Yes, mainly Liberica and Excelsa. Combined, they account for less than 1 % of global trade and are grown regionally in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Are There Other Coffee Species Besides Arabica and Robusta?

Yes, mainly Liberica and Excelsa. Combined, they account for less than 1 % of global trade and are grown regionally in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Why that matters

The genus Coffea comprises over 120 species, but the global coffee trade concentrates almost entirely on two: Arabica and Robusta. The reasons are economic — high yields, established trade structures, familiar flavour — and historical: colonisation deliberately spread Arabica and Robusta around the coffee belt.

Liberica (Coffea liberica) originates from West Africa and is the third-largest coffee species. The plant grows considerably larger than Arabica or Robusta — up to 20 metres — and produces strikingly large, asymmetric beans. The flavour is distinctive: smoky, woody, sometimes fruity, with an aroma that polarises. In the Philippines, Liberica is known as “Barako” and has its own coffee culture. It’s also grown in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Excelsa is now usually classified as a subspecies of Liberica (Coffea liberica var. dewevrei). Its flavour differs from Liberica: darker fruit, more pronounced acidity, with unusual aromas reminiscent of dried fruit. Excelsa is sometimes blended in to add complexity.

Why are these species so rare? Processing is more demanding (larger beans, different drying times), the flavour deviates significantly from the familiar Arabica profile, and trade structures are lacking. For roasters and cafés outside Southeast Asia, Liberica and Excelsa are barely available. That’s slowly changing: some specialty roasters are experimenting with Liberica lots and bringing them to the European market.

At Green Wall Coffee

At our café in Berlin-Lichtenberg, we haven’t yet had Liberica or Excelsa on the menu — availability in Europe is simply too limited. But at the counter on Sophienstraße 27, I talk about these species when guests ask about coffee’s diversity. Once you understand that over 120 Coffea species exist and we only drink two of them, you see the beverage in your cup in a whole new light.

Related Questions

• How many coffee species exist worldwide?
• What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta?
• What is a coffee variety? (Bourbon, Typica, Geisha, etc.)

More depth on this topic in the article How to Make Perfect Espresso. Or stop by at Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.