What is Liberica coffee?

A Diamond in the Rough

Accounting for only ~1% of the global coffee market, Liberica isn't nearly as well known as its siblings, Arabica & Robusta. However, demand for this rare coffee species has been growing and for good reason. It's unique flavour profile and lower caffeine content make it stand out as an exciting variant for all coffee lovers to try! And not only are we glad to offer a delicious new coffee, but also to support our local coffee plantations!

Which coffee is best? 

There is no such thing as a "best" species of coffee, as each one hosts countless varietals and the cultivation of the coffee plants as well as the processing of the beans play a huge role in what their final flavour profile will truly show. However, here are some examples of what you may be able to expect when people talk about the respective coffee. 

Arabica - The Crowd Pleaser

The classic "premium" coffee that most coffee shops and brands will advertise. As they are the most popular choice, they also have the advantage of a long history of different methods in an attempt of developing their flavours in many different ways. Because of this, Arabica arguably has the biggest "range" of flavours that you could realistically expect. A dark roast from one country may give you deep chocolatey-bitter notes, while a light roast from another could be bursting with citrus or berry flavours. 

Robusta - The Heavy Hitter

Commonly roasted dark for earthy, nutty or dark chocolate notes. Boasting intense flavours and a good dose of caffeine, Robusta beans are a popular choice for instant coffee and as well as more kopitiam-style venues. Much less commonly discussed in specialty coffee circles, but as taste is subjective, don't give up on it before giving it a try! If you do enjoy it, all the better, as you can often get it at a cheaper cost than Arabica and Liberica! 

Liberica - The Underdog

Finally, the topic of this article. Liberica was traditionally also roasted dark and treated in a similar vein as Robusta. However, the latest coffee wave has seen more Malaysian roasters realising the appeal of lighter roasted coffee, allowing for the unique & rarer flavours of the Liberica bean to shine. Depending on the roast level and plantation, tasting notes could range from woody, spicy & nutty to floral & tropical fruits. They are often perceived as slightly sweeter since they are often naturally processed, allowing the large fruit to concentrate it's flavours and sugars onto the bean. 

How we utilize Liberica

We are proud to use local Malaysian Liberica in both our Coffee Ice Cream Puffs as well as our Dusk series Coffee.