A 2025 Nature Plants study combined genomic, morphological and distributional evidence to support three species within Liberica coffee: Coffea liberica, C. dewevrei (excelsa) and C. klainei.
Angiosperms353 and 2,240 exon-region SNPs recovered three distinct lineages with corresponding morphology and wild distributions. The study also corrected a common market statistic: current Liberica/excelsa production is probably below 1,000 t, roughly 0.01% relative to around 10 million t of Arabica+robusta exports in 2024—not 1–2%.
A direct 2026 Scientific Reports follow-up analyzed 113 accessions and 7,618 SNPs and confirmed widespread fertile hybridization between C. liberica and C. dewevrei in cultivation, including extensive admixture in Sarawak. The authors proposed the hybrid name Coffea × libex. Seed size and parchment thickness varied with ancestry, making hybridization a concrete breeding resource.
These coffees may broaden climate-resilient crop options, but they are not demonstrated replacements for Arabica and robusta across the global value chain.
For related context, see Was Cupuaçu Domesticated 8,000 Years Ago? What the Genome Actually Shows.
For related context, see Crossing, Selfing or Cloning? Pinot Noir Pedigrees Reveal How Reproductive Systems Reshape Grapevine Genomes.
For related context, see How Much Crop Choice Could Low Latitudes Lose? Climatic Niches of 30 Food Crops Under 1.5–4°C Warming.
References
- Davis AP et al. Nature Plants. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02073-y
- Davis AP et al. Scientific Reports. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49305-5
Comments