Bengal coffee
Coffea benghalensis

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is slender and branching. The leaves are glossy green. They are opposite and oval and tapering to the tip. The flowers are star shaped and white. They have 5 petals. The fruit are red berries. They have 2 seeds.

There are about 40 Coffea species. Probably not used as coffee.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is best in well-composted, well-drained, moist soil. It grows up to 700 m above sea level. It needs a protected position and in part shade. It is damaged by frost or drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The seeds are used for coffee.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds - drink

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Chaiti phjul, Chitu, Kafi, Kathjahi, Kopi bengal, Morichi-kat, Zalat-pyu

Synonyms

Coffea floreifoliosa A. Chev.; Coffea semiexserta Colebr. ex Roxb.; Psilanthus benghalensis (Roxb. ex Schult.) J.-F. Leroy