Table of contents
Gabon
$ 0.07 - $0.4 per ounce
| Varieties | Robusta |
| How to Serve | Usually served as black coffee |
| Flavor | High in acidity and bitterness |
| Recommended Machine | Pourover |
| Good As | Americano, Lungo |
| Price Range | $0.07 – $0.4 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.7% on average |
Have you ever heard of Gabon coffee? While this is a small country with no more than 1.5 million people living in it, you can definitely discover some interesting facts about its coffee industry. Let’s start with the background – the Gabon coffee sector has struggled during the previous three decades as a result of the country’s emphasis on oil and mineral deposits to produce revenue for the economy, with minimal government assistance for coffee production.
When global coffee prices fell dramatically at the beginning of the 21st century, many prospective coffee growers relocated to cities, causing the country’s coffee production and coffee bean quality to plummet. Many Gabonese coffee estates have been totally abandoned, while others have been neglected.
Currently, coffee in Gabon mostly comes from small farms. Recently, the country started to invest in coffee cultivation – This is generally a response to rising global demand and increased coffee prices. Right now, the main variety you will be able to discover in Gabon is Robusta. That’s the main reason why Gabonese initiatives are also aiming to improve the quality of the country’s Robusta coffee so that it can compete in the specialty coffee market. In this guide, we will be talking about everything you need to know about the country’s coffee production.
Did you know that Gabon’s humid tropical environment and fertile volcanic soils are suitable for coffee cultivation, allowing for two coffee crops each year? However, despite the country’s nature being the superpotential for coffee production, this product is still not cultivated for export. Gabon coffee production in 2016 was only 66,000 lbs, and there has been very little improvement.
Currently, small plantations provide the majority of Gabon coffee. Recent investments in coffee cultivation in Gabon are a response to rising global demand and increased coffee prices, which give an incentive to make the necessary investments. We hope that in near future, Gabon will have a lot more regions where this beverage will be produced, so coffee lovers are able to get top-quality Gabon coffee beans easily, without the need to look for alternatives. But, for now, alternatives are the only way.
As we already mentioned at the beginning of our guide, coffee production has decreased in recent years, that’s why finding Gabon coffee capsules might not be an easy task. Therefore, it’s best to just try and find alternatives. Below are the countries which produce the most similar-tasting coffee as Gabon.
| Vietnamese Coffee | Rwanda Coffee | Congo Coffee | Burundi Coffee |
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In order to help you make the best possible choice, we will do individual overviews for alternatives to the best Gabon coffee, stating all the important facts and features about each of them. That way, you can make sure whether a specific product suits your interests and is worth your time, money, and attention. So, let’s get started!
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Price: $$13.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 8 ounces |
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Type: Liberica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Len’s Coffee |
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Beans: Whole |
The first on our list is Philippine Liberica Len’s Coffee. Few interesting facts about the product itself: This one here contributes a lot to the recovery of endangered species. Liberica is a type of coffee that had largely disappeared by 1995 and was only saved from extinction by a concentrated effort in the Philippines. After brewing, the flavor profile of this coffee varies constantly, much like a fine glass of red wine.
If you’ve never tasted Liberica coffee, you should know that it has a distinct flavor that is different from Arabica coffees. In my experience, there are no in-betweens – you either like it or you don’t. The beans of this coffee are bigger than usual, and the flavor is pretty interesting! This one is definitely stronger tasting than Arabica. Keep in mind that Liberica has more caffeine than ordinary coffee so you might only need a tiny cup of it to begin your day with a fresh start.
If you want to buy Gabon coffee and have not found the one yet, then I definitely recommend going for Philippine Liberica Len’s Coffee – One package of it costs $13.95 which is nothing compared to the quality that you get.
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Price: $$28.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 8 ounces |
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Type: Barako |
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Roast: Medium-Dark |
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Producer: Benguet Gold Coffee |
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Beans: Whole |
Benguet Gold Premium Coffee comes from theBenguet highlands in the Philippines. This one is also made from Liberica beans, which makes your coffee taste something different from the ordinary ones you have had before. From what I have tasted, I can say that the flavor profile of this one is smokey, nutty, flowery, with notes of dark chocolate and fruit. The main reason why this product can be a good replacement for Gabon coffee flavors is its silky aftertaste and lingering taste of dark chocolate.
