As climate change continues to disrupt global agriculture, coffee farmers and researchers are increasingly turning their attention to a little known coffee species called Excelsa. Once considered a marginal crop in India, Excelsa is now being viewed as a promising alternative to traditional coffee varieties that are struggling to cope with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and growing pest pressures.
The global coffee industry relies heavily on Arabica and Robusta, which together account for the vast majority of coffee production worldwide. However, changing weather patterns are making cultivation of these varieties more difficult. Higher temperatures, prolonged heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall are reducing yields, affecting bean quality and increasing plant stress, particularly for Arabica, which is highly sensitive to heat.
Climate Change Threatens Traditional Coffee Cultivation
Coffee growing regions across the world are experiencing significant climate related challenges. In India, where coffee is primarily cultivated in the Western Ghats, growers have reported longer monsoon seasons, shifting flowering cycles and rising pest infestations.
Experts warn that temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius can severely impact coffee production. Arabica coffee requires relatively cool tropical conditions, while Robusta prefers warm and wet climates. Both varieties are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Researchers believe that unless alternative solutions are adopted, coffee growing regions could face major disruptions in the coming decades.
Excelsa Coffee Moves From Obscurity to Opportunity
Excelsa, scientifically known as Coffea dewevrei, is native to parts of West Africa, Tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. Although it has existed in India for more than a century, it was never widely cultivated for commercial coffee production.
Historically, Excelsa trees were planted as shade trees or boundary markers on coffee estates. Their tall growth, often reaching between six and fifteen metres, made them difficult to manage on a large scale.
However climate change is prompting a fresh evaluation of the species.
Coffee growers in Karnataka’s Kodagu district have preserved decades old Excelsa trees that are now attracting renewed interest from researchers and specialty coffee producers. The species is gaining recognition for its ability to withstand changing weather conditions better than many conventional coffee varieties.
Several estates in southern India have begun experimenting with Excelsa cultivation. Farmers say the species appears more resilient to excessive rainfall, changing seasonal patterns and certain climate-related stresses.
At Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district, growers who have cultivated Excelsa and Liberica coffee for decades report that these varieties perform better under fluctuating climatic conditions. Their longer growth cycle allows harvesting after unseasonal rains have passed, reducing crop damage.
Encouraged by these results, some estates are expanding their plantations and introducing new varieties sourced from countries such as Vietnam.
Interest is also growing among coffee farmers across southern India. Demand for Excelsa saplings has increased significantly as growers seek alternatives that can withstand future climate uncertainties.
The search for climate resilient coffee extends far beyond India. Scientists have identified more than 130 coffee species worldwide, many of which are now being studied for their ability to survive hotter and more unpredictable climates.
Researchers believe diversification is essential for the future of coffee cultivation. Instead of depending solely on Arabica and Robusta, growers may need a broader portfolio of coffee species suited to different environmental conditions.
Excelsa is already being cultivated commercially in countries such as Uganda and Vietnam, where farmers report strong productivity and resilience. Some experts predict that Excelsa coffee could enter mainstream global markets within the next decade.
New Research Explores Future Coffee Hybrids
Scientists are also investigating hybrid coffee varieties that combine the strengths of different species. Recent research has focused on crosses between Liberica and Excelsa, producing a new hybrid known as Coffea x libex.
Researchers say these hybrids show promising resistance to heat, excess moisture and diseases. Such characteristics could prove valuable as climate change intensifies across coffee-growing regions.
Advances in genomic research are helping scientists identify traits that can improve coffee resilience while maintaining desirable flavour profiles.
What was once considered an experimental crop is gradually finding a place in specialty coffee markets. Small-scale producers in India have already introduced Excelsa-based coffee products that have gained popularity among consumers.
Coffee roasters describe Excelsa as having a distinctive flavour profile and relatively low caffeine content, making it attractive for specialty blends and potentially even instant coffee products.
Industry experts believe that if ongoing research and cultivation trials continue to produce positive results, Excelsa could become an important part of the global coffee industry’s adaptation strategy.