Who wouldn’t agree that coffee is a great way to start your day? In fact, NO day is complete without a cup of coffee – a cup of Philippine coffee.

If you love coffee, then you might be interested to learn a little bit more about this all-time favorite drink. On this blog, we highlight the Philippine coffee, where it came from and the emerging Filipino “coffee culture”. Get to know coffee beans that are specially grown here. You’ll be surprised to learn that different places can actually produce different flavors.

Discover scenic places like Sagada, Benguet, Davao, etc. where the best coffee beans are grown. Be inspired to know about the participation of local farmers, young entrepreneurs as well as the national government in the growth of the coffee industry in the Philippines.

Coffee tasting session in Siargao featuring coffee beans from all over the Philippines

Coffee industry in the Philippines is bright and promising. In fact, the national government has an on-going project called “Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2017-2022”. It aims to boost the country’s annual domestic coffee output from 37,000 metric tons a year to 214,626 metric tons by 2022. According to the roadmap, this will bring the country’s coffee self-sufficiency level to 161% from the current 41.6%. | Source: Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2017-2022

Philippine Coffee Culture: The Coffee Industry in the Philippines

The Philippine coffee industry is growing, both in terms of demand and production.

In fact, the Philippines’ yearly coffee consumption grew from 75,000 metric tons in 2002 to 170,000 metric tons in 2018. The increasing demand for coffee can be associated with its growing popularity across all ages and demographics. The “coffee culture” has now become the “pop-culture”. 

Today, a cup of coffee is no longer just served in the office or at business meetings. And, a coffee shop is no longer just a mundane, sad-looking place – it has become a place where people talk, date, hang out, chill, unwind, study, or a refuge for some quiet alone time. The menu, coffee flavors, concoctions, interior designs and overall sense of a place have also adapted to contemporary time. 

In spite of this growing trend, the country’s coffee production still cannot keep up – averaging at only 37,000 metric tons per year. It falls short of the actual demand of 170,000 metric tons per year. Obviously, there is a big gap between the country’s demand and supply which is then augmented by importing from countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. | Source: Wikipedia

VIDEO: The Philippine Coffee Industry by CNN Philippines

In the Philippines, small farmers grow coffee. They are actually the ones who plant, cultivate, fertilize, produce, and harvest coffee. Without them, the coffee industry is nil. Many entrepreneurs and processors have now realized the value of empowering local communities and creating long-term partnerships with local growers to yield better results. 

The new breeds of young entrepreneurs also helped shape the coffee industry that we know today. Their fresh ideas have elevated the coffee industry in the Philippines by incorporating their innovative ways and creative mechanisms to help increase coffee production. 

Best Coffee Beans are Grown in the “Coffee Belt” 

Our geographical location and climate condition make the Philippines an ideal place to grow quality coffee beans.

It is said that coffee is best grown in areas surrounding the equator. This part of the world is known as the “Coffee Belt” or “Bean Belt”. Countries found in this area have a hot and humid climate with periods of rain, thus creating best conditions for growing coffee.  | Source: Philippine Coffee Board Inc.

The “Bean Belt” and the top coffee producing countries including the Philippines. | Source: vietcoffee.com

Best Coffee Beans in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of the few countries to produce the four main coffee varieties such as Robusta, Arabica, Excelsa and Liberica (Barako).

The four types of coffee beans in the Philippines | Source: Shutterstock | Photo by: stockcreations |  Photo ID: 171293684

Robusta

Robusta coffee is high-yielding and the most common variety grown in the country. It accounted for 69% of total production in 2015 and is mainly used for instant coffee and espresso. It has a sharper flavor and a burnt or woody aftertaste.

Arabica

Next is Arabica, which contributes 24% of total coffee production. Arabica is mostly cultivated in high elevation areas (1000 meters above sea level) and is the most expensive. It is primarily used for brewing or blending. It has a bittersweet taste and floral aroma.

Excelsa

Excelsa accounted for 6% of our total production. Its berries are bigger than Arabica but smaller than Liberica and are considered more drought and pest resistant than other varieties. It has a distinct sweet taste and fruity flavor.

Liberica coffee beans, locally known as “Kapeng Barako”

Lastly, Liberica or Kapeng Barako is Filipino’s favorite coffee and is mostly cultivated in the towns of Batangas, Cavite and Quezon. It has a strong flavor and sharp aroma. It accounted for 1% of total production. | Source: Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2017-2022

Coffee Hotspots and the Philippine Coffee Flavor They Produce

The start of coffee growing in the Philippines began in Batangas, particularly in the city of Lipa which earned them the title “coffee capital of the Philippines”. Today, coffee is not just concentrated in Batangas but is cultivated in areas such as the lowlands as well as mountain regions.