I need to mention the fact that for the price that this coffee comes with, I expected a little more quality. For instance, the packaging is not impressive at all. Although the taste is interesting, there are a lot of other products that come at a lower price. For an 8-ounce package, you will have to pay $28.95 – this can be justified by the fact that Liberica beans are very unique and account for less than 2% of global coffee production.
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Price: $$13.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 8.8 ounces |
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Type: Bourbon |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Gorilla’s Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
The next one is Gorilla’s Coffee Arabica Bourbon. Gorilla’s Coffee is supplied from farmer cooperatives who cultivate coffee at high altitudes on fertile volcanic soil. “Beyond Fair Trade” guarantees that coffee farmers share in the value of the coffee you buy. This product is a sublimely wonderful coffee from Rwanda, also called the Land of a Thousand Hills.
This medium-ground coffee is available in 8.8-ounce packages and costs $13.99. As for the taste, in your cup, you will be able to identify the taste of dark chocolate, spice, and hints of different fruits. I have tested different brewing methods with this one and the pour-over technique seems to be the best one so far. I would also recommend adding milk in case you love your coffee sweet.
In terms of acidity, this Arabica Bourbon comes with low acidity, so you don’t have to worry about health problems that might be related to high acidity in coffees. Due to the fact that most coffee cherries in Gabon are Robusta type, this might not be a great replacement but you will definitely not be disappointed by the taste.
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Price: $$17.00 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Kivu |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: GoCoffeeGo |
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Beans: Whole |
Congo Kivu Medium Roast is one of the freshest coffee that you will be able to get from Amazon. This whole bean, medium roast beans come with the flavor of milk chocolate and additionally has a lasting finish and balanced richness.
One interesting thing about this coffee is that it is produced by a small business called GoCoffeeGo. GoCoffeeGo itself is supported by SOPACDI – that is a coffee co-op, created back in 2002, located on Lake Kivu. This one has designed a special program to help people with business skills to create their own farms. That is exactly how it became possible for this company to create their own coffee, so by purchasing it, you will also be supporting the brand itself.
You should not expect something extraordinary from this product, however, it will definitely provide a lot to your coffee drinking experience. From the first sip, you will be able to feel tones of milk chocolate. I tried adding milk to it as well, and the flavor was pretty good. Among alternatives to Gabon coffee names, this one definitely is worth trying.
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Price: $$13.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Kinyovu |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Airis Store |
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Beans: Whole |
One more important thing is that this coffee brand is owned by women and is certified by IWCA (also known as International Women’s Coffee Alliance). By purchasing it, you will support a global network of self-organized, self-governing, women-led chapters.The last on our list is Burundi Kinyovu Air Roasted coffee. One thing you should know about this product is that it uses advanced air-roasting technology – This allows companies to create the most evenly-roasted beans without burning or scorching and additionally, it helps beans to contain the brightest and purest flavor notes imaginable. Sounds interesting, right?
As for the coffee itself – it comes with floral notes that are very present in the taste, meaning that it is almost impossible to not feel it. The pricing is super competitive for the quality that you get. However, I should also mention the fact that this one is not intended for use in a drip coffee machine since it will ruin the flavor and make it no better than regular coffee. Other than that, this is my favorite alternative to Gabon coffee due to its price and high quality.
So, how do you like your coffee made? I have met people with different preferences – some love to brew their coffee by hand, as it gives them the ability to have more control over the strength and flavor. Others enjoy buying coffee machines, simply clicking the “start” button, and walking away. However, it is important to note that the method you decide to choose will influence the taste of your coffee. Considering that Gabon coffee beans are mostly robusta, you will most likely buy an instant coffee version of it, so a pour-over is more than enough.
Pour over is one of the easiest ways for brewing your coffee – This method is also used by a lot of coffee shops. Due to the fact that you only need few simple items and there is no machine in your way, you can easily use this method at your home. Here’s what you are going to need:
Once you have all these things, it is time to start your brewing process. Follow these simple steps listed below so you are able to make a perfect cup of coffee that you will not even be able to find at the Gabon coffee shop.
Another alternative for brewing your coffee can be using a drip machine. A drip machine is a simple tool that can be found in your local shops and in many other places as well. This method is even easier than the pour-over technique. All you need to have is:
If you are sure that you have all of these things at home, then you are ready to dive into the process of making a tasty cup of coffee for yourself. Just follow these simple steps and you’re good to go:
