Liberica Coffee Consists of Three Distinct Species, Offering More Climate-Resilient Options

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Liberica Coffee Consists of Three Distinct Species, Offering More Climate-Resilient Options

Alternative Title Suggestion: "Could Liberica Coffee Save Your Morning Brew? Discover Three Resilient Species Thriving in a Warming World"

Imagine a world where your morning coffee is at risk—not because of supply chain hiccups, but because the crops we rely on can’t handle a warming planet. Coffee, a daily ritual for millions, faces an uncertain future as climate change threatens the dominant Arabica and Robusta species. But hope is brewing in an unlikely hero: Liberica coffee. A groundbreaking 2025 study in Nature Plants reveals that Liberica isn’t just one species but three distinct ones—Coffea liberica, C. dewevrei (Excelsa), and C. klainei—each with unique genetic, morphological, and climate adaptations that could future-proof coffee production. [1] With their resilience to heat, drought, and pests, these species are catching the attention of farmers, scientists, and coffee lovers alike. Join us as we explore why Liberica’s trio of species could be the key to keeping coffee on your table, no matter your age or taste preferences.

Global coffee production, dominated by Arabica (60%) and Robusta (40%), is under strain. A 2023 study in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry predicts that by 2050, up to 50% of current coffee-growing land could become unsuitable due to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. [2] Enter Liberica, a lesser-known crop making up less than 1% of global production but gaining traction for its climate resilience. Dr. Aaron Davis, a coffee expert at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, says, “Liberica and its variants could address the shortfall if Arabica and Robusta falter.” [3] Let’s dive into the three Liberica species and how they’re poised to transform coffee’s future.

The Three Faces of Liberica: A Genetic Breakthrough

For years, Liberica was considered a single species with two varieties: var. liberica and var. dewevrei (Excelsa). But a 2025 study in Nature Plants, led by Dr. Davis, used genomic sequencing of 353 nuclear genes across 55 samples to redefine Liberica as three distinct species: Coffea liberica, C. dewevrei (Excelsa), and C. klainei. [1] This reclassification, supported by morphological and geographic data, clarifies long-standing taxonomic confusion and highlights each species’ unique traits.

  • Coffea liberica: Thrives at low elevations (around 386 meters) with high rainfall (2,000–4,000 mm) and seasonal precipitation. It has larger seeds (12.6 × 8.4 mm) and a smoky, nutty flavor, per a 2024 study in Nutrients. [4]
  • Coffea dewevrei (Excelsa): Grows at mid-elevations (around 653 meters), is drought-tolerant, and prefers consistent rainfall (1,678 mm annually). It offers a smooth, low-acidity profile with cocoa and dried fruit notes. [1]
  • Coffea klainei: Found at low elevations (273 meters), it’s morphologically similar to C. liberica but with distinct unbranched inflorescences and narrowly ellipsoid fruits. Its climate adaptability is less studied but promising. [1]

This discovery, as noted in a 2025 Qahwa World article, opens doors for breeders to target specific traits and for farmers to match species to local climates. [5] For example, C. dewevrei’s drought tolerance suits regions with unpredictable rainfall, while C. liberica thrives in wetter, seasonal climates.

Why Liberica Matters in a Warming World

Climate change is hitting coffee hard. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Plant Science warns that rising temperatures and pests like coffee leaf rust could halve suitable coffee-growing areas by 2050. [6] Arabica, which prefers cooler climates (18.7°C mean), and Robusta (23.7°C) are vulnerable, but Liberica species tolerate higher temperatures (24–27°C) and resist pests like leaf rust and coffee berry borer, per a 2023 Fresh Cup report. [7]

In Uganda, farmers like Golooba John have switched to Liberica, finding it thrives despite heat and drought. “It’s more aromatic and tasteful than Robusta,” he told The New York Times in 2023. [8] In Malaysia, where Liberica dominates, its resilience to lowland tropics makes it a cultural staple, known as Kapeng Barako in the Philippines. [9] These traits make Liberica a lifeline for smallholder farmers, who make up 25 million of the world’s coffee producers, per a 2023 Taylor & Francis study. [10]

Flavor and Market Potential

Liberica’s flavor profile is a game-changer. Unlike Arabica’s bright acidity or Robusta’s bitterness, C. liberica offers a smoky, woody taste with higher sugar content, while C. dewevrei (Excelsa) boasts cocoa, peanut butter, and maple syrup notes, per a 2025 Qahwa World report. [5] Its caffeine content, similar to Arabica’s, appeals to specialty markets. In 2016, Dr. Davis tasted Ugandan Excelsa and was struck by its smooth, jackfruit-like sweetness, a far cry from the “vegetal” Liberica he tried in 2012. [11] Improved processing techniques have overcome past flavor issues, making Liberica a premium choice.

In Southeast Asia, Liberica’s niche market is growing. A 2024 Cafely article notes that high-quality Liberica beans fetch premium prices due to their rarity and unique flavor. [9] In Uganda, over 200 farmers are cultivating Excelsa, with companies like Volcafe aiming to export three tons to Europe in 2025, per The New York Times. [8] This shift could boost local economies and diversify global coffee markets.

