Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges

<i>Coffea arabica</i> (Arabica) and <i>C. canephora</i> (Robusta, Conilon) have satisfied the requirements of the coffee sector for the last 125 years. In the face of myriad challenges, most notably climate change, the coffee species crop portfolio requires diversification to...

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Main Author: Aaron P. Davis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-07-01
Series:Proceedings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/109/1/4
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author Aaron P. Davis
author_facet Aaron P. Davis
author_sort Aaron P. Davis
collection DOAJ
description <i>Coffea arabica</i> (Arabica) and <i>C. canephora</i> (Robusta, Conilon) have satisfied the requirements of the coffee sector for the last 125 years. In the face of myriad challenges, most notably climate change, the coffee species crop portfolio requires diversification to ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee production. In addition, the specialty coffee sector relies on continual diversification and creativity to satisfy the requirements of its adherents, including the enrichment and diversification of the sensory experience. In this contribution, a review is presented on the status of ‘other’ coffee species to supplement <i>C. arabica</i> and <i>C. canephora</i>, based on research and first-hand experience. The aim is to address misinformation (e.g., global production figures, yields, climate tolerances, and cup profiles) concerning wild and ‘other’ species, identify opportunities, and highlight constraints. In the short-term, Libericoid coffee species, including <i>C. liberica</i> (Liberica) and <i>C. dewevrei</i> (Excelsa) coffee, offer substantial opportunities, especially for climate resilience. Over the longer term, other species (such as <i>C. stenophylla</i>) and inter-species hybrids offer considerable promise. Unlike <i>C. arabica</i> and <i>C. canephora</i>, research and development for other <i>Coffea</i> crop species is in its infancy and will require significant development. One of the other major constraints for <i>Coffea</i> crop species development is access to genetic resources. In the face of climate change, the coffee breeding challenge is now more demanding than ever.
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spelling doaj-art-4bb5695812f44201894a893e76520e282025-08-20T02:43:54ZengMDPI AGProceedings2504-39002024-07-011091410.3390/ICC2024-18155Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated ChallengesAaron P. Davis0Crops & Global Change, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey TW9 3AE, UK<i>Coffea arabica</i> (Arabica) and <i>C. canephora</i> (Robusta, Conilon) have satisfied the requirements of the coffee sector for the last 125 years. In the face of myriad challenges, most notably climate change, the coffee species crop portfolio requires diversification to ensure the long-term sustainability of coffee production. In addition, the specialty coffee sector relies on continual diversification and creativity to satisfy the requirements of its adherents, including the enrichment and diversification of the sensory experience. In this contribution, a review is presented on the status of ‘other’ coffee species to supplement <i>C. arabica</i> and <i>C. canephora</i>, based on research and first-hand experience. The aim is to address misinformation (e.g., global production figures, yields, climate tolerances, and cup profiles) concerning wild and ‘other’ species, identify opportunities, and highlight constraints. In the short-term, Libericoid coffee species, including <i>C. liberica</i> (Liberica) and <i>C. dewevrei</i> (Excelsa) coffee, offer substantial opportunities, especially for climate resilience. Over the longer term, other species (such as <i>C. stenophylla</i>) and inter-species hybrids offer considerable promise. Unlike <i>C. arabica</i> and <i>C. canephora</i>, research and development for other <i>Coffea</i> crop species is in its infancy and will require significant development. One of the other major constraints for <i>Coffea</i> crop species development is access to genetic resources. In the face of climate change, the coffee breeding challenge is now more demanding than ever.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/109/1/4Arabica coffeeRobusta coffeeLiberica coffeeExcelsa coffeeStenophylla coffeespecies
spellingShingle Aaron P. Davis
Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
Proceedings
Arabica coffee
Robusta coffee
Liberica coffee
Excelsa coffee
Stenophylla coffee
species
title Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
title_full Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
title_fullStr Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
title_full_unstemmed Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
title_short Beyond the Orthodoxy: An Overview of the Potential of ‘Other’ Coffee Species for Crop Use and Their Associated Challenges
title_sort beyond the orthodoxy an overview of the potential of other coffee species for crop use and their associated challenges
topic Arabica coffee
Robusta coffee
Liberica coffee
Excelsa coffee
Stenophylla coffee
species
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/109/1/4
work_keys_str_mv AT aaronpdavis beyondtheorthodoxyanoverviewofthepotentialofothercoffeespeciesforcropuseandtheirassociatedchallenges