Coffea excelsa

Coffea excelsa is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is one of the four main species of coffee plants, the others being Coffea arabica, Coffea canephora (also known as Robusta), and Coffea liberica.

Taxonomy

Coffea excelsa was first described by French botanist Auguste Chevalier in 1897. It is classified under the genus Coffea, which comprises approximately 124 species, most of which are native to tropical regions of Africa.

Description

Coffea excelsa is a large tree that can reach up to 10 meters in height. It has elliptical leaves and white flowers. The fruits, or cherries, are larger than those of other coffee species and contain two seeds, commonly referred to as coffee beans.

Cultivation and Use

Coffea excelsa is grown primarily in West and Central Africa, particularly in the countries of Chad, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is less common than the other main coffee species and accounts for less than 1% of world coffee production.

The beans of Coffea excelsa are used to produce coffee. They have a unique flavor profile that is distinct from other coffee species, often described as tart and fruity with a light body and bright acidity.

Conservation Status

Coffea excelsa is currently listed as "Data Deficient" on the IUCN Red List due to a lack of recent information about its population status and threats.

See Also

• Coffee production in Africa
• List of coffee varieties