Coffee is produced in various regions across the world, these can be grouped as the America, Africa-Arabia, and Indonesia. Inside of these three regions the coffee plant grows in around 80 different countries with Brazil begin the largest grower. In these countries, coffee can grow at anywhere from sea level to 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) in lots of different types of soil and local climates. The higher quality coffees need more exacting conditions however.
These coffees need to be at high altitudes, between 4,000 to 6,000 feet (1,219 to 1,828 meters) and only grow in select mountainous regions between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. They also need around 80 inches (203cm) of rainfall annually, and the rainy and dry seasons must come in set periods.
The soil must be very fertile and is often volcanic as this is rich in nutrients and generally considered the best type of soil for crowing crops. Finally the average temperature must be held around 60-70°F(15-21°C) which by tropical standards is quite cool. This lower temperature means the growing period is longer, which leads to denser crops and a more intense flavour. Coffee grown outside of this area and at lower altitude still produces good coffee but tends to have a more simple taste without the intense flavour of the higher grown beans.
From humble origins in Africa, coffee cultivation wandered both east and west, eventually forming a coffee belt roughly bounded by the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Coffee growing regions typically offer moderate sunshine and rain for most of the year, steady daily temperatures around 70ºF (20ºC), and generally very rich but porous soil. In return for the sunshine and good soil the delicate coffee tree yields coffee beans that are an economic mainstay for dozens of countries and about 25 million people and, among natural commodities, have a monetary value surpassed only by oil. Of the two main coffee trees, arabicas produce the better coffee beans and about 70 percent of the harvest. The harsher coffee beans of the hardier robusta coffee tree account for about 30 percent of the coffee harvest.
Brazil
Brazil grows roughly a third of the world's coffee. Much of the specialty from brazil is known by the name of the port through which it is shipped, Santos. Bourbon Santos and Brazil Cerrado are widely used as a base for quality espresso blends. Brazilian coffee is commonly dry-processed.After arriving from French Guiana in the early 18th century, coffee quickly spread and thrived in Brazil. Today Brazil is responsible for about a third of all coffee production, making it by far the heavyweight champion of the coffee-producing world. Though many connoisseurs believe that Brazil’s emphasis on quantity takes a toll on quality, many also praise the country’s finer varieties. Brazil is the only high-volume producer subject to frost. Notable Beans: Bahia, Bourbon Santos.
ColombiaColombia typically produces about 1/10th, or more, of the worlds coffee. Colombia now ranks third after Vietnam and Brazil in production of coffee beans. The bulk of Colombian coffee is high quality, and the Colombia has marketing its product well via the character Juan Valdez. Colombian coffees are processed using the wet method. Colombian coffee is grown along three northern Andes mountain ranges which trisect Colombia from north to south. Colombian coffees are typically mild and balanced with good body and flavor. Colombia is the only South American country with both Atlantic and Pacific ports—an invaluable aid to shipping. The crop’s economic importance is such that all cars entering Colombia are sprayed for harmful bacteria. Colombia’s coffee grows in the moist, temperate foothills of the Andes, where the combination of high altitude and moist climate makes for an especially mild cup. Notable Beans: Medellin, Supremo, Bogotá.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the birthplace of the Arabica tree, and wild coffee cherries are still harvested by tribes people in its mountains. In Eastern Ethiopia, coffee trees are grown at elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet on small plots and farms. These coffees may be called Longberry Harrar (large bean), Shortberry Harrar (smaller bean) or Mocha Harrar (peaberry or single bean). They are all cultivated simply, processed by the traditional dry method, and are no doubt organic. Ethiopian Harrar is characterized by winy and blueberry undertones, with good body and acidity. Eastern Ethiopia produces a washed coffee called Ghimbi, or Gimbi, that has the winy undertones of Harrar, but can be richer, more balanced, and has a heavier body and longer finish. Southern Ethiopia produces washed coffees with fruity acidity and intense aromas. These coffees are known by the names of the districts in which they are produced, such as Sidamo, or by terms like Ethiopian Fancies or Ethiopian Estate Grown. The most famous of these coffees is Yirgacheffe, which has a pleasant fruity acidity and elegant body.
Costa RicaCosta Rica has excellent coffee growing conditions and certainly produces some of the best coffees in the world. High grown coffees from the mountains of Costa Rica are typically bright, crisp, and clean with good body and a fruity acidity. Notable coffee growing regions include Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá, and Alajuela.
Dominican Republic
IndiaCoffees produced in India have more in common with Indonesian coffees than with coffees from Africa or the Arabian peninsula. Good Indian coffees are grown in the states of Karnatka (formerly Mysore), Kerala, and Tamilnadu (formerly Madras). In good years these coffees may contain acidity typical of Guatemalan coffee, and the full body of a good Javanese coffee. These coffees are known for their unique spicy flavors of nutmeg, clove, cardamom, and pepper. India also produces monsoon coffees, in which the green beans have been exposed to moisture-laden monsoon winds blowing through open warehouses during India's rainy season. This process reduces acidity and enhances sweetness, making them similar to Indonesian aged coffees.
