Do you know the four types of coffee that grow in the Philippines? The country is one of the rare places on Earth where all four commercially viable species thrive.
1. Excelsa
The fruity and sweetest among the four brothers. Definitely the quirkiest one — the one you'll probably have an easy time loving. Excelsa has tart, fruity notes that set it apart from any other coffee you've tried.
2. Liberica (Barako)
The rarest among the four brothers. Liberica has a strong exterior but doesn't leave that overwhelming taste throughout the day. As they say: "A tough exterior but a soft interior." This is the legendary Kapeng Barako that Batangas is famous for.
3. Arabica
Probably the most sensitive among the brothers. Arabica needs high altitude and tender loving care to grow. A rare find in the lowlands, Philippine Arabica is grown in the Cordillera mountains and parts of Mindanao, producing smooth, clean cups with mild acidity.
4. Robusta
The toughest of all four. Robusta can withstand harsh conditions, grows at lower altitudes, and packs the most caffeine. It's the backbone of many commercial blends, providing body and crema to espresso.
Why It Matters
The Philippines is one of only five countries in the world that grows all four species commercially. This gives Filipino coffee a unique diversity that no other origin can match — and it's what makes Cafe de Lipa's blends so distinctive.
Try all four species in our single-origin collection.
