Specialty coffee · Worth knowing

The Big Bean plantation in Paloh, Malaysia is reviving the region's Liberica coffee heritage through specialty processing techniques and tourism development. The farm harvests Liberica beans—known locally as elephant beans for their distinctive teardrop shape—and processes them using honey fermentation followed by extended sun drying, with fermentation controlled at 26-29°C over one to two weeks using dehumidifiers to prevent mold. The operation employs pesticide-free cultivation using natural seagrass extracts and partners with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute on the MKL Series to develop climate-resilient, disease-resistant Liberica clones suited for specialty coffee production. Executive director Caryn Lau has studied coffee production and fermentation techniques across Indonesia, Thailand and China to position Liberica—which accounts for less than 2% of global production—as a specialty coffee with distinct floral and fruity characteristics rather than a legacy crop, while the plantation's French barista partner oversees cupping and bean quality standards.

9Barista is a precision-engineered stovetop espresso machine developed in Cambridge that delivers authentic 9-bar extraction using controlled thermodynamics without pumps or electronics, compatible with gas, electric, or induction hobs. The 9Barista shop offers the espresso machines along with accessories including portafilters, baskets, dosing tools, replacement components, premium grinders, and bundles tailored for different user levels, with a focus on repairability and reducing waste.