For decades, the speciality coffee industry has been singularly focussed on Arabica, treating it as the golden child of coffee cultivation. While Arabica's complex flavour profile and rich history have earned it this prestigious position, the coffee world's fixation on a single species may be shortsighted – especially in the face of climate change and evolving consumer preferences.
Enter Excelsa, a relatively unknown coffee species that's quietly gaining attention among forward-thinking coffee professionals. As a company committed to innovation in the coffee industry, we've pioneered this rare species of coffee as early as 2021. In fact, Pandya - our house blend of Arabica and Excelsa won a 3-star rating at the 2022 Great Taste Awards.
But first, let's explore why this overlooked variety deserves your attention.
The Arabica Obsession: A Reality Check
The speciality coffee industry's love affair with Arabica has created a somewhat myopic view of what "good coffee" should be. While Arabica undoubtedly produces excellent cups, this singular focus has led to several challenges:
- Limited genetic diversity in coffee cultivation
- Increased vulnerability to climate change
- Rising production costs
- Reduced experimentation with other species
This Arabica-centric approach is particularly concerning given the challenges posed by climate change. Arabica coffee is notoriously sensitive to temperature fluctuations and requires specific growing conditions that are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.
The Rise of Alternative Coffee Species
The speciality coffee industry is gradually awakening to the potential of non-Arabica species. Robusta, long dismissed as inferior, has recently undergone a reputation rehabilitation. Speciality-grade Robusta beans are challenging preconceptions about what this species can offer, with some cups revealing surprising complexity and character.
We championed speciality grade robusta as early as 2018 in our house blends – Chola and Pallava.
However, there's another player in this evolution: Excelsa coffee. This lesser-known variety offers unique characteristics that make it particularly valuable in today's changing coffee landscape.
In 2023, our innovative Climate Change coffee blend, which uniquely combines these two uncommon varieties in the speciality coffee world—Excelsa and Robusta—was honoured with the prestigious Great Taste award.
Understanding Excelsa: The Climate-Resilient Champion
Excelsa coffee possesses several remarkable characteristics that set it apart:
1. Climate Resilience
Unlike its more delicate cousin Arabica, Excelsa demonstrates impressive resilience to varying weather conditions. It can thrive in:
- Higher temperature ranges
- Different altitude levels
- Various soil conditions
- Areas with irregular rainfall patterns
2. Unique Flavour Profile
Excelsa's taste profile is fascinating and complex:
- Sweet and tart fruity notes, the sweetness is very pronounced
- Surprisingly pleasant if roasted dark, unlike arabica and robusta
- Interesting oaky undertones
- Lingering finish with wine-like characteristics
3. Sustainable Cultivation
Excelsa trees are naturally resistant to many common coffee diseases and pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions. They also:
- Grow taller than Arabica plants
- Have longer productive lifespans
- Require less intensive maintenance
- Adapt well to agroforestry systems
The Future is Diverse
As climate change continues to threaten traditional coffee-growing regions, the industry must embrace diversity in coffee species. Excelsa represents not just an alternative to Arabica, but a vital component in ensuring coffee's future sustainability.
The benefits of incorporating Excelsa into the speciality coffee scene include:
1. Climate Change Adaptation: Excelsa's natural resilience makes it a crucial player in maintaining coffee production in changing conditions.
2. Flavour Innovation: Its unique taste profile offers new possibilities for blending and single-origin offerings.
3. Economic Sustainability: Lower maintenance requirements and higher disease resistance can help farmers reduce production costs.
4. Biodiversity: Introducing more coffee varieties into commercial production helps maintain genetic diversity in the coffee industry.
Our Commitment to Innovation
Recognising the exceptional potential of Excelsa species, we are delighted to unveil our upcoming Christmas season release: Mara, a 100% Excelsa single-origin from the Mooleh Manay estate in Suntikoppa, Karnataka. Named after the Tamil word for 'tree' – a language deeply connected to our founder's roots – Mara showcases the distinctive qualities of this rare coffee.
This release represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of speciality coffee and embracing sustainable, forward-thinking practices in the industry.
Looking Ahead
The future of coffee lies not in clinging to traditional preferences but in embracing diversity and adaptation. While Arabica will undoubtedly remain important, the industry must expand its horizons to include varieties like Excelsa and speciality-grade Robusta.
As climate change continues to impact coffee production worldwide, these resilient varieties will become increasingly important. Their ability to thrive in challenging conditions while producing unique and enjoyable flavour profiles makes them invaluable assets to the coffee industry.
The coffee industry stands at a crossroads. We can either continue our singular focus on Arabica, facing increasing challenges as growing conditions become more difficult, or we can embrace the diversity and resilience offered by varieties like Excelsa. The choice seems clear: the future of coffee lies in diversity, sustainability, and openness to new possibilities.
By broadening our perspective and giving attention to previously overlooked coffee species, we not only secure the future of coffee production but also open ourselves to new and exciting flavour experiences. The journey beyond Arabica is just beginning, and Excelsa coffee is leading the way into this promising future.