? Arabica, canephora & liberica are three of them.
Liberica has more antioxidants than arabica or robusta.
Liberica accounts for 2% of global coffee production.
Liberica production is in decline. However there is a growing effort to save the species in the Philippines and with roasters & consumers abroad.Â
Liberica trees take 5 years to mature & bear fruit, longer than arabica or robusta. Liberica trees yield â…“ of the fruit, compared to harvest of arabica trees. These factors contribute to its high production cost.
Liberica trees grow to 60 feet tall! These trees require special tools for pruning & harvesting. They also require more space for planting than other coffee trees.
While Liberica was first discovered in West Africa, Philippines is now the leading producer accounting for 70% of global Liberica production.
Experience Liberica coffee yourself! Roast your own or brew our roasted Liberica "barako" beans, now available in Light or Dark roasts.