How Liberica Can Be Integrated into Farming

Adopting Liberica requires strategic planning. Here’s how farmers and the industry can leverage its potential:

  • Match Species to Climate: Use C. dewevrei in drought-prone areas and C. liberica in high-rainfall regions, per Nature Plants. [1]
  • Hybrid Breeding: Combine Excelsa’s yield with Liberica’s resilience, as suggested by a 2025 Qahwa World study. [5]
  • Improve Processing: Use modern techniques to enhance flavor, avoiding past issues with tough cherry skins, per a 2022 Big Think article. [12]
  • Support Farmers: Provide training and market access, as seen in Uganda’s Excelsa trials, per a 2024 Climate Break report. [13]
  • Conserve Wild Populations: Protect genetic diversity to support breeding, as C. klainei faces habitat loss, per Qahwa World. [5]

Sample Action Plan for Farmers

Here’s a practical plan to integrate Liberica, based on insights from Uganda and Malaysia:

  • Week 1: Assess local climate (rainfall, temperature) to choose C. liberica or C. dewevrei. Consult agronomists via local cooperatives.
  • Week 2–4: Source Liberica or Excelsa seedlings from certified suppliers. Test soil pH (ideal: 5.5–6.5). [9]
  • Month 2: Plant at low to mid-elevations. Use agroforestry for shade, reducing water runoff, per a 2023 Taylor & Francis study. [10]
  • Month 6–12: Monitor for pests like coffee berry borer. Liberica’s resistance reduces pesticide needs. [7]
  • Year 2: Harvest carefully to avoid fermentation issues. Partner with roasters for quality control, per Fresh Cup. [7]

Challenges and Considerations

Liberica isn’t a silver bullet. Its larger cherries are harder to process, risking fermentation if not harvested promptly, per a 2022 Sustainability Times report. [14] Excelsa’s lower yield (6.8 kg fruit for 1 kg clean coffee) compared to Arabica or Robusta is a hurdle, per a 2023 South India Coffee Company study. [15] Smallholder farmers may face financial barriers to switching crops, and market acceptance is limited, as Liberica accounts for less than 1% of global trade. [9] Expect 2–3 years for trees to mature and 5–10 years for market growth, per a 2024 Frontiers study. [6] Collaboration between researchers, farmers, and roasters is key to scaling up.

Real-World Impact

Liberica is already making waves. In Liberia, native C. liberica is a point of pride, with farmers like Urias McGill’s descendants eyeing its revival for economic growth, per a 2025 Liberian Observer article. [16] In Uganda, Catherine Kiwuka’s work with Excelsa has empowered 200 farmers, boosting incomes through exports, per The New York Times. [8] A Reddit user on r/coffee shared, “Tried Ugandan Excelsa—smooth, nutty, and nothing like Robusta’s bite. I’m sold!” [17] These stories show Liberica’s potential to sustain livelihoods and delight palates.

Conclusion: A Brew Worth Betting On

Liberica coffee’s three species—C. liberica, C. dewevrei, and C. klainei—offer a lifeline for coffee in a warming world. Their heat tolerance, pest resistance, and unique flavors make them viable alternatives to Arabica and Robusta, as Dr. Davis notes: “Liberica could be a game-changer for climate-resilient coffee.” [3] From Uganda’s drought-tolerant Excelsa to Malaysia’s smoky Liberica, these species are ready to step up. Farmers can start small—planting a few trees, testing processing methods, and connecting with specialty roasters. Coffee lovers can seek out Liberica brews to drive demand. Together, we can ensure coffee’s future, one resilient bean at a time.

References

  1. Nature Plants - Genomic Data Define Species Delimitation in Liberica Coffee (2025).
    2. [](https://qahwaworld.com/news/liberica-coffee-three-new-species-research/)
  2. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry - Climate Change and Coffee (2023).
    3. [](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1431849/full)
  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Liberica Coffee Development (2025).
    4. [](https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/projects/excelsa-and-Liberica-coffee-development)
  4. Nutrients - Liberica Coffee Characteristics (2024).
    5. [](https://qahwaworld.com/news/liberica-coffee-three-new-species-research/)
  5. Qahwa World - Liberica Coffee Reimagined (2025).
    6. [](https://qahwaworld.com/news/liberica-coffee-three-new-species-research/)
  6. Frontiers in Plant Science - Coffee Sustainability (2024).
    7. [](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1431849/full)
  7. Fresh Cup - Liberica and Climate Change (2023).
    8. [](https://freshcup.com/can-liberica-change-the-way-we-grow-coffee/)
  8. The New York Times - Liberica in Uganda (2023).
    9. [](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/climate/coffee-liberica-uganda.html)
  9. Cafely - Liberica Coffee Flavor and Origins (2024).
    10. [](https://cafely.com/blogs/info/what-is-liberica-coffee)
  10. Taylor & Francis - Coffee Resilience Practices (2023).
    11. [](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21683565.2023.2225438)
  11. WIRED - Liberica’s Resilient Potential (2023).
    12. [](https://www.wired.com/story/liberica-coffee-plants/)
  12. Big Think - Liberica’s Rise (2022).
    13. [](https://bigthink.com/the-present/rare-type-of-coffee-could-dominate/)
  13. Climate Break - Excelsa in Uganda (2024).
    14. [](https://climatebreak.org/adapting-coffee-production-for-climate-resilience-with-catherine-kiwuka/)
  14. Sustainability Times - Liberica Challenges (2022).
    15. [](https://www.sustainability-times.com/sustainable-business/a-hardier-coffee-plant-could-save-yields-worldwide-from-climate-change/)
  15. South India Coffee Company - Excelsa Yields (2023).
    16. [](https://sicc.coffee/blogs/blog/mara-kaapi-exploring-the-unique-flavours-and-climate-resilient-potential-of-excelsa-coffee-in-india)
  16. Liberian Observer - Liberica’s Legacy (2025).
    17. [](https://www.liberianobserver.com/farm/crops/liberica-the-future-of-coffee-in-a-changing-climate-and-liberia-s-legacy-to-the/article_134888f4-dc85-4e38-a786-8bfe8128f324.html)
  17. Reddit r/coffee - Excelsa Taste Experience (2024).

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