Mozambique coffee
Coffea racemosa

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small much-branched tree. It grows up to 6 m high. It often has a single stem. The leaves are shiny and in opposite pairs. They are 9 cm long by 6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped. They narrow to both ends. The edges are somewhat wavy. The flowers are 1.6 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are white with twisted petals. They occur in groups in the axils of leaves towards the ends of branches. The fruit are oval or round and about 1 cm long. They are red when ripe and contain 2 seeds. The seeds are grooved like other coffee beans.

There are about 40 Coffea species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs at low altitude in hot dry woodland and on rocky outcrops. It can be along rivers and in dune forest. They are hardy and resistant to disease.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted, ground and used as coffee.

They are exported from Mozambique. It is a commonly used fruit in Mozambique.

Edible parts

Seeds - coffee

How it is grown

Plants are cultivated.

Its other names

Local names

Inhambane coffee, Wild coffee

Synonyms

Coffea mozambicana DC.; Coffea swynnertonii S. Moore;