Coffee expert Sam Lewontin said that coffee is very “picky” about where it grows. Most of the highest quality coffee beans are harvested in the high mountains between latitudes 25 degrees north and 30 degrees south. The best coffee beans come from coffee plants that are grown not only in warm, humid tropical environments, but also in high terrain, ideally at 1,500 – 1,600m above sea level. | Source: vietcoffee.com

The following are the places in the Philippines where the best coffee beans are grown:

Sagada

Nestled in the center of the Cordillera region in the northern part of the Philippines, the town of Sagada is a popular destination for travelers who are either thrill-seekers or nature lovers because of its majestic mountains and natural attractions.

Coffee bean flavor: sweet, nutty, and well-balanced, with hints of chocolate and fresh tobacco

Atok and Ampucao, Benguet

Well-loved for idyllic landscape and cold weather, the province of Benguet can be found on the Cordillera region in the northern part of the Philippines

Coffee bean flavor: Well-balanced, with herbal notes and a winey taste

Mt. Kitanglad

Mt. Kitanglad is located in the province of Bukidnon in Mindanao. Showcasing various species of flora and fauna, this inactive volcano was declared as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2009.

Coffee bean flavor: Light and nutty

Mt. Apo

At 2,954 meters, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain and volcano in the Philippines. It is one of the country’s most popular climbing destinations and is located between Davao City and Davao Ddel Sur Province.

Coffee bean flavor: Sweet and earthy with low acidity and medium body.

Mt. Matutum

Mt. Matutum is located in South Cotabato, in the island of Mindanao, in the southern part of the Philippines. The majestic mountain is abundant with lush foliage, making it home of diverse plant and animal species – one of which is the Philippine Eagle.

Coffee bean flavor: Berrylike and spicy, with notes of cardamom and camphor

These locations and their distinctive coffee flavors are according to the coffee masters at Bo’s Coffee – a trusted name in Philippine coffee business.

Indeed, it is interesting to know that different locations can actually produce different flavors. Factors such as thermal condition, overall composition of the area and the kind of plants that are planted together affect the natural taste of the coffee.

Most Expensive Coffee Bean in the World: Civet Coffee

The world’s most expensive coffee bean is not your typical coffee. It is produced by a tree-dwelling animal called Civet which is also commonly found in the Philippines.

Civets are thought to select the ripest and flawless coffee cherries. This selection influences the flavor of the coffee, so as their biological digestive process. As the beans pass through the gastrointestinal tract of the Civet, it undergo a combination of acidic, enzymatic and fermentation treatment. This alters the composition of amino acids and impacts the aroma of the coffee. Their excreted beans are then collected, processed and sold in the market.

Civet Coffee or also known as Kopi Luwak is known as the most expensive coffee in the world with retail prices reaching €550 to US$700 per kilogram. | Source: Wikipedia

The Civet Coffee Roasters, a coffee shop in Cebu, specializes in serving Civet coffee (both drinks and coffee beans) at 30%, 50% and 100% concentration. Their most expensive product is the 100% pure Civet coffee beans sold at Php 13,000 for 100 grams.

Philippine Coffee Shops: Best in the Philippines

The coffee business in the Philippines is in good trends. Today, coffee shops are found in almost every nook. It has definitely become a favorite go-to place for most people, both young and old, wanting to enjoy quality coffee with a tasteful ambiance.

Specialty Coffee Shops: Brewing Authentic Philippine Coffee & are 100% Filipino-owned

Sagada Brew

Sagada Brew is a home-grown coffee shop located in the Mountain Province, in northern Luzon. Have a sip of good coffee right at the source, in Sagada. They specialize in not only coffee, but also a good selection of breakfast and pastries.

El Union Coffee and Roastery, Inc.

Located in the premier surf town of San Juan, La Union, El Union prides itself at serving premium local coffee by the sea. They have partnered with small farmers to grow their coffee and have incorporated the sustainable practices at the core of their business.

Commune Coffee

Commune Coffee is a cafe and a bar that proudly serves Philippine coffee, Filipino comfort food and light meals. Since its opening, Commune has only featured local beans in its menu and plans to keep the spotlight on local coffees. They source their coffee from local farmers, in various coffee-growing areas in the country like Benguet, Sagada, South Cotabato, Kalinga, Davao and Bukidnon.

Commune is about coffee, conversations and community. It’s a community hub, a place where you can make real life connections, where great conversations are started and where ideas are formed. They are located in the commercial hub of Poblacion, Makati City.

Premium Philippine coffee served at Commune

Coffee Brewtherhood

Coffee Brewtherhood is a decent specialty coffee shop in Iloilo City. Their signature drink is called the ”Coco Latte”. This drink hot or cold version and is sure to give you the taste of the tropics with a creamy confection of sweet coconut flavors. Of course, they also serve classic coffee blends.

Dennis Coffee Garden

Dennis Coffee Garden, located in Zamboanga City, has been brewing Sulu Coffee (Kahawa Sug) since 1962. Kahawa Sug is considered the best Robusta harvest in the region. It has real coffee taste – strong but not bitter and most importantly, organic.

The best partner for their native coffee is of course, their native pastries which they locally call “bangbang” – the menu includes corn cake, glutinous rice, potato, banana and so much more. This authentic combination makes up for a real native coffee delight!

Sulu Coffee and native pastries (deep-fried banana and sweet potato) at Dennis Coffee Garden

Popular Coffee Shops

Here are some of the familiar names in the coffee shop business here in the Philippines. This list includes both local and international coffee shops:

Bo’s Coffee

Bo’s Coffee is Filipino-owned and is considered the biggest Filipino coffee shop in the country with a total of one hundred branches nationwide. Bo’s takes pride in promoting Filipino products and culture. They make sure to infuse local design and flavor in every branch thus creating a localized coffee experience for everyone. 

Figaro

The Figaro Coffee Company is a Philippine coffee company and coffeehouse chain that works on a European café concept. They have over 90 outlets worldwide.

Starbucks

Starbucks requires no introduction. It is the biggest name in the coffee industry
worldwide.

Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines

It is an American coffee retailer and wholesaler and a subsidiary of Starbucks.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is an American coffee chain founded in 1963. In the Philippines, it is owned and operated by Jollibee Food Corp. which has its corporate headquarters in Pasig, Philippines

Fast food chains like McDonalds, Donut shops like J.co or Krispy Kreme as well as restaurants also now serve coffee. The coffee varieties usually served are Arabica and Liberica (Barako).

Buy Philippine Coffee Online

Hineleban Foundation 

Buy premium locally-grown coffee harvested from the rich mountain of Mt. Kitanglad. Hineleban Foundation is a good name with a noble purpose. They support indigenous communities in Mindanao by providing livelihood to local farmers. They incorporate sustainable farming practices that help conserve nature. Their organic products include coffee, turmeric, honey, activated charcoal and many more.

The Hineleban coffee products

Coffeeheads.bns

No coffee maker, no problem.

Have a brewed coffee-on-the-go with a drip bag coffee by Coffeeheads.bns. They sell pre-packed ground coffee in drip bags so you can enjoy quality coffee anywhere, anytime – all you need to do is tear the perforated top of the packet, hook it over a cup, pour in hot water and enjoy your drink. They source their coffee from the high mountains of Sagada and are 100% organic.

Drip bag coffee by Coffeeheads.bns

ECHOstore

Have your go-to coffee delivered to your home with ECHOstore. Echostore is a first-of-its-kind online shop that sells an array of eco-friendly and natural products. ECHO is an acronym that stands for Environment & Community Hope Organization STORE.

Sample products of ECHOStore

ECHOstore promotes a sustainable lifestyle by offering a wide spectrum of product lines, including Personal Care and Spa, Pet Care, Home Essentials, Food Supplements, Vegetarian Options, Juice, Tea, Wine and other drinks, Chocolates and a whole lot more. Of course, they also have premium organic coffee – Benguet Peaberry, Barako, Robusta, Arabica and a fusion of Benguet Arabica and Cavite Robusta.

ECHOstore source their products from local communities –  you are assured that the money you spent on buying their locally-produced, all-natural products goes a long long way.

Support Local. Patronize Philippine Coffee

Coffee has become an integral part of every Filipino’s life. We start and end our day with coffee. Enjoying a cup of coffee is probably one of the most important parts of our day. 

Adventure-seekers, coffee-lovers and the like will probably fall in love with the Philippines even more to discover that we are actually one of the few countries that produce premium coffee beans. Have the privilege to have a sip of premium quality coffee while having the best vacation in some of the most beautiful places in the country.

A delightful cup of coffee served at Commune 

Coffee will remain a favorite drink for many because there’s really no other drink quite like it. The taste and aroma of coffee are enough to make our days perfect. May we continue to cultivate and patronize locally-grown coffee because aside from it’s best-tasting, it also helps sustain the livelihood of local farmers.

Perhaps you may also be interested to learn more about our local foods. You can read about the Streetfoods in the Philippines on this blog.

Philippine Coffee and Tourism

The intersection of coffee and tourism is something very exciting. In some areas, coffee bean picking is even made part of farm tourism where guests are given the actual experience of picking, grinding and brewing their own coffee. It is also a great privilege to learn from and interact with local farmers, who are always happy to share the Filipino hospitality to anyone who visits.

Want to include a coffee-tasting or coffee-picking in your next Philippine tour? We certainly know a place. Feel free to leave us a comment or get in touch with us. 🙂