Excelsa Coffee

Also known as: Excelsa · Kapeng Makapal (local Tagalog term) · Coffea liberica var. dewevrei

Definition

Excelsa Coffee refers to coffee made from the beans of the plant Coffea liberica var. dewevrei (formerly classified as a distinct species, Coffea excelsa). In the Philippines, Excelsa is a commercially grown variety, representing about 6% to 8% of national production. Primarily grown in the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, and parts of Mindanao, the variety is highly valued for its extreme drought resistance and unique sensory profile, which features a tart, fruity, and dark, complex flavor that is widely used to add depth to premium coffee blends. (Wikipedia, Philcoffeeboard)

Identities

Source Type	Identity
Wikipedia	Excelsa coffee
Wikidata	N/A
DBpedia	N/A
ProductOntology	N/A
Wiktionary	coffee
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)	Coffee — Varieties — Philippines
MeSH	N/A
NCBI Taxonomy	N/A
AGROVOC	N/A
Google Scholar	Excelsa coffee Coffea liberica var dewevrei crop Cavite Philippines
ConceptNet	coffee
OpenCyc	N/A

Also Known As

Excelsa
Kapeng Makapal (local Tagalog term)
Coffea liberica var. dewevrei

Examples and Analogies

Blending Accent: A coffee roaster adds 10% Excelsa to a light Arabica blend to introduce a complex, tart, berry-like acidity.
Drought-Resistant Crop: A farmer in a dry upland region of Cavite plants Excelsa trees due to their ability to survive long dry seasons without irrigation.

Usage Scenarios

1. Harvesting Excelsa Cherries

A farmer picks teardrop-shaped Excelsa cherries from tall trees, noting their distinct yellow-red coloration at full maturity.

2. Blending Local Varieties

A Batangas coffee shop owner crafts a ‘House Blend’ combining 50% Robusta for body, 30% Liberica for aroma, and 20% Excelsa for tartness.

Strategies

Utilize Excelsa in medium-to-dark roast blends to enhance the mid-palate complexity and provide a lingering dark-fruit finish.
Plant Excelsa trees as natural windbreaks around delicate Arabica plots, as Excelsa trees are large, sturdy, and highly wind-resistant.
Prune Excelsa trees regularly to keep their height below 4 meters, making manual harvesting safer and more efficient.

Security and Safety Measures

Verify that the soil has good drainage, as although Excelsa is highly drought-tolerant, stagnant water around roots can trigger root rot.
Ensure that any seedlings are sourced from certified plant nurseries to guarantee true dewevrei variety genetics.

Historical Context

Excelsa coffee was first discovered in West Africa in 1903 and was introduced to the Philippines during the American colonial period as a promising commercial crop. Botanists reclassified it in 2006 as a variety of Coffea liberica due to genetic similarities, although it exhibits different tree shapes and smaller, teardrop-shaped beans. In the Philippines, it has long been integrated into traditional farming systems in Cavite and Batangas, serving as a reliable insurance crop during drought years. (Wikipedia, Philcoffeeboard)

Challenges and Controversies

Uneven Ripening Cycles

Excelsa cherries on the same branch ripen at different times, requiring farmers to make multiple passes to hand-pick only ripe cherries, raising labor costs.

Lack of Consumer Awareness

Excelsa is rarely marketed as a single-origin specialty product, remaining hidden as an anonymous filler in commercial supermarket blends.