Coffee beans
Excelsa
Excelsa is a rare coffee with a tart, fruity, dark flavour. It is now usually treated as a variety of Liberica.
- Taste Tart, fruity and dark, with a light body and a roasted finish. Often used in small amounts in blends.
- Grown Mostly in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
- Caffeine note Caffeine content is usually similar to Arabica or a little higher, but varies by sample.
Written by the KAIVO team, Mumbai. Last updated 4 November 2026. Cite as: KAIVO, "Excelsa", kaivo.in/pages/beans-excelsa
Excelsa was long thought to be its own species, but many botanists now classify it as a variety of Liberica. It grows on tall trees that handle drought well, and it makes up a very small share of the world's coffee, mostly in Southeast Asia. The cup is tart and fruity, with a dark, roasted background, which is why it is sometimes added in small amounts to blends to add complexity.
Questions
Is Excelsa good for espresso?
It is rarely used alone. Roasters sometimes add a small amount to espresso blends for tartness and depth.
Is Excelsa available in India?
Not commonly. You will mostly find it from specialty importers or in some Southeast Asian blends.