There’s a lot happening in coffee right now. New varieties are being explored, producers are experimenting with fermentation, and we’re learning more about how coffee might need to adapt to a changing climate.
One variety we’ve been particularly excited to get our hands on is Excelsa.
Our latest release is a rare, limited-edition Excelsa microlot from South Sudan. It’s a little different from the coffees you might usually find on our shelves — and that’s exactly why we wanted to share it.
So, what is Excelsa?
Excelsa is a species of coffee that has historically been grouped under the broader Liberica family. It’s much less common than Arabica and Robusta, making it a particularly interesting variety to explore.
And it tastes different, too.
Our South Sudanese Excelsa brings together bright, lighter flavours with deeper, richer notes, creating a cup with plenty of character without feeling overly heavy.
It’s the kind of coffee that rewards curiosity. If you’re used to Arabica, this is a chance to try something that feels familiar enough to enjoy, but different enough to make you stop and think about what’s in your cup.
Around 25% less caffeine
Another thing that makes Excelsa interesting is its caffeine content.
This particular coffee contains around 25% less caffeine than typical Arabica, while still delivering plenty of flavour.
For us, that’s an exciting combination. Lower caffeine doesn’t have to mean compromising on the experience of drinking great coffee.
A variety with potential
Excelsa is also attracting interest because of its potential resilience in a changing climate.
Coffee production faces increasing challenges from rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and coffee diseases. That means exploring a wider range of coffee varieties could become increasingly important for the future of the industry.
Excelsa is naturally suited to warmer conditions and is being explored for its potential to withstand some of the pressures facing coffee production.
It’s still an emerging area of research, and Excelsa isn’t a simple answer to the challenges facing coffee. But discovering and understanding different varieties is an important part of thinking about where coffee goes next.
And that’s one of the reasons we wanted to bring this coffee to you.
Creating opportunities from South Sudan to London
For us, this coffee creates an end-to-end impact.
While we create employment opportunities in London, this coffee does the same for communities 3,600 miles away.
Equatoria Coffee works with 1,500 local farmers, providing seedlings and training to help them grow better coffee and build more sustainable incomes, while creating opportunities for women and young people in the community.
It means there’s a connection between the work we do here in London and the people and communities behind the coffee we source – creating opportunities at both ends of the journey.
There’s another way this coffee creates impact, too. £1 from every bag sold goes to AAFP, supporting their work bringing food and company to people who need it most.
Why we’re excited about it
We love Excelsa because it brings together a few things we’re interested in at Old Spike: great coffee, new ideas, and finding ways for coffee to work a little harder.
It’s rare. It’s different. It has a fascinating future ahead of it.
And, most importantly, it tastes really good.
Our South Sudan Excelsa is available as a limited-edition release, while stocks last.