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- Barako Blend - Philippine Liberica with Arabica and Robusta
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Barako Blend - Philippine Liberica with Arabica and Robusta
Literally translated from Tagalog (the language of the Philippines), "barako" means "wild boar". In common usage, however, it can refer to the male of any species, especially studs, and extra-especially studs that share the strength and ferocity of the wild boar... and so "barako" came to mean manly, macho, fearless and tough.
"Kapeng Barako" is the Tagalog name for the specific variety of Liberica that grows on the high mountain slopes of the Philippines. Its name thus has a delightfully layered meaning: the wild Barako boar is known to feed on its leaves, the plant is much larger and tougher than other coffee species to harvest. The strong, wiry sugar cane workers of the Philippines are called "Barakos" locally and they like their Barako coffee extra dark and sweet (brewed campfire style in a large pot). Recently, due to the rarity of Liberica, "Barako" coffee has fallen into common usage in Philippine coffee shops as a term for any strong coffee. They offer "regular" coffee and "barako" coffee, which is just bolder or darker. We hope that in time the Liberica will make a comeback in awareness.
Our Barako Blend is one of our oldest recipes, one of Len's personal favorites, and one of the best ways to enjoy the interplay of Liberica with a supporting cast of characters. We start with 50% Liberica, add an award-winning Arabica microlot coffee, and round it out with Philippine Robusta. The result is a bold, smoky, and robustly fragrant cup that fortifies you for whatever challenges you face today, whether it's rampaging wild boars or eight-hour budget meetings.
Back in stock and on sale for our Last Hurrah!
8 oz bag, we are only selling this blend in whole bean at this time.
More Information About Liberica (Kapeng Barako)
A unique and irreplaceable part of our worldwide coffee heritage, Liberica is an entirely separate species of coffee. Its almond-shaped beans have an exceptional aroma, almost floral and fruity, while its flavor is full and slightly smokey. We guarantee you have never tasted anything like this rare and exotic coffee.
Liberica is a vanishing species of coffee that is only now being brought back from the brink of extinction, and your purchase supports conservation of both the coffee and the forests where it grows.
Urgent update: Liberica is once again in danger of extinction. Many Liberica farms are replacing their pure Liberica trees with shorter, more convenient-to-harvest hybrid coffees. We fear that soon the wild Liberica trees will be the only ones left!
Now, more than ever, your purchase of Liberica is saving the entire species from extinction. Help us protect coffee biodiversity and preserve this irreplaceable part of our world's coffee heritage!
Customer Reviews
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Wonderful Coffee
My wife and I throughly enjoyed the beans we ordered. Some of the best coffee we’ve had in a long while.
Posted by Unknown on Jun 30th 2024
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What mouthfeel! The best and boldest.
My favorite single origin Arabica coffee has been Aged Sumatra. I wanted to try Liberica coffee and got this Barako Blend. Boy, am I glad I tried it! The aroma of the roasted beans was different from typical Arabica single-origin roasted beans but very pleasant at least to me. The uniqueness of the coffee extends to the cupping, it was nothing like any coffee I have tasted before. Very heavy body and velvety mouthfeel that ringers like a thick coating of molasses in the back of the palate for an aftertaste. Very low in acidity, but a hint of spice. Bold and smoky, akin to aged Sumatra, but very distinctive, more refined and silkier than earthy and funky Aged Sumatra. I became an instant fan of this coffee.
Posted by Rocky on Sep 16th 2022
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Just like the first time
Brought so much back when I visited the Philippines, hard to find. Tastes incredible. Shipping took forever.
Posted by Joe on Jul 10th 2022
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Excellent Coffee
Very good, rare coffee!
Posted by Unknown on Feb 23rd 2022
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Super-robust, delicious coffee
I tried this blend on a whim, and it has not disappointed! Very rich tasting coffee with delicious chocolate notes. It seems to be a great choice for the classic stove top moka pot. I love it!
Posted by Doug Eisemann on Dec 31st 2021
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beautiful deep ancestral sacred beans
This coffee is like none other. It speaks to my depth gently and comfortably without the jitters and crash of arabicas. I'm so grateful this has been protected and is available to me on the other side of the world
Posted by Lisa Adeva Samoy on Nov 10th 2021
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Batangas knows this is the best
once you drink barako, you can't go backo
Posted by Unknown on Oct 1st 2021
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YES--The Philippines?
Believe it or not--after sampling coffee from around the world, Len's Liberica and Barako coffees are among the best--to say the very least.
Posted by SE Asia Travler on Jul 7th 2021
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Low acid, super tasty
Really enjoy this stuff. Great first cup in A.M. packs plenty of kick.
Posted by Ryan Hudson on Dec 30th 2020
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This is what Ron Swanson drinks
the coffee you drink is the dog from duck hunt. This coffee is Ron Swanson from parks and rec.
Posted by Paul on Feb 14th 2017
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Resources
Featured Region
The Araku Valley of India
India's coffee tradition goes back 400 years or more, when a variety called Kent was first established in the Southern Hills. Arabicas predominated until the blight of 1870, when growers needed to hybridize to resistant varieties. The resultant strains had genes from Liberica and other unique, resistant species. Learn more and browse India's Araku Valley coffees here.