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Arabica coffee is in danger of extinction?

Published: 2026-02-22 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/02/22, According to a report by Taiwan's Zhongguang net on May 26, more than 25 million families make a living by growing coffee beans after drinking 2 billion cups of coffee a day. Over the past 15 years, coffee consumption has increased by 43%. However, the study warns that the Arabica coffee beans that most people drink are in danger of extinction. Although there are 124 known varieties of coffee, only two are the largest.

According to a report by Taiwan's Zhongguang net on May 26th, the world drinks 2 billion cups of coffee every day, and more than 25 million families make a living by growing coffee beans. Over the past 15 years, coffee consumption has increased by 43%. However, the study warns that the Arabica coffee beans that most people drink are in danger of extinction.

Although there are 124 known varieties of coffee, only two of the largest are Arabica and Robasda. Robastar, which accounts for 30% of the world's production, is mainly used to make instant coffee. As its name gives the impression, Robastar is a stronger plant, but it is not nearly as supple and fragrant as Arabica.

Arabica is the main driving force behind the progress of the coffee industry, but its plants are fragile and have limited tolerance to climate, especially to changes in temperature and rainfall. Arabica, which originated in Ethiopia rather than Arabia, was not recognized until the end of the 19th century. Coffee is described by scientists as an "orphan crop", and there are only about 40 coffee breeders in the world. Rich countries only buy, bake and drink, and it was not until recently that they thought that they should do their part in the conservation of coffee species.

It was a British study that awakened them, the report said. Three years ago, British botanists warned that climate change would lead to a sharp decline in Arabica coffee production, which is expected to fall by 85%, or even 99.7%, by 2080. If we don't try to fix it soon, we will never see the wild Arabica again in the native Ethiopia of Arabica before the end of this century.

It is reported that the research report has caused great tension around the world, and the research team at the Royal Botanical Gardens is working with the Ethiopian government to try to save Arabica. (trainee Editor: si Yijie Review: Cheng Junqiu)