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| The Barako
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| Throughout this site, you will hear a lot of reference to the Barako and how it could be the ticket to the revival of the local coffee industry. But just what is the Barako, anyway?
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| Barako Defined
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 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.
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| The Plight of the Barako
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| Barako has an annual export volume of 1,200 bags, valued at $.15 million. Most of it goes to Saudi Arabia. Sadly, today, Barako is on its way to extinction.
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WE NEED TO PLANT 100,000 BARAKO TREES WITHIN
THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR IT TO SURVIVE.
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Since its launch in 1999, the Figaro Foundation has tirelessly organized events and activities in an effort to bring to the fore the plight of the coffee industry and the Barako.
| There is much we need to do to save both the Barako and the local coffee industry. We need as much support as we can get. The country needs as much support as you can give.
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How You Can Help
What is Being Done
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