Beans of Tomorrow: Cultivating Coffee's Future

Are we on the brink of a "Coffee Catastrophe" that could leave our morning mugs empty?

Despite Mother Nature's generous offering of over 120 coffee species, we've put all our beans in just two baskets: Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta. This lack of diversity in our coffee crops is a potential disaster brewing - but I recently had the pleasure of touring a coffee farm in SE Asia that holds promising potential - Coffea liberica!

The COVID of coffee?

Currently, Arabica is the darling of coffee connoisseurs, accounting for a whopping 60% of global coffee production. However, these plants have alarmingly low genetic diversity which mean they are susceptible to disease. Yes, just like humans contract and spread disease like COVID, plants can contract and spread disease. Their vulnerability to diseases like coffee leaf rust (roya) echoes a historical catastrophe: the Irish Potato Famine. Just as a single potato variety's susceptibility led to widespread crop failure in Ireland, Arabica's low genetic diversity poses a similar threat to coffee production. Robusta beans make up most of the remaining 40% of global coffee production but often lack Arabica's prized flavor profile. With this lack of crop diversity, our coffee harvest is percolating towards disaster. Coffee leaf rust has been the nemesis of coffee plants since the 1800s but made a roaring comeback between 2012 and 2014, causing nearly $1 billion in damages in Latin America alone.

Enter Coffea liberica, a lesser-known species gaining attention for its resilience, flavor profile, and unique characteristics including:

• Thriving in hotter, more humid climates
• Exhibiting strong resistance to coffee leaf rust and other diseases
• Producing larger beans with a distinct flavor profile, including notes of cocoa nibs, peanut butter, dried fruits, and maple syrup - let me tell you, it is delicious!
• Currently cultivated in Malaysia, the Philippines, and increasingly in Uganda

Shifting bean belt

In addition to plant pathogens, climate scientists have also warned that by 2050, half of the world's coffee-growing regions could become uninhabitable for Arabica beans, as well as some Robusta varieties. While Arabica farmers retreat to higher elevations seeking cooler temperatures, Liberica thrives in the changing climate.

In Malaysia, where Liberica has been cultivated for over a century, farmers are already mastering what could become a primary coffee crop of the future. Over 200 farms in Uganda are also transitioning to Liberica's Excelsa variant, recognizing its potential to withstand the challenges that threaten Arabica.

Genetic Solutions and Crop Diversity

Recent research led by NTU Singapore has mapped the genomes of Arabica and related species, revealing genetic traits that confer resistance to coffee leaf rust meaning new varieties could be bread with resistance. However, the study also highlights Arabica's dangerously low genetic diversity, making it particularly vulnerable to pests and diseases - especially those yet to come as climates shift. This vulnerability underscores the importance of exploring alternative species like Liberica.

Embracing Diversity for Sustainability

The parallels between the Irish Potato Famine and the potential coffee crisis are stark. Both scenarios highlight the dangers of relying too heavily on a single crop variety. By embracing crop diversity, particularly through the cultivation of resilient species like Liberica, the coffee industry can build a more sustainable future. This approach not only protects against climate change and disease but also offers new flavor profiles for coffee enthusiasts to explore.

As we face these challenges, supporting sustainable practices and exploring crop diversity is essential for protecting both our cherished beverage and the livelihoods of the 125 million people worldwide who depend on coffee production.

If you are curious to learn more or want to connect with some wonderful Coffea liberica growers in Malaysia - please reach out!