Coffee Species

The two major coffee species prevalent in Runeterra are Coffea shurimica and Coffea sableae. Both species originated in the southern half of Valoran, namely near Shurima and Bandle City, though have since been spread through Runeterra and is now cultivated in several regions.

C. shurimica is the most prevalent species and most preferred for coffee, consisting of 80% of all coffee produced. In comparison to C. sableae, Shurimica coffee tends to be lighter in body more flavorful, and more acidic in taste. It is commonly grown in temperate to sub-tropical climates at high elevation; as a result, the main cultivators of Shurimica coffee are Shurima, Mount Targon, Bilgewater, and Ionia. However, Shurimica coffee plants are much more fragile, requiring more maintenance and processing for a lower yield compared to C. sableae. Shurimica coffee tends to be regarded as higher quality, especially since it imparts more palatable flavors and takes on flavors from its origin very well (more on that in a bit).

C. sableae, more commonly called Bandle coffee, is primarily grown the the area where the Sablestone Mountains meet the Kumungu and the Plague Jungle. Despite the more bitter taste of Bandle coffee, the species can be grown at more temperate climates and lower elevation. Furthermore, Bandle coffee plants are completely resistant to coffee leaf rust, a disease that Shurimica plants are highly susceptible to. In addition, Bandle coffee tends to have 40-50% more caffeine than Shurimica coffee. As a result of the higher caffeine content and lower flavor quality, Bandle coffee is more often used for pharmaceutical purposes and as a substitute for Shurimica in many commercial blends of coffee.

Popular flavors/blends

All coffee, whether it’s Shurimica or Bandle coffee, has a unique flavor based on its origin. There are several notable coffee plantations and farms that are well known in Valoran. While blends of coffees are very common, the most notable coffees are single-origin coffees. Here are some of the more well-known coffees in Valoran.

Bilgewater Blue Flame (Shurimica, single-origin): A medium-bodied coffee with medium acidity grown in Bilgewater. Very popular among coffee elitists, the coffee carries tones of citrus and cocoa.

Rakkori Might (Shurimica, single-origin): Rakkori Might is a very popular blend throughout Valoran. Medium-bodied and bold notes of dark cocoa and red currants, Rakkori Might, especially enjoyed roasted dark, is a well-balanced coffee that many are able to enjoy, but few can drink black.

Randuin’s Ink (Shurimica, single-origin): One of the Kashuld clan’s many claims to fame, Randuin’s ink is rather flavorful than its name would imply. The smooth and full-bodied coffee has earthy and herbal flavors reminiscent of the northern mountains of Ionia it was grown in.

Sablestone (Bandle, single-origin): The embodiment of Bandle coffee itself, the famed Sablestone coffee is incredibly potent, containing upwards to three times the amount of caffeine as a standard Shurimica coffee. Surprisingly, though, the beans picked from Sablestone farms are not as bitter as most bandle coffees, making it the go-to Bandle coffee for regular consumption.

Zaunite Oil (Bandle, blend): Often found in a dissolvable powder form for convenience, Zaunite Black is a highly concentrated coffee. Extremely bitter and extremely strong from the extreme roasting process, this coffee utilizes the highest quality Bandle beans to create a drink that will keep you up for an extra 12-24 hours easily with one cup. That said, it is a rarer blend that is very expensive.

Coffee Culture in Valoran

While many styles of coffee exist, those on the mainland (particularly Demacia, Noxus, Piltover, and Zaun) tend to prefer brewed filter coffee over the more complex methods. While many use a pour-over filter for simplicity’s sake, those with more wealth have bought automated coffee machines, able to brew coffee and steam milk to a user’s specifications.

Coffeehouses in Valoran serve as both a place to buy coffee and a place of gathering. In fact, coffeehouses are a popular place for the politically-minded, serving as places for debates between people. More often than not, however, the patrons of coffeehouses tend to be those who feel the need for a burst of energy to get through the day. With the rising popularity of coffee, chains of coffeeshops, such as Gearbucks, have started popping up, specializing in espresso drinks that are not so easily made at home. Gearbucks is well known for its wide range of options, such as coffee, lattes, tea, energy drinks, smoothies, pastries, sandwiches, salads…

Those living around the Serpentine River do away with unnecessary methods of brewing coffee. They’re fine with whatever kind of coffee they can get their hands on. Just grind it up, throw it in a pot with some water, and boil it until it resembles some kind of coffee. Since the quality of coffee tends to be on the lower side, people will often throw in additional herbs and spices, such as mint or chicory, to flavor the coffee. This particular style of coffee, usually referred to as Kaladouni coffee, is cited as one of the inspirations for Gearbucks’ new drinks (available this coming holiday season!)

Shurimans tend to drink their coffee very strong. In particular Sharihed-style coffee, named after the Sharihed Iibra tribe in southern Shurima, the beans are ground very fine and boiled in water with some sugar (if desired). The coffee is then poured into cups, where the grounds are allowed to settle before consuming. It results in a very strong and smooth cup of coffee with a thick crema (foam) from the boiling process.