In short: Liberica is the third commercially grown coffee species after arabica and robusta, with around 1 per cent of world production. It comes from Liberia, its trees reach 20 metres and the large, asymmetric beans give a full-bodied, low-acidity cup with smoky, woody and jackfruit notes. Caffeine is about 1.2 to 1.4 per cent, close to arabica.
| Share of world coffee production | around 1 % |
|---|---|
| Origin | Liberia, West Africa; discovered in the 18th century |
| Tree height | up to 20 metres |
| Caffeine content | about 1.2-1.4 % of bean weight (robusta 2.2-2.7 %) |
| Main growing countries | Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia |
| Cup profile | full body, low acidity, smoky, woody and jackfruit notes |
Liberica is the third coffee species grown commercially, after arabica and robusta, and it accounts for well under two per cent of world production. It comes from West Africa, from Liberia, and its trees reach 15 to 20 metres, far taller than arabica. The beans are unmistakable: large, asymmetric and hooked at one end. In the cup it is full-bodied and low in acidity, with smoky, woody and jackfruit-like notes that divide opinion sharply. Caffeine sits around 1.2 to 1.4 per cent, close to arabica and well below robusta.
Have you heard of Liberica coffee? Unlike Arabica or Robusta coffee, Liberica coffee stays out of the coffee world. However, Liberica could gradually earn its place among the coffee trees.
Most often you will readon the coffee package that it is an Arabica or Robusta coffee. These are among the best known and most widely used types of coffee. Both Arabica and Robusta are varieties of coffee that are popular because of their distinctive characteristics that suit the requirements of commercial coffee processing.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is liberica coffee?
A separate coffee species, Coffea liberica, native to West Africa and grown mainly in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. It spread after the leaf-rust epidemic of the 1890s destroyed arabica plantations, because the species resists rust far better.
What does liberica taste like?
Full-bodied and low in acidity, with smoky and woody notes and a fruity edge often compared to jackfruit. The aroma is floral and strong, while the finish can be almost savoury. It is a polarising cup rather than a crowd-pleaser.
How much caffeine does liberica have?
Around 1.2 to 1.4 per cent of bean weight, similar to arabica and roughly half of robusta's 2.2 to 2.7 per cent. Its reputation for strength comes from the body and the smoky aroma, not from caffeine.
What is the difference between liberica and excelsa?
Excelsa was long treated as a separate species but is now classified as a variety of liberica, Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. Excelsa beans are smaller and the cup is tarter and more fruity, which is why roasters still list them separately.
Where can you buy liberica green beans?
Almost exclusively from specialist importers, usually from Philippine or Malaysian crops and in small lots. Supply is irregular because the total harvest is tiny, and the large, hard beans need a slower roast than arabica.
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