Coffee is a beverage enjoyed by millions of people around the world. While most of us are familiar with the commonly used coffee beans like Arabica and Robusta, there is another type of coffee bean that deserves more attention - the Excelsa Coffee bean. In this blog post, we will explore what makes Excelsa coffee unique, its origin, and how it differs from other coffee beans.
THE ORIGINS OF EXCELSA
While today, excelsa is cultivated in southeast Asia (including Vietnam and the Philippines) and India, it was actually first discovered in 1903 in Central Africa, where it was also known as Coffea dewevrei or dewevreié.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBERICA & EXCELSA
We often mistake Liberica and Excelsa coffee as the same type of coffee with different names, but this is not accurate. There are several differences between them:
Difference in family: Excelsa coffee and Liberica coffee are two different species of coffee belonging to different plant families. Excelsa coffee belongs to the Rubiaceae family, while Liberica coffee belongs to the Sterculiaceae family.
Difference in scientific name: Excelsa coffee has a scientific name of Coffea excelsa, while Liberica coffee has a scientific name of Coffea liberica. This is a clear difference in the scientific classification of the two coffee species.
Therefore, from the above information, we can clearly explain that Excelsa coffee and Liberica coffee are not the same. They belong to different plant families, have different scientific names, and have different characteristics in terms of cultivation and taste."
CHARACTERISTICS OF EXCELSA COFFEE
The Excelsa coffee tree grows in regions with warm and humid climates, especially in Southeast Asia and some parts of Africa. It can reach a height of over 15 meters, making it one of the tallest coffee trees in the world. This type of coffee bean prefers well-draining soil and is typically grown at elevations between 300 and 1200 meters above sea level.
Excelsa coffee has the ability to resist some diseases that affect other coffee varieties, including rust or coffee leaf miner. This may make it an attractive crop for farmers, but the tall and bushy plants require regular pruning and can be labor-intensive.
Excelsa trees are sometimes grown in between Robusta coffee plants to act as windbreaks.
Excelsa coffee is a resilient and disease-resistant variety, although it is relatively uncommon in the global coffee market.
STRUCTURE OF EXCELSA COFFEE TREE
The Excelsa coffee tree is a woody plant that can grow over 15 meters tall. Its trunk is cylindrical in shape, straight, with a grayish-brown color and prominent veins, and has cracks running along the trunk. The branches of the tree are straight and divided into smaller branches, with leaves and flowers growing on them.
The leaves of the Excelsa coffee tree are oval-shaped, dark green in color, glossy, with clear leaf veins and sizes ranging from 10 to 20 cm in length and 5 to 10 cm in width. However, the size and shape of the leaves may vary depending on the growth conditions and genetics of the tree.
The cherry of the Excelsa coffee tree has an oval shape and is larger than the one of the Arabica and Robusta coffee trees. The cherry is red and will turn dark brown when ripe.
TASTING NOTES OF EXCELSA COFFEE
Excelsa coffee beans are renowned for their exceptional and distinctive flavor, characterized by notes of fruitiness, citric acidity, and full-bodied richness. Its taste is often described as complex, with hints of dark fruits such as cherry and grape, as well as a sweet lingering aftertaste.
CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL
Excelsa coffee faces several challenges when competing with other coffee varieties in the market. The primary challenge is the low understanding and awareness of this type of coffee, as many consumers and coffee producers lack the necessary knowledge and experience to grow, process, and roast Excelsa coffee correctly. This lack of expertise leads to improper marketing and introduction of the product.
Despite these challenges, Excelsa coffee has the potential to thrive. Its unique flavor makes it suitable for creating distinctive coffee drinks and diverse coffee products. Additionally, Excelsa coffee is a sustainable option for the coffee industry since the plant can tolerate harsh weather conditions and requires minimal use of chemical fertilizers.
By increasing awareness and improving the quality of Excelsa coffee, this coffee type can attract consumers and contribute to the sustainable growth of the coffee industry.
So, if you're a coffee enthusiast seeking a novel experience, trying Excelsa Coffee is highly recommended. It boasts a unique and distinct flavor that sets it apart from other mainstream coffee types. Despite not being cultivated as widely as Arabica and Robusta, the growing attention given to Excelsa Coffee suggests that it has the potential to gain popularity in the future.