Liberica Coffee Beans: What You Need to Know

Home Grounds tells you otherwise if you thought all coffee beans were either Arabica or Robusta. Liberica coffee could be your new favorite coffee bean you’ve never heard of. It’s big on flavor but limited in production, with just a couple of countries growing it.

Keep reading to discover what Liberica coffee is and what makes it so unique. 

What is Liberica coffee (coffea liberica)?

Liberica coffee is one of the four main coffee bean varieties grown for consumption out of the nearly 120 species of the coffee plant. If you’ve never heard of Liberica coffee, it’s not surprising. It accounts for less than 2% of the global coffee crop, while Arabica and Robusta combined make up the rest. 

Liberica coffee stands out as the largest of these three, growing on tall trees that can reach up to 17 meters tall. The beans are also larger, with a long, oval shape. Liberica coffee trees have a comparatively low yield, making them less attractive as a crop, though the rarity of the beans means they often fetch a higher price.

What is Kapeng Barako?

Kapeng Barako, or Barako coffee, is a Philippine coffee – a variety of Liberica coffee grown in the country. The term barako comes from the Tagalog word for “boar” or “stud bull” – a fitting label for the strong, unique flavor of Liberica beans.

The production of Barako has declined over the years as farmers replace their trees with higher-yield varieties. The younger coffee drinkers also prefer a smoother tasting coffee, leaving the strong Barako to their grandparents. In some areas, the term “barako” can now refer to any coffee served strong (1).

What is Excelsa?

Excelsa was once considered a separate species of coffee but has recently been reclassified as a variety of Liberica. There is still some debate about the classification, and you’ll often see Excelsa listed as a separate species (2). 

Excelsa grows on similarly large trees to Liberica and in the same climate, but the beans and the coffee produced are quite different. Excelsa coffee beans are smaller and rounder in shape, similar in appearance to Robusta coffee beans. When grown in favorable conditions, Excelsa can have a complex flavor profile of berry and fruits, with notes of chocolate emerging with a darker roast. 

A lack of awareness around Excelsa coffee means there is only a small market for this bean, and in many cases, farmers keep the crop for their consumption. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Excelsa coffee.

Where is Liberica coffee grown?

Liberica beans are primarily grown in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia but has its origins on the opposite side of the map of coffee-growing regions. 

It’s believed that Liberica was first introduced to the Philippines in the 1700s, but it didn’t become a key crop until the late 19th century. Coffee rust disease wiped out most of the Arabica plants in the region, but the Liberica survived. It was then introduced to Indonesia after the problems with coffee rust there. Later, Liberica made its way to Malaysia with Javanese immigrants.

Today Liberica makes up the bulk of coffee crops in Malaysia, which is too low-lying for the production of good Arabica. In the Philippines and Indonesia, Liberica is just a small percentage of coffee grown, with both countries favoring Robusta.

Related: Why coffee is called java

What do Liberica coffee taste like?

Liberica coffee beans have a unique and well-developed flavor profile that is often divisive. When grown well, it is a delightful coffee. It offers floral aromas, flavors of syrupy stone fruit, and an unusual woody aftertaste. In poor quality Liberica, this woody, smoky aspect can become more prominent and even off-putting, which has given the coffee a mixed reputation.

Fans of the coffee bean say that greater awareness is needed to prove to the coffee-drinking market that quality Liberica can be as good as any single-origin Arabica. 

Arabica vs Robusta vs Liberica 

All of the main types of coffee vary in their physical characteristics and flavor profiles and, ultimately, how you consume them. 

Arabica is the big hitter, accounting for more than 60% of all coffee grown worldwide. Arabica includes a vast range of varieties, each with its flavor profiles, but in general, it’s a sweeter, better-tasting coffee. The coffee bean itself is flat and oval and dark in color. 

Robusta beans are generally considered inferior to Arabica beans but are still grown for some of their specific characteristics. They have a higher caffeine content and a bolder taste, making them a popular addition to blends. They also grow at lower altitudes that aren’t suitable for Arabica crops. Robusta beans are round and pale. Here’s where you can learn more about Robusta coffee beans.

Liberica beans barely get a look-in on the global scale but play a vital part in the coffee culture of a few countries, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines. Outside of these countries, roasters sell it as a specialty coffee. Liberica coffee has the lowest caffeine content of the three. Liberica beans are instantly recognizable for being larger than others, with an asymmetrical teardrop shape.