Maroon coffee, Mascarene coffee
Coffea mauritiana
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It grows 7 m tall. The leaves are dark green and shiny. They are simple, smooth and opposite. The flowers are white and like stars. They have a smell. They grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are are green then yellow to brown. They turn purple when ripe.
The coffee is low in caffeine. The plant is almost extinct and being protected.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests up to 1,200 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Hawaii, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Mauritius (country/location of origin), Reunion, SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Beans, seeds - drink
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Kopi maskarena, Mauritius coffee