Philippine Liberica, endangered species

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1. Simply WOW! ...but not for everyone!

   The short review is simply that I absolutely love this coffee... but it has no similarity to any other coffee to compare it to, or benchmark against other coffees that would offer a way to describe and... p r e p a r e a novice for the experience of a coffee made with Liberica coffee beans! It is a coffee without comparison - completely unique, and not really quite like any Arabica or Robusta bean coffees that have crossed our palates - unless a person visited or lived in Asia or the Philippines. I now look forward to each cup and wish I had know about this coffee decades ago! That said however...
   I extend a word of caution:
   
   For those interested, I would set a context for my review:
   As part of a military family, I spent a part of my early life in western Europe and had exposure to roasts from the Benelux to the Mediterranean. While the office coffees were the typical large cans of Folgers, Maxwell House, and Chase Sanborn conveyed the continental flavors at boiling hot coffee urns and coffee makers throughout military installations, local coffee shops and cafes offered a more refined experience. As a consequence, I was not satisfied to brew grocery store coffee and didn't reawaken a love for the bean until Gevalia became a subscription option decades ago. Not only did it provide a mail-order path back to familiar tastes and aromas, it also offered taste tests for coffees sourced from around the globe. I even bought my own Italian demitasse Espresso machine wt steamer and dabbled in making specialty coffees at home.
   
   About a year ago, I stumbled across an internet article that pointed out that there are other lesser-known coffee varieties, aside from Robusta and Arabica, like Liberica and Excelsa. How had I missed this? I definitely wanted to give this a try! The problem is that Liberica has all but died out as Arabica and Robusta became the more economically rewarding choices, and even the vast sources of the worldwide web offered few sources pure unblended Liberica and the products were often sold out.
   
   Enter Len's Coffee... I was happy to find that Len's not only offered Liberica as a whole bean, but also in Medium Roast! Dark Roast, blended, and ground is markedly more accessible. My first link to Len's had the product sold out, but persistence paid off, and a short time later I was able to obtain my first pound of Liberica Medium Roast whole beans!
   
   Despite having had untold global varieties of coffees and different brewing methods, I was totally unprepared! The beans are rich and oily. Merely opening the bag, fills the kitchen (and neighboring rooms) with an intense aroma - certainly recognizable as a "coffee" but with something unique and extra. Perhaps "fruity" or even a sweet "musky" signature might give a vague idea, but the item of not is the intensity. I know of no other coffee that exudes this level of presence! I have a lifelong friend with career global deployment history that also developed a palate for new and different coffees and had likewise never heard of Liberica before I introduced him. He ordered a number of Liberica and Liberica blended products from Len's. When I spoke with him next, he described how unprepared he was from the first opening of the bag to the first 1-1 scoop-to-cup strength brew. His description used terms like "intense", "overwhelming", and "eye-watering". He and his wife stated that they liked the Liberica but stated that it was "strong" in a way that isn't typically assumed with coffee - not in caffeine but in the intensity of flavor and aroma.
   
   What these experiences suggest, is to keep an open mind and perhaps begin the introduction to this very unique bean gradually. In the months following, I inquired whether the Liberica coffee was still being brewed, and I was told that it had become a go-to "evening / dessert" brew in small quantities. The point, to which I concur, is that full strength /full pot quantities of pure bean may prove overwhelming and the aroma to intense and pervasive for the as-yet uninitiated.
   
   I fresh grind approximately 1-1/2-2 scoops of Liberica, and supplement another 3 scoops of a German-sourced Arabica Medium Roast as a blend, per 8 cup pot of water. I use a basic 12 cup Melitta #4 filter coffee maker on the slowest drip setting ("Robust") for maximum extraction and convenience. After trying the Liberica first at full strength, I found that this 1/3-1/4 Liberica blend still imparts all the desired coffee notes and character of the Liberica while extending each $30 lb bag to a very economical standard.
   
   In conclusion, I better understand why Liberica is most commonly found for export in blended forms. I recommend buying it already pre-blended from Len's or using Liberica to dramatically enhance the flavor of another preferred grind - at least until a person becomes more acclimated to its uniqueness!

   Posted by Handy's Coffee House on Jul 14th 2025

2. Good coffee

   Excellent, unique, smooth coffee. Unlike any I’ve consumed. Surprising price. Well worth trying.

   Posted by DGM on Aug 14th 2024

3. Excellent coffee

   I wanted to try Liberica coffee, and I'm pleased with it; good rich coffee taste, very smooth with no bitterness.

   Posted by Leisureguy on Jul 18th 2024

4. It's unique.

   Has a taste of licorice. Totally unlike any other coffee I've ever tasted, hard to do it justice by describing it. Also cheaper than any arabica I've seen in a grocery store despite being an endangered variety, yeah "supply chain issues" my ass.

   Posted by SN on Jun 8th 2024

5. Superb. So smooth.

   This coffee is wonderful on its own, but it's also a great bean to experiment with and blend with other coffee, such as the Kopi Luwak, plus the Legendee Classic (Creative 8). I plan to try it with the Saigon Gold as well.
   
   The Liberica is such great coffee. I hope that Len's Coffee can continue to sell it!

   Posted by Michelle on Jul 2nd 2022

6. First time trying Filipino coffee

   As a Filipino, I never knew how rare their coffee really was. Lens Coffee's website is amazing for people who want to know more about coffee and what they are drinking. Liberica is incredible and once I run out (which will be soon) I will buy more. I drink my coffee black and this coffee is a must have before you start the day. I will come back for more!

   Posted by JB on Feb 1st 2022

7. An Eye-Opening Experience

   This coffee is unlike any other, and absolutely INCREDIBLE! If you like dark, smoky, but also fruity coffee, you HAVE to try this!

   Posted by Vic on May 5th 2021

8. 5 stars ^_^

   I brew this pour-over style, and it is a delicious cup everytime.

   Posted by Unknown on Nov 14th 2020

9. outstanding.

   I love this coffee. great taste, great crema.

   Posted by Charley Wright on Apr 14th 2020

10. Hands-down the best!

    Ever since I moved to the US, I had not been able to find the same strong flavor, richness and oomph as the coffee we have back home. I gave up trying to find alternatives and started searching for barako suppliers online when I came across Len’s. You are a life saver! Not only do I actually enjoy every cup of coffee I make, I feel like I’m being hugged from home. All the memories, good times, family love - it’s just pure comfort in a cup. Thank you for making this special coffee available on this side of the world. Truly grateful!

    Posted by Trish on Apr 4th 2020

Showing reviews 1-10 of 12 | Next