Scientists Explore Excelsa As Potential Solution To Climate Change's Global Coffee Crisis – CoffeeTalk

Scientists are exploring the potential of Excelsa, a lesser-known coffee plant with heat- and drought-resistant powers, as a solution to a global coffee crisis caused mainly by climate change. The plant, discovered in South Sudan over 100 years ago, has deep roots, big trunks, and tough leaves that can help it survive droughts and heat, as well as withstand pests and diseases. Excelsa is one of a few varieties that could offer coffee source alternatives in a warming world, and other heat-resistant coffee strains have recently been rediscovered in Sierra Leone.

However, such solutions so far lack scale, as excelsa still makes up less than 1% of the global market. Farming in South Sudan also faces challenges due to limited infrastructure, human rights atrocities, and renewed threats of civil war for the world’s youngest nation. However, there is hope that South Sudan might build on the potential of excelsa, as it could provide income for farmers, enable them to put more food on the table for their children, and send their children to school.

Equatoria Teak, which has operated in South Sudan for over 10 years, has provided seedlings and training to farmers, who can sell beans back to the agro-forestry company. If the industry can scale up so that large buyers like Nespresso invest, excelsa could provide $2 million to the economy by 2027. The company is working on unraveling the mystery of Excelsa coffee and is learning every day.

Excelsa Cafe, the world’s first excelsa-only coffee shop, recently opened in Ocean Beach, California, and is looking to grow the international market for these beans. By understanding the unique properties of Excelsa coffee, it is possible to help keep prices down while enabling producers to adapt to the changing world.

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