Small robusta and liberica producer best known for kopi, a dark-roasted, caramelised coffee traditionally filtered through a cloth sock.
Malaysia's best-known coffee style is kopi, made from robusta and liberica beans that are roasted twice, the second time with melted butter and sugar until caramelised. Kopi is traditionally brewed by pouring hot water slowly through a cloth sock filter, and mamak stalls often add a heavy pour of condensed milk. The British expanded coffee plantations in the colonial era, and by the 19th century the crop was established in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca. Johor grew liberica, a rarer species with a fruity, woody flavour profile. Single-origin Sabah arabica now appears in specialty cafes.
History
The British expanded coffee plantations in the colonial era, and by the 19th century the crop was established in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca. Johor grew liberica. Robusta later became the mainstream crop across Southeast Asia, and Malaysia developed kopi, a robusta and liberica blend roasted with butter and sugar.
Field notes
- i
Malaysian roasters double-roast robusta and liberica beans, the second time with melted butter and sugar until caramelised.
- ii
Johor grew liberica, the rarest of the four main coffee species, with a fruity, woody flavour profile.
- iii
By the 19th century coffee was established in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca.
Where it growsEquatorial Southeast Asia. Coffee has been grown in Johor and other peninsular states, and arabica in Sabah.
Regions of Malaysia
-
Southern peninsular state where British-era plantations grew liberica, a rarer species with a fruity, woody profile.
Sources · 1 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-11. Some details here are less settled than others.
- From kampung to café: The story of Malaysian coffee culture · Citizens Journal