Kapeng Barako
Kailan ka ga huling nakahigop ng kapeng barako?
Tuwing uuwi ako sa Cuenca ay lagi akong bumibili ng galpong doon sa palengke. Gustong-gusto ko yung amoy ng bagong giling na kape, napakabango at sadyang mas masarap kaysa sa kape galing sa Nestle. 
Pero mukhang kakaunti na rin ang kapehan doon sa amin sa Cuenca. Madami kaming puno ng kape noon sa likod bahay pero ngayon ay wala na kahit isa. Bihira na rin ang may puno ng kape sa mga kapitbahay namin.
Ano ba talaga ang kapeng barako?
While the Barako has become a generic name for all coffee from Batangas, real Barako refers to Philippine Liberica and is known for its particularly strong taste, powerful body and distinctly pungent odor. “Barako,” in the vernacular, is a colloquial term referring to male strength and machismo. As such, particularly strong-tasting coffee is often identified as barako by the locals. Historically, it takes its name from "barako," the Tagalog word for wild boar, because these creatures are rather fond of dining on the plant's leaves and berries.
Of the four identified species of coffee (Robusta, Excelsa, Arabica and Liberica), Liberica has the largest cherries and therefore, bigger beans. Liberica can thrive in comparatively lower altitudes and is now predominantly grown in Cavite.[Source]
Two hundred years ago, the Philippines was one of the world's top coffee producers. Today, the Barako coffee plant is on its way to extinction. To learn more about the plight of our local Coffee Industry and How You Can Help, click here.
Syempre pa, huwag ding kaligtaang panoorin ang Barako the Movie. :-)
