Meet Excelsa: The Rare Coffee Bean That Might Just Ruin All Other Beans for You
My first sip with Excelsa coffee.
It was a drizzly Tuesday morning, and I’d just finished a cupping session with a few familiar beans when our supplier slid over a mystery sample. “Try this,” he said, with a little grin like he knew something I didn’t.
One sip later, and I literally paused mid-sentence.
"What is this?" I asked.
It wasn’t your usual coffee profile. There was this deep, dark fruit tang, kind of like a roasted cherry meets spiced plum. But it finished clean, almost tea-like. It was unlike anything I’d tasted before. And just like that, I was hooked.
🌱 So… What Is Excelsa?
Excelsa is one of the rarest types of coffee beans out there. It’s technically a variety of Coffea liberica, which already makes it a bit of a unicorn in a world dominated by arabica and robusta. It grows mostly in Southeast Asia (shoutout to some amazing farmers in the Philippines!), and it's known for its wild, complex flavor profile, fruity, tart, a little woody, and always surprising.
Because it's so rare, most folks haven’t had the chance to try Excelsa on its own. It’s often used as a “mystery note” in blends to add depth. But when roasted right and brewed solo? Total game-changer.
💡 Why You Might Actually Need Excelsa in Your Mornings
Let’s be real: your taste buds get bored. You can only drink so much Colombian medium roast before you start craving something new.
Here’s why Excelsa might just shake up your routine in the best way possible:
It’s layered. Each sip hits different. You get fruit, spice, roastiness, and even floral notes in a single cup.
It’s low-acid but still bright. That’s great news if your stomach doesn’t love high-acid coffees.
It pairs well with adventurous breakfasts. Think cinnamon oatmeal, berry compote pancakes, even a slice of banana bread. Excelsa stands up to the flavor party.
And honestly? It just makes your morning feel a little more special.
👩🌾 A Farmer’s Touch: Where Our Excelsa Comes From
Our Excelsa beans come from a small cooperative in Mindanao, Philippines, run by farmers who’ve been cultivating these trees for decades, even when it wasn’t trendy or in high demand. What I love most is how they treat coffee like storytelling. Each harvest reflects the rhythm of the land and the patience of the people who care for it.
One of the lead farmers, Lito, told me over a call, “Excelsa is a quiet tree. But it’s strong. It waits.”
And I felt that. In a world that rushes, Excelsa reminds us to slow down.
🎉 Want to Help Us Choose Our Next Excelsa Roast?
We’re working on two very different roast profiles for our next Excelsa batch, one that brings out the dark fruit notes, and another that leans into the light, tea-like brightness. We’d love your help choosing.
Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send out a sample flight and a quick flavor vote soon. (Spoiler: taste-testers might get something extra in the next drop 👀)
Let’s Make Mornings Worth Savoring
Coffee isn’t just about caffeine. It’s about connection, to the bean, to the people behind it, and to the moment you're in when you take that first sip.
Excelsa is rare. It's weird (in the best way). And it just might become your new favorite morning ritual.
Got a favorite weird-but-wonderful coffee story? Tag us on Instagram or shoot us a message. We love hearing what’s in your mug.
Til the next brew,
