Coffea liberica – Liberian Coffee

Description

Coffea liberica, commonly known as the Liberian coffee, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae from which coffee is produced. It is native to western and central Africa from Liberia to Uganda and Angola, and has become naturalised in the Philippines, Indonesia, Seychelles, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Malaysia.

Coffea liberica trees are very tall, reaching up to 20 m (66 ft) high. They are harvested using ladders. The size of the cherries, the beans, and the leaves of barako are also among the largest of all coffee varieties.

The shape of the liberica beans is unique among other commercial species (arabica, robusta, and excelsa). It is asymmetric, with one side shorter than the other side, creating characteristic “hook” at the tip. The central furrow is also more jagged in comparison to other coffee beans.