Third coffee variety: Liberica

WHAT IS LIBERICA COFFEE

Liberica coffee is another type of coffee plant that is alsogrown commercially, but only on a small scale. Liberica coffee cultivation accounts for only about 1% of the world's coffee production. It is generally considered to be of lower quality and flavour potential.

The origin of Liberica coffee refers to its name. Liberica was discovered in the 18th century in Liberia. The Liberica coffee plant is characterised by its robustness. Typical is the great height - these coffee trees can grow up to 20 metres. They have large asymmetrical berries and a strong root system. They are usually grown in Malaysia and the Philippines.

A FORGOTTEN SPECIES OF COFFEE

Generally , thetaste of Liberica coffee was thought to be plain and woody. With this widespread reputation of uninteresting taste, Liberica has become anignored species ofcoffee plant. So Liberica was not even counted on for quality processing and roasting, as is customary withthird wave coffees. This begs the question, would the flavour potential of this coffee have increased with a quality approach to Liberica?

This assumption is currently being investigated by some coffee professionals such as Dr. Steffen Schwarz. When tasting different coffees at the Borneo Coffee Festival, Dr Schwarz ranked the samples according to sweetness, and Liberica was even sweeter than Arabica in this ranking.

Naturally processed Liberica impressed in this public cupping with its sweetness and unusual taste reminiscent of chorizo or jackfruit. While the washed Liberica had more traditional notes of chocolate and bergamot. Overall, it caught attentionwith more intense sweetness than any Arabica and with minimal acidity.

REVEALING THE POTENTIAL OF LIBERICA

Dr. Schwarz realised that Liberica coffee had a lot to offer in terms of flavour when he came across a few single Liberica coffee plants on coffee farms. These served as a natural pheromone trap to attract the coffee beetles so that they would not damage the Arabica crop.

Since the insects are not interested in tasting the coffee for cupping, but only care about the sweet taste of the fruit, it is therefore assumed that the Liberica will have the potential to taste good.

In addition to the interesting taste, Dr. Schwarz points out another advantage for more widespread cultivation of Liberica coffee - its massive roots that run deeper than those of other coffee trees. For these reasons ,it can also be grown in clay soil or peat. Liberica is even more resistant to adverse climatic conditions than Robusta, for example, which is generally considered the hardiest coffee tree.

SPECIFIC COFFEE PROCESSING METHODS

The semi-wild Liberica coffee trees in Borneo were first destroyed in favour of more marketable crops. Farmers were advised to cut down the remaining Libericas and plant Arabica in their place. Itwas only at the suggestion of Dr Schwarz that Malaysian coffee growersbegan to work with Liberica coffee. They tried new methods specifically designed for processing Liberica coffee, which took into account the style of fermentation and roasting to the higher sugar content of this variety.

The cultivation of quality Liberica would benefit economic growth in Malaysia and surrounding countries in particular, which have struggled in the market for fine Arabica. Liberica is an opportunity to expand the sources of quality coffee. It is also another flavour dimension that coffee has to offer.

ESPRESSO BLEND: ARABICA AND ROBUSTA LIBERICA

Liberica could be included in coffee blends, for example. Just as it is customary to mix Arabica and Robusta in an espresso blend, adding Liberica to Arabica would create a blend for a very sweet espresso with an unconventional taste.

A COFFEE BLEND WITH THE BEST OF ARABICA AND LIBERICA

Another option is to use Liberica crossed with Arabica for a tastier and stronger coffee. By grafting Arabica onto Liberica's massive root system, a robust coffee plant with enhanced sweetness could be created.