Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and there are hundreds of different varieties of coffee beans that are used to make this beloved drink. Unfortunately, many of these varieties are at risk of going extinct due to factors such as climate change, disease, and deforestation.

Let’s go through the coffees that are already extinct, and why their disappearance is a cause for concern.
Coffea stenophylla
Coffea stenophylla, also known as the Sierra Leone coffee, was once widely cultivated in West Africa. It was known for its unique flavor profile, which was described as having a bright acidity and notes of citrus and jasmine. This exceptional coffee, though, was largely abandoned in the early 20th century due to its low yield, and it is now considered extinct.

Coffea mauritiana
Coffea mauritiana, also known as the Mauritian coffee, was once grown on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It was prized for its smooth and mellow flavor, which was said to have notes of chocolate and caramel. However, the coffee was deserted in the mid-19th century due to competition from other crops. It was left to become extinct.
Coffea bonnieri
Coffea bonnieri, also known as the Bonnier's coffee, was once grown in Madagascar. It was known for its sweet and fruity flavor, which was said to have notes of apricot and peach. Due to competition from other crops, though, it wasn’t tended to as necessary, causing it to become wiped out.

Coffea gallienii
Coffea gallienii, also known as the Gallien's coffee, was once grown in Cameroon and Nigeria. It was known for its rich and complex flavor, which was said to have notes of dark chocolate and blackberry. Unfortunately, the coffee was left to go extinct in the mid-20th century due to competition. See a pattern here? Competition among other crops was a big factor towards the extinction of many varieties of coffee beans – varieties that we would have loved to still see and taste to this day.
Coffea labiata
Coffea labiata, also known as the Gesha coffee, was once grown in Ethiopia. It was known for its delicate and floral flavor, which was said to have notes of bergamot and jasmine. Nevertheless, this particular coffee species had a low yield, and it became extinct in its original form.

The disappearance of these coffee varieties is not just a loss for coffee lovers, but also for biodiversity and cultural heritage. Each coffee variety has its own unique flavor profile, and the loss of these varieties means that we are losing potential sources of new flavors and aromas. Additionally, many of these coffee varieties have cultural and historical significance, and their disappearance represents a loss of cultural heritage.
Furthermore, the loss of coffee varieties is also a concern from a sustainability standpoint. The monoculture of coffee plants makes them more vulnerable to disease and pests, which can have devastating impacts on entire crops. The loss of genetic diversity in coffee also makes it more difficult to breed new varieties that are resistant to climate change and other environmental stresses.

The extinction of these coffee varieties is a cause for concern for the planet as a whole. We need to do more to protect and preserve the biodiversity of coffee, as well as the cultural heritage and sustainable livelihoods that are associated with it. This includes supporting sustainable coffee farming practices, preserving and promoting coffee biodiversity, and investing in research to develop new coffee varieties that are better adapted to the changing climate. By doing so, we can help ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the unique and delicious flavors of coffee that have been enjoyed for centuries.
Thanks for reading, coffee breaksters!