It has naturally low levels of caffeine, less than half of that found in Coffea arabica, and a quarter of that in Robusta coffee.

Coffea racemosa is endemic to the coastal forest belt between northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Zimbabwe, found in an area less than 150 km2 (58 sq mi) in size.

[2] It was widely cultivated by the Portuguese during the 1960–1970s in Mozambique; currently there are only two plantations, at Ibo Island and in Hluhluwe, which remain.

[3] Coffea racemosa is an open-branched shrub or small tree growing up to 3.5 m (11 ft) tall.

It has white to pinkish singular flowers (2 cm (1 in) in diameter) or in few-flowered clusters along the branches, which bloom between September and February.