Excelsa Coffee: A Unique & Resilient Bean for the Bold Coffee Lover

Excelsa coffee is one of the four main species of coffee cultivated for drinking, alongside Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. For decades, Coffea excelsa was classified as a separate species. However, contemporary botanical taxonomy has reclassified it as a variety of Coffea liberica.

Despite this scientific re-categorization, the name “Excelsa” remains prevalent within the coffee industry to describe beans with a distinct and recognizable profile. This coffee variety contributes a relatively small percentage to the global coffee production, making it a unique and often sought-after component in coffee blends, though it is also available as a single-origin offering.

This pillar article provides a comprehensive, factual overview of Excelsa coffee, detailing its botanical background, physical characteristics, sensory profile, cultivation requirements, and its specific role in the world of coffee.

The Botanical Identity and History of Excelsa Coffee

The story of Excelsa coffee is intertwined with botanical discovery and revision. The plant was first described in the early 20th century in Central Africa.

Initially named Coffea excelsa due to its tall tree structure (“excelsa” is Latin for “tall”), it was later determined through genetic analysis to be a botanical variety of Coffea liberica, known scientifically as Coffea liberica var. dewevrei.

Key botanical facts about the Excelsa coffee plant include:

• Growth Habit: Unlike the more compact Arabica bush, the Excelsa coffee plant is a robust, tall tree that can reach heights of 6 to 9 meters, or even taller if left unpruned.
• Resilience: The plant exhibits a higher resistance to certain diseases and pests compared to the more delicate Arabica species. It is also more tolerant of hot, arid climates and can thrive at lower altitudes.
• Bean Appearance: The beans of Excelsa coffee are distinct in shape. They are often more almond-shaped and smaller than typical Arabica or Robusta beans.
• Cultivation Regions: Primary cultivation of Excelsa coffee occurs in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. It is also found in parts of West and Central Africa.

The Unique Flavor and Aroma Profile of Excelsa Coffee

The sensory experience of Excelsa coffee is what sets it apart and fuels its niche popularity. The flavor profile is often described as complex and unconventional when compared to the more common Arabica and Robusta.

Documented characteristics of Excelsa coffee’s taste and aroma include:

• Dominant Notes: The cup often presents a pronounced tart, fruity acidity reminiscent of dark fruits like tamarind or jackfruit. This is frequently accompanied by woody, earthy, and sometimes smoky undertones.
• Body and Mouthfeel: Excelsa coffee typically possesses a medium to full body, contributing to a weighty sensation on the palate.
• Flavor Spectrum: Tasting notes can range from tart berry and raspberry to more savory notes of dark wood, spice, and even a subtle leathery quality. The profile is generally less sweet and floral than a typical Arabica and less bitter and harsh than a Robusta.
• Aftertaste: The finish is often characterized as lingering and complex, with the tart and woody notes persisting.

Cultivation and Processing of Excelsa Beans

The cultivation and post-harvest processing methods significantly influence the final quality of Excelsa coffee. Understanding this journey from farm to roast is crucial.

Cultivation

Excelsa coffee trees are cultivated in specific climatic conditions, predominantly in Southeast Asia. They are well-suited to regions with:

• Altitude: While Arabica thrives at high altitudes, Excelsa coffee grows well at lower to medium altitudes, often between 200 to 800 meters above sea level.
• Climate: The trees prefer a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons and can tolerate higher temperatures.
• Harvesting: The cherries are typically harvested by hand once they reach a deep red color, indicating peak ripeness.

Processing Methods

After harvest, the coffee cherries undergo processing to remove the outer layers and extract the green bean. The two primary methods used for Excelsa are:

1. Dry (Natural) Processing: The harvested cherries are spread out in thin layers and sun-dried for several weeks. During this time, the fruit ferments around the bean, which can impart intense fruitiness, wine-like notes, and a heavier body to the final cup. This method is common in regions with consistent, dry weather.
2. Wet (Washed) Processing: This method involves removing the fruit pulp from the bean shortly after harvesting using water and mechanical demucilagers. The beans are then fermented in water tanks to remove any remaining mucilage before being dried. Washed Excelsa coffee tends to have a cleaner cup profile, with brighter acidity and a more defined articulation of its inherent tart and fruity notes.

The choice of processing method allows producers to tailor the final flavor profile of the Excelsa coffee beans.

Brewing Methods for Excelsa Coffee

The robust and complex flavor profile of Excelsa coffee makes it suitable for various brewing methods. Each method can extract and emphasize different aspects of its character.

• French Press: The immersion brewing of a French Press is well-suited to highlight the full body and complex, earthy notes of Excelsa coffee. It allows the oils and fine particles to remain in the brew, contributing to a rich and textured cup.
• Pour-Over (e.g., Hario V60, Kalita Wave): This method can produce a cleaner cup, bringing forward the tart, fruity acidity of the bean. It can help delineate the complex flavor layers, resulting in a more nuanced drinking experience.
• Espresso: While not as common as a single-origin espresso, Excelsa coffee is sometimes used in espresso blends. It can add a unique, sharp acidity and complexity to the blend, cutting through milk in drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with its distinctive character.
• Cold Brew: The slow, cold extraction process can mellow out the sharp, tart notes of Excelsa coffee, resulting in a smooth, deeply flavorful concentrate with low acidity. The cold brew method often accentuates the dark fruit and woody characteristics.

A medium to medium-dark roast level is often preferred for Excelsa coffee to balance its inherent tartness with developed roast flavors.

Excelsa Coffee in Blends and Its Market Position

Pure, single-origin Excelsa is a specialty item. However, its primary role in the global market has historically been as a component in coffee blends.

• Role in Blends: The unique profile of Excelsa coffee makes it a valuable blending component. Roasters use it to add complexity, depth, and a distinctive tartness to blends. It can provide a “top note” that contrasts with the chocolatey or nutty base of an Arabica blend or add body and character to a Robusta-heavy blend.
• Economic Niche: Due to its lower global production volume and unique taste, Excelsa coffee occupies a niche market. It appeals to coffee enthusiasts seeking novel experiences and to consumers in its growing regions where it is part of the local coffee culture.
• The “Liberica” Family: As part of the Liberica family, Excelsa shares a similar market trajectory. Both are considered “third wave” or “specialty” curiosities that are gaining renewed interest from roasters and consumers looking to explore beyond the dominant Arabica and Robusta species.

Comparing Excelsa to Arabica and Robusta

To fully understand the position of Excelsa coffee, a direct, factual comparison with the two dominant species is useful.

Characteristic	Arabica	Robusta	Excelsa
Species	Coffea arabica	Coffea canephora	Coffea liberica var. dewevrei
Global Share	~60-70%	~30-40%	<1%
Optimal Altitude	High (600-2000m)	Low (0-800m)	Low to Medium (200-800m)
Caffeine Content	~1.2 – 1.5%	~2.2 – 2.7%	~1.0 – 1.3% (approx.)
Bean Shape	Oval, flat	Smaller, round	Almond-shaped, small
Typical Flavor	Sweet, acidic, complex (fruit, chocolate, nuts)	Strong, harsh, earthy, peanutty	Tart, fruity, woody, earthy
Primary Use	Specialty, single-origin, premium blends	Instant coffee, espresso blends, filler	Blends, niche single-origin

The Challenges and Future of Excelsa Coffee Production

The cultivation and market presence of Excelsa coffee face specific challenges and opportunities.

Challenges:

• Limited Production: The small scale of global production means that Excelsa coffee is less commercially available and can be more expensive to source.
• Market Education: Many consumers are unfamiliar with the taste profile of Excelsa coffee, which can limit its mainstream appeal.
• Botanical Confusion: The reclassification and common conflation with Liberica can create ambiguity in the supply chain and for consumers.

Future Outlook:

• Specialty Coffee Movement: The growing interest in diverse and unique coffee experiences within the specialty coffee sector presents a significant opportunity for Excelsa coffee. Roasters are constantly seeking novel profiles to offer their customers.
• Climate Resilience: As a hardy plant resistant to certain diseases and tolerant of warmer temperatures, Excelsa coffee could become more relevant in the context of climate change, which threatens traditional Arabica-growing regions.
• Single-Origin Exploration: There is a growing trend of roasters and importers highlighting single-origin Excelsa coffee from specific farms or regions, much like they do with Arabica, to showcase its terroir-driven nuances.

Conclusion

Excelsa coffee represents a unique and historically significant branch of the coffee family tree. From its botanical identity as a variety of Liberica to its distinctive tart, fruity, and woody sensory profile, it offers a completely different experience from the more common Arabica and Robusta species.

Its resilience as a crop and its role in adding complexity to blends underscore its value in the global coffee ecosystem. While it remains a niche product, the growing curiosity of the global coffee community and the challenges of a changing climate may pave the way for a broader appreciation and understanding of this singular coffee variety.

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Grown in optimal conditions, their beans capture the distinct, complex profile that makes this variety so unique. To explore their selection and procure these distinctive beans, you can purchase Excelsa coffee beans directly from FnB Tech.