Excelsa Coffee: Origin, Taste, and How to Choose
Updated - Team Colipse
Excelsa coffee beans come from the Coffea liberica plant. They were first named Coffea excelsa, and later, they were considered a type of Coffea liberica. Excelsa coffee beans are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and have a slightly wrinkled surface. The coffee beans are about 2 cm long and 1.7 cm wide. Excelsa coffee is mainly grown in Southeast Asia. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are key producers. It has a bold, complex flavor, mixing bitter, sweet, and sour notes. Excelsa coffee has a moderate caffeine level. An 8-ounce cup has about 86 to 113 mg of caffeine. For the best Excelsa coffee, choose high-quality beans from Southeast Asia or Africa. Look for fresh, medium to dark roasts. Make sure the supplier is reputable and uses ethical sourcing.
What is Excelsa Coffee?
Excelsa coffee is a type of coffee bean variety of Coffea liberica. The name "Excelsa" comes from the botanical name Coffea excelsa, a coffee species in the Liberica family. Initially described as Coffea excelsa by Auguste Chevalier and Coffea dewevrei by Emile De Wildeman and Theophile Durand, this coffee plant was later classified as a variety of Coffea liberica (Coffea liberica var. excelsa). Since 2006, it has been officially classified as Coffea liberica var. dewevrei.
Excelsa coffee is one of the four main types of commercially grown coffee, alongside Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Robusta and Arabica dominate 90% of the global coffee market, while Liberica and Excelsa make up the remainder. Excelsa Coffee is highly resistant to pests and thrives in various climates and elevations up to 750 meters above sea level. This coffee grows well in peat soils and harsh conditions, making it low maintenance. In Indonesia's Wonosalam region of Jombang, for example, nearly every village cultivates Excelsa coffee trees. In Indonesia, Excelsa coffee is called kopi asisa.
What Does Excelsa Coffee Beans Look Like?
Excelsa coffee beans are medium-sized with an elongated, oval shape and lightly wrinkled surface. Excelsa coffee beans refers to the seeds of the Coffea liberica var. dewevrei plant. These seeds are found inside the coffee fruit, known as cherries. Excelsa coffee fruits measure 2.9 to 3.5 cm in length and 1.9 to 2.1 cm in diameter. The beans inside are 2.1 to 2.3 cm long and 1.6 to 1.8 cm in diameter.
Excelsa coffee beans color ranges from pale green to muted olive, with a subtle texture featuring thin ridges and slight center cracks. When roasted, Excelsa coffee beans take on a dark brown color with a smooth, matte surface. The beans have soft skin that peels easily by hand. They are heavier than Arabica beans but lighter than Liberica beans, and they are smaller than Liberica beans but larger than Arabica and Robusta beans.
Where is Excelsa Coffee Grown?
Excelsa coffee is primarily grown in Southeast Asia, specifically in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In Vietnam, Excelsa coffee is primarily grown in the Central Highlands, particularly in Lam Dong and Dak Lak provinces. The Philippines has cultivated Excelsa since the late 1800s, particularly in Batangas, Cavite, and parts of Mindanao. In Malaysia, it is grown alongside Liberica in select regions. Indonesia cultivates Excelsa in areas like Tanjung Jabung Barat (Jambi) and Wonosalam (Jombang), thriving at elevations of 0 to 750 meters above sea level.
Outside of Southeast Asia, Excelsa coffee is also grown in Africa, where it was first discovered near the Chari River close to Lake Chad. It is cultivated in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Excelsa coffee is found in limited quantities in South America, such as Ecuador. However, Colombia, Brazil, and Ethiopia do not cultivate Excelsa coffee on a significant scale.
What are the Excelsa Coffee Growing Conditions?
Excelsa coffee thrives in specific conditions. It grows best at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,300 meters above sea level in acidic peat soils with moderate rainfall. Ideal temperatures for cultivation range from 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C). Unlike Arabica and Robusta, Excelsa coffee is a tree-like plant requiring vertical space to grow. They are ready for harvest in 3.5 years and can grow up to 8 meters tall. Their flowers bloom multiple times during the harvest season, though the fruit takes about a year to mature.
The following table outlines the optimal growing conditions for Excelsa coffee, including details on altitude, temperature, climate, soil type, and regional cultivation areas.
| Excelsa Coffee Growing Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1,000 to 1,300 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) or 3,200 to 4,000 feet. |
| Temperature Range | 17°C to 30°C (63°F to 86°F); ideal range: 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F). |
| Climate | Tropical climate with consistent warm temperatures. |
| Rainfall | Average annual rainfall of 150 cm (60 inches). |
| Soil Type | Well-drained soil, including peatlands, sandy loam, or clay loam. |
| Shade Requirement | Partial shade or dappled sunlight; can tolerate full sun. |
| Disease Resistance | Resistant to leaf rust, nematodes, and coffee leaf miner moth; susceptible to trichomycosis. |
| Fruit Maturation | Approximately 1 year for full fruit development. |
| Bean Size | Length: 0.83 to 1.18 inches; Diameter: 0.63 to 0.83 inches |
| Tree Height | Grows up to 8 meters (26.25 feet); requires vertical space. |
What Does the Excelsa Coffee Taste Like?
Excelsa coffee has a bold and complex flavor profile, blending bitter, sweet, and sour notes. It has flavors of tropical fruits like mango and pineapple, along with with darker fruit notes such as plum or cherry. Floral hints like jasmine and hibiscus add to its complex flavor. Excelsa coffee has distinct earthy and smoky undertones. It has a tangy, slightly tart flavor with mild astringency.
Excelsa coffee has a medium to full body with a rich mouthfeel. It has a moderate acidity, less sharp than Arabica but smoother than Robusta. This adds depth and strength when blended with other coffees. Excelsa beans have denser mucilage and fewer soluble solids than Arabica. Due to lower solubility, Excelsa beans may need higher roasting temperatures or longer roasting times to achieve optimal flavor. Medium-light roasts of Excelsa can produce berry-like, fruity notes, along with woody and popcorn-like flavors. Dark roasting Excelsa coffee brings out nutty, chocolatey flavors with hints of sweetness.
Is Excelsa Coffee Acidic?
Yes, Excelsa coffee is acidic, but it has a moderate acidity level. It falls somewhere between the high acidity of Arabica and the low acidity of Robusta, offering a balanced flavor profile. It is less tangy than Arabica but not as neutral as Robusta. The perceived acidity of Excelsa coffee also varies with the roast level. Lighter roasts highlight its natural acidity and fruity notes, while darker roasts reduce acidity and bring out smoky, nutty, and chocolatey flavors.
How Much Caffeine is in Excelsa Coffee?
Excelsa coffee has a moderate amount of caffeine. An 8 oz (237 ml) cup of Excelsa coffee typically contains 86 mg to 113 mg of caffeine. Excelsa coffee beans contain 0.86 to 1.13 grams of caffeine per 100 grams. This places it between Arabica and Robusta in terms of caffeine content. Arabica contains 1.2 to 1.5 grams of caffeine per 100 grams of beans, while Robusta has 2.2 to 2.7 grams.
The caffeine level in Excelsa coffee can vary based on the brewing method and how the beans were processed. For example, a 2022 study titled Profile of Bioactive Compounds, Aromas, and Cup Quality of Excelsa Coffee (Coffea liberica var. dewevrei) Prepared from Diverse Postharvest Processes found that natural and honey-processed Excelsa beans tend to have higher caffeine levels than wine-processed ones.
How to Choose the Best Excelsa Coffee?
To choose the best Excelsa coffee, start by looking for high-quality beans sourced from Southeast Asia or Africa. Ensure the beans are freshly roasted, typically medium to dark roast, to enhance Excelsa's fruity and tart flavor. Verify the supplier's reputation for consistent quality and ethical sourcing practices.
Where to Buy the Best Excelsa Coffee Beans?
You can buy the best Excelsa coffee beans through various platforms. Online retailers like Amazon offer 100% pure Excelsa coffee beans from regions such as the Philippines. Specialty coffee websites, including excelsacoffee.com and Mystic Monk Coffee, provide fresh-roasted Excelsa coffee with detailed sourcing information. For bulk or unroasted options, wholesalers like Alibaba and Genuine Origin supply Excelsa beans, including varieties from Indonesia and Uganda. While Colipse doesn't sell Excelsa coffee beans specifically, we offer many specialty-grade roasted Arabica coffee for sale online, roasted fresh and shipped directly to you.
What is the Price for Excelsa Coffee?
The price for Excelsa coffee varies by platform and quantity. On Amazon, a 12 oz (340 g) bag of 100% pure Excelsa whole beans from the Philippines costs $24.00 USD. On eBay, 400 g packs of Excelsa beans from Indonesia are priced at $77.00 USD. Mystic Monk Coffee offers Excelsa within typical specialty coffee price ranges. On Alibaba, wholesale pricing varies between $5 to $10 USD per lb, depending on quantity and supplier.
Is Excelsa Coffee Expensive?
Yes, Excelsa coffee is generally more expensive than common coffee varieties like Arabica or Robusta. A 12 oz bag of Excelsa coffee typically costs $20-$25. Its rarity and limited supply contribute to the higher price. Some rare or limited-edition Excelsa coffees can cost up to $175 USD per bag.
How is Excelsa Coffee Different from Other Types of Beans?
Excelsa coffee differs from other types of coffee beans in several key ways. Excelsa coffee offers a unique flavor profile with tart, fruity notes and hints of dark roast, contrasting with Arabica's chocolate and nutty flavors or Robusta's strong, bitter taste. Excelsa beans are typically smaller and more irregularly shaped than other types of coffee beans. Excelsa plants are more challenging to cultivate and harvest, as they require specific growing conditions and often produce lower yields compared to Arabica or Robusta.
What is the Difference between Excelsa Coffee and Liberica Coffee?
The main difference between Excelsa and Liberica coffee is flavor and rarity. Excelsa has a fruity, tart profile with unique complexity, while Liberica offers a smoky, woody taste. Liberica beans are larger and rarer, making up only 1% of global production. Both grow in Southeast Asia but are less common than Arabica or Robusta.
What is the Difference between Excelsa Coffee and Arabica Coffee?
Excelsa and Arabica differ in taste and growing conditions. Excelsa is tart and fruity, grown in Southeast Asia. Arabica coffee is sweeter, grown at higher altitudes globally, and is more common, making up 60-70% of global coffee production.