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There’s something deeply personal about a cup of coffee. It’s more than just a morning ritual or an energy booster—it’s a reflection of culture, tradition, and identity. For the people of Batangas, Kapeng Barako is all of that and more. It’s bold, distinct, and proudly local—just like the Batangueños themselves. If you’ve ever wondered how a humble coffee bean could come to symbolize the heart and soul of an entire province, Mapping Out the Batangueño Identity: The Batangas Kapeng Barako is the book that tells that story.
Written by Jose A. Alilio, RAG, MBA, and Lionel E. Buenaflor, PhD, the book explores the rich tapestry of coffee’s history—from its ancient roots to its modern-day influence. It delves into the journey of coffee across continents and how it found fertile ground in the Philippines, particularly in Batangas, which became a central hub for cultivation. This paved the way for the emergence of a unique variety of Coffea Liberica: Kapeng Barako.
The book doesn’t stop at history. It explores the many uses of Kapeng Barako, its cultural significance, and its deep connection to Batangueño life. I appreciate how well-researched and well-written the book is, from the global history of coffee to detailed information about different coffee beans. It’s not your typical academic book filled with scientific jargon that can be difficult to understand or boring to read. The authors present the history of coffee clearly and engagingly, introducing various types of beans with information that is easy to grasp. This makes the book both informative and enjoyable to read.
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, this book is a must-read. If you’re planning to start a coffee business and looking for a type of coffee that suits your taste—or you want to discover a unique variety— this book provides comprehensive information on flavor profiles, bitterness, acidity, body, caffeine content, and common uses of different coffee beans from around the world. The book is now readily available for purchase at the Batangas Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.
My history teacher once said, “To understand the present, you need to understand the past”. The same applies to coffee and Kapeng Barako as a symbol of Batangueño identity—we must learn its history. This book presents that history in an informative and chronological manner. Each section is well-organized, making it easy to follow and digest. The inclusion of images also helps make the book more engaging, as a wall of text can sometimes overwhelm or bore the reader.
Overall, this book taught me a great deal about coffee, especially Kapeng Barako. As both a coffee lover and a Batangueño, it deepened my appreciation for Kapeng Barako. It gave me a new perspective: Kapeng Barako is not just a staple coffee for Batangueños, but a symbol of our resilience and identity. We cannot separate Kapeng Barako from who we are as people from Batangas. Lastly, I realized that even though Batangueños may differ in personality or culture depending on their community, Kapeng Barako is something that unites us—a cup of coffee that brings people together.
Written by: Joshua Roldan
Photo by: WOWBatangas & BPTCAO
