Coffea stenophylla: A forgotten bean that could save coffee from extinction
Botanist Aaron Davis is seeking Coffea stenophylla, a rare coffee species that may enhance climate resilience. Its rediscovery could aid coffee production amid climate change threats to existing species.
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A botanist named Aaron Davis is on a quest to rediscover Coffea stenophylla, a rare coffee species last seen in the wild in 1954. This species is believed to possess traits that could help coffee plants withstand the challenges posed by climate change, such as drought and heat resistance. Currently, the global coffee supply relies heavily on just two species: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (robusta), both of which are increasingly threatened by changing weather patterns and diseases. Research indicates that climate change could reduce suitable coffee-growing areas by half by 2050, leading to significant production declines, as seen in Vietnam's recent 20% drop. Davis's efforts to locate stenophylla involve collaboration with local farmers in Sierra Leone, where he distributed flyers seeking information about the plant. Although he has not yet found it in the wild, he believes that rediscovering lost coffee species could be crucial for developing new, resilient coffee strains. The historical significance of stenophylla is underscored by its past reputation for superior flavor, which could make it a valuable addition to the coffee industry if it can be cultivated successfully. Davis's work highlights the importance of biodiversity in agriculture and the need for innovative solutions to ensure the future of coffee production.
- Aaron Davis is searching for Coffea stenophylla, a rare coffee species with potential climate resilience.
- The global coffee supply is primarily dependent on two species, both of which face threats from climate change.
- Climate change could halve suitable coffee-growing areas by 2050, impacting production significantly.
- Rediscovering lost coffee species may help develop new, resilient coffee strains.
- Stenophylla is historically noted for its superior flavor, making it a potential asset for the coffee industry.
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- Alternative caffeine sources like yaupon holly are suggested for their drought resistance and potential benefits.
- Concerns are raised about caffeine production in drier climates and its relationship with pest control.
- Some commenters express skepticism about the extinction of current coffee species, attributing crop failures to natural variability rather than climate change.
- Interest in other coffee varieties, such as Liberica and Robusta, which are more resilient to climate challenges.
- General commentary on the broader implications of climate change on agriculture and plant efficiency.
14 commentsIt grows wild all over the SE US and can withstand multi-year drought or regular floods though it does best in a situation where it gets regular rainfall. You may have some in your own yard used as a hedge plant. I have several large trees on my place. It spreads underground by suckers and will take over an area if you do nothing to contain it. It is very strong once it forms a thicket. I have driven across a yaupon thicket in a seismic buggy and been in a situation where none of the tires were touching the ground as I drove because I was crossing a thick tangle of yaupon that supported the vehicle.
Caffeine levels are lower than coffee beans (40-60 mg versus >150 mg I think). Yaupon does also have theobromines, vasodilators, that are supposed to help it prevent the caffeine crash.
I have some leaves dried and drink it make a tea occasionally when I want a boost but not a cup of coffee level boost. It tastes great and is easy to prepare at home.
[0]https://yauponbrothers.com/blogs/news/is-yaupon-better-than-...
There are other sources of information about yaupon holly. It is proposed that the British naturalist who discovered Native Americans using it in their own ceremonies and drinking it casually decided to name it ilex vomitoria not because it was dangerous or poisonous to consume but because since it grew wild in the colonies, it could be a serious competitor to English tea so he used the name to make it less attractive.
Having grown up in a wet climate (Chicago) but now living in a dry one (Utah) I can say that finding a droubt tolerant species which concerns itself with pesticide production may be difficult. The same water which coffee relies on is the same stuff pests rely on to reproduce. My mother was from Utah, and she always lamented at the small size of her flowers growing up in Chicago. They are much larger in Utah because they can get big without insects eating them.
(I say all this as a point of interest, but I don't drink coffee myself.)
James Hoffman did an interesting episode on this bean a few years ago, very cool the work being done.
I’m introducing some plants to a rural community in Panama that had its Robusta crops ruined by the harsh summers we’ve experienced over the past couple of years.
Maybe, but Taiwan and Australia have some of the best coffee these days.
Literally everything is blamed on climate change these days. Too much snow? Climate change. Too little snow? Also climate change.
A few years ago I was climbing Mont Blanc and the rockfall due to a warmer winter was blamed on climate change, then a few years later: near-record snow. It’s taking on religious overtones: rather than things happening because it’s God’s will — now it’s “climate.”
I am not denying that the climate changes, I am only calling out that literally every mishap in the natural world is being blamed on it. There is a lot of money in that business.
Dry biomass growth is ~1kg/m^2/year, wet maybe 4-5x that. But they see ~1m of rainfall, so 1000kg/m^2/year of water. The roots fail to take up some, but the rest seems to be ~99% lost due to transpiration (some of which is necessary for heat stress and/or pump up nutrients).
Maybe after C4 rice we can get C4/CAM coffee?
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Kenya's coffee industry is declining due to inferior hybrid cultivars, an exploitative auction system, delayed payments, and reduced land for cultivation, leading to over a 70% production drop since the 1980s.
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