Excelsa Coffee: The Unique and Resilient Gem of the Coffee World
worldreview1989 -Often overshadowed by its more famous siblings, Arabica and Robusta, Excelsa coffee is a captivating variety that is increasingly capturing the attention of coffee connoisseurs and specialty roasters alike. Botanically classified as Coffea liberica var. dewevrei (and formerly its own species, Coffea excelsa), this rare bean offers a unique profile and a resilience that makes it a vital, albeit minor, player in the future of coffee production.
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| Excelsa Coffee: The Unique and Resilient Gem of the Coffee World |
From its complex and exotic flavour profile to its robust growth characteristics, Excelsa is a true hidden gem. This article delves into the primary advantages of Excelsa coffee and explores several fascinating facts that set it apart.
The Distinct Advantages of Excelsa Coffee
Excelsa's rising popularity is not merely due to its novelty; it possesses several key advantages that benefit both the consumer and the coffee farmer.
1. A Complex and Intriguing Flavour Profile
The most significant draw of Excelsa coffee is its remarkably complex and multi-dimensional flavour. It offers a profile that is distinctly different from the mild sweetness of Arabica or the boldness of Robusta, making it a unique experience for the palate.
Fruity and Tart Notes: Excelsa is often characterized by a prominent fruity spectrum, sometimes reminiscent of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, or dark fruits such as plum and cherry. This is often accompanied by a distinct, bright, and slightly tart or astringent quality, which adds a lively touch to the cup.
Earthy and Smoky Depth: Underlying the fruity notes are rich, earthy, and sometimes smoky or woody undertones. This unique combination provides a full-bodied, almost dark-roast depth that satisfies drinkers who prefer a strong flavour, without the overwhelming bitterness of pure Robusta.
A "Blender's Best Friend": Its bold flavour and unique balance of bitter, sweet, and sour notes make Excelsa an excellent component in coffee blends. A small amount of Excelsa can add significant body, richness, and aromatic complexity to a blend, making the taste more "complete" and ensuring a satisfying mouthfeel.
2. Superior Resilience and Hardiness
In an era of increasing climate uncertainty, Excelsa's resilience is a tremendous advantage for the agricultural sector.
Disease Resistance: Excelsa trees exhibit a high degree of natural resistance to several common and devastating coffee diseases and pests, including coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix). This hardiness reduces the need for extensive chemical treatments and offers more stable yields for farmers.
Adaptability to Harsh Conditions: Unlike the delicate Arabica, Excelsa thrives in a wider range of conditions. It is known to tolerate warmer climates, low-to-medium altitudes (around 300 to 1,200 meters above sea level), and even challenging growing conditions like peat soils and regions with less consistent rainfall. This characteristic is becoming increasingly important as global warming pushes Arabica-growing regions to higher, diminishing altitudes.
3. Contribution to Flavour Diversity
The vast majority of the world’s coffee production comes from just two species. Excelsa offers a third, distinct option, promoting biodiversity and giving consumers greater choice. By supporting the cultivation of Excelsa, the coffee industry becomes less vulnerable to monoculture-related risks and enriches the global coffee landscape.
4. Moderate Caffeine Content
Excelsa typically has a moderate caffeine level, falling in between Arabica and Robusta. Its caffeine content is generally lower than Robusta but can sometimes be slightly lower than or similar to Arabica, depending on the specific bean and growing conditions. This level provides a noticeable energy boost without the high intensity or potential jitters associated with high-caffeine varieties like Robusta.
Interesting Facts About Excelsa Coffee
Beyond its advantages, Excelsa is a coffee variety steeped in fascinating history and unique botanical characteristics.
Fact 1: A Botanical Identity Crisis
Excelsa was originally discovered in Central Africa near Lake Chad in 1903 and was initially classified as its own distinct species: Coffea excelsa. However, due to its physical and genetic similarities, a 2006 reclassification moved it under the Liberica species umbrella, where it is now officially known as Coffea liberica var. dewevrei. This makes it a close relative of Liberica, sharing a general family but maintaining its own unique traits.
Fact 2: The Giant of the Coffee World
Excelsa is an arboreal, or tree-like, plant, differentiating it from the more shrub-like Arabica and Robusta plants. The Excelsa tree can reach impressive heights, often growing over 15 to 20 meters (50 to 65 feet) tall. This massive size is a double-edged sword: while it signals the plant's robustness, it also makes harvesting and pruning significantly more labor-intensive and costly for farmers compared to shorter, bushier varieties.
Fact 3: The Rare Global Contributor
Despite its hardiness and appealing flavour profile, Excelsa is a very small contributor to the world's total coffee production, accounting for only about 1% of the global market. Its limited supply and unique taste have placed it firmly in the niche market of specialty coffee, making it a sought-after commodity among coffee enthusiasts looking for something truly different.
Fact 4: Predominantly Grown in Southeast Asia
While its origin lies in Central Africa, Excelsa is primarily cultivated today in Southeast Asian countries, with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia being key producers. The warm, humid climates and medium altitudes in these regions provide ideal conditions for the resilient Excelsa tree to thrive. In the Philippines, particularly, it is a treasured local variety.
Fact 5: Long and Challenging Maturation Period
The Excelsa cherry has a particularly long maturation period, taking approximately 12 to 14 months to ripen fully. This extended time frame complicates farming operations and harvest timing, requiring careful management and contributing to the higher cost and relative scarcity of the final product. Furthermore, the beans themselves are often described as large and asymmetrical, requiring specialized roasting profiles that differ significantly from those used for Arabica or Robusta to unlock their best flavours.
Conclusion
Excelsa coffee is more than just a novelty; it is a flavor adventure and a beacon of agricultural resilience. Its complex blend of fruity tartness, deep earthiness, and satisfying body offers a unique counterpoint to the more common coffee varieties. For those willing to venture beyond the mainstream, Excelsa provides a rich, multi-layered experience that is both bold and beautifully balanced. As climate challenges persist, the hardiness and distinct character of Excelsa ensure its continued, and perhaps growing, relevance in the diverse and evolving world of coffee.