Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,000 islands, where climate, topography and geology varies wildly.
This diversity means it is possible to grow Arabica, Robusta, Liberica (Philippine Liberica is called Kapeng Barako) and Excelsa, making it one of the few countries currently producing the four main species of commercially-viable coffee.
Coffee was first introduced in the Philippines from Mexico as early as 1730 when a Franciscan friar planted the first coffee tree in Lipa, Batangas.
Coffee production was promoted by Augustinian friars, Benito Vara and Elias Nebreda, in other parts of Batangas including Tanauan, Ibaan, San Jose, Lemery, and Taal.
Coffee plantations became a crucial foundation of the economy of Batangas. Eventually, Lipa was labeled as the coffee capital of the Philippines.
