Did you know that there are around 130 species of the coffee plant?
To put things into perspective, of these 130, 2 dominate the market and shape a majority of the coffee consumption in the world - Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Robusta).
When we think of coffee, the question is usually choosing between these two.
So what about the many other species that contain a depth of flavour and story we know little about?
In this blog post, we’re going to cover some of the lost and forgotten coffee species.
Coffea stenophylla
Once forgotten, stenophylla is the coffee species that has made a comeback in recent times.
It is native to the Sierra Leone and Guinea regions in West Africa and is recognised for its climate-resistant properties. Back in 1954, it had become difficult to spot this species in the wild.
Researchers eventually found it again in 2018, and this discovery posed an interesting idea - what if stenophylla could also produce a sensory profile similar to high-quality Arabica without being as sensitive to warmer growing conditions?
A study conducted in 2021 found that stenophylla could grow in 6°C warmer temperatures than Arabica with similar rainfall conditions. This ability to be more heat tolerant while producing a great cup makes it a valuable rediscovery for coffee scientists and specialty enthusiasts alike.
Coffea racemosa
Yet another coffee species found in Africa, Coffea racemosa comes from the southern Mozambique area.
Where stenophylla was praised for its climate resistance, racemosa was considered valuable for its naturally low caffeine quotient that’s lesser than the caffeine found even in Arabica coffees.
With commercial cultivation and distribution being extremely limited, this coffee species, also known as Inhambane coffee, is yet to achieve its full potential.
It has adapted to hot and significantly drier environments. If not for its low caffeine, it can also be relied on for other benefits like drought tolerance.
Since the historical accounts of its flavour profile aren’t definitive, there’s lots of room to do more study on this species. Some say it has an aromatic profile; others consider it inferior to Arabica. Only better testing will give us more clarity on what Coffea racemosa can produce.
Coffea affinis
A relative of the stenophylla plant, affinis has remained on the sidelines as it is not widely cultivated. Moreover, there was also a hiccup in its origin story.
Found in the Guinea and Ivory Coast regions of West Africa, affinis was first recorded in the early 1900s by a Belgian botanist. It was earlier grouped along with another coffee called Rio-Nunez. It was only later rediscovered and identified as a distinct species.
Coffea affinis is highly regarded for its disease-resistant capabilities, making it a strong choice for breeding.
Coffea eugenioides
To think that thousands of coffee lovers enjoy cups of Arabica coffee every day without knowing about the existence of Coffea eugenioides is particularly interesting.
It is the parent plant behind Arabica, and has been considered a species with genetic significance more so than a role to play in the commercial landscape of coffee.
Eugenioides played a crucial role in the formation of Arabica ages ago in Ethiopia. It produces small cherries and is said to have a delicate profile with floral and sweet notes. Coffea eugenioides is also naturally low in caffeine.
Although it isn’t cultivated at scale and hasn’t become a commercial crop per se, it was brought back into the limelight during the 2021 World Barista Championship.