El Salvador
GuatemalaSome of the worlds finest specialty coffee is produced in the central Highlands of Guatemala. The most famous regional marketing names for Guatemala coffees are: Antigua, Coban, and Huehuetenango. High quality Guatemalan coffees are produced using the wet-process method, and typically have spicy or chocolatey acidity and medium body. Guatemalan coffee is often marketed by grade, with the highest grade being strictly hard bean (SHB), which indicates coffees grown at 4,500 feet or above. A secondary grade is hard bean (HB), designating coffees grown between 4,000 and 4,500 feet. These designations reflect the fact that coffee beans grown at higher elevations tend to be denser and harder than coffee beans grown at lower elevations.
HondurasHonduras shares a border with Guatemala and Nicaragua. The finest Honduran coffees are sweet, mild, and full bodied.
IndonesiaIndonesia is the world's fourth largest producer of coffee. However, a majority of the crop is Robusta, and the amount of quality beans available for the specialty coffee industry is limited. Even though they are a somewhat small percentage of total production, Arabica coffees from this region are considered some of the best in the world, and are prized for their richness, full body, long finish, earthiness and gentle acidity.
Jamaica
Jamaica is home to one of the world's most controversial coffees, Jamaican Blue Mountain. The best Blue Mountain coffee is characterized by a nutty aroma, bright acidity and a unique beef-bouillon like flavor. Jamaican High Mountain is a term that applies to coffees of lesser quality grown at a low altitudes compared to Jamaican Blue Mountain. Jamaica High Mountain and Jamaica Blue Mountain coffees are produced by the wet-process.
KenyaKenya has a reputation for exporting high quality coffee beans. Most coffees in Kenya are cultivated on very small farms, and the growers are rewarded with high prices for high quality beans. The main growing region in Kenya extends from south of Mt. Kenya to near the capital of Nairobi. Coffee from Kenya is generally wet-processed and classified by bean size, with Grade AA signifying the largest beans, followed by grades A and B. Coffee from a single Kenya coffee estate, called Estate Kenya, can cost twice as much as regular Kenya AA. Estate Kenyas rank with the finest coffees in the world and are known for having tremendous body, astounding winy acidity and black-current flavor and aroma.
Mexico
Mexico produces large quantities of coffee often used for dark roasts and blending. The state of Vera Cruz produces mostly average coffees in its low laying regions, but in its mountains near the city of Coatepec a specialty coffee called Altura Coatepec is produced. These high grown, or altura, coffees tend to be light bodied and nutty, with a chocolatey brightness. Altura Orizaba and Altura Huatusco are other fine coffees produced in Vera Cruz. The state of Oaxaca in the central mountains also produces very good coffees, referred to as either Mexico Oaxaca or Oaxaca Pluma. Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border, produces some impressive coffees as well. Coffees from Mexico are wet processed.
NicaraguaNicaragua is located in Central America and shares a border with Honduras and Costa Rica. Very fine specialty coffee is produced in the mountains of Nicaragua. The most famous regional marketing names are: Matagalpa, Jinotega, and Segovia. The highest quality Nicaragua coffees have rich flavor, mild fruity brightness, and full body.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (PNG) Coffee is cultivated on small plantations in the mountain highlands, and is processed using the wet method. Two of New Guinea's most famous coffees are Sigri and Arona. PNG coffee is typically well-balanced with a fruity aroma and earthy body, and generally has less acidity, aroma, and body, than other fine Indonesian coffees.
PeruPeru generally produces mild coffee used mostly for blending, French roasts, and as a base for flavored-coffee. Good Peruvian coffee can be found high in the Andes in the Chanchamayo and Urubamba Valleys. Northern Peru has gained a reputation for producing good quality, certified organic coffees.
Rwanda
While a relatively small contributor to the world coffee market, Rwanda coffee is big business for it's nearly 500,000 coffee grower families. Rwanda produces some excellent coffees with qualities commonly found in other east African nations such as Kenya and Zimbabwe. Coffee in Rwanda is generally processed by the wet method.
TanzaniaMost Tanzanian coffees are grown near the border of Kenya on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and are sometimes referred to as Kilimanjaro, Moshi or Arusha. Other coffees are grown further south between Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa, and are usually called Mbeya, after one of the region's cities or Pare, a market name. All coffees are wet-processed and graded by bean size, with the highest grade being AA, then A and B. Tanzanian coffees are characterized by a winy acidity, medium to full body, and deep richness. Peaberries are often separated from flat beans and sold at a premium for their enhanced flavor characteristics.
Uganda
Most of the coffee produced in Uganda is Robusta, and is used for instant coffee. Uganda does produce one fine Arabica called either Bugishu or Bugisu, and it is grown on the western slopes of Mt. Elgon on the Kenyan border. This coffee is winy in its acidity, and similar to Kenyan coffee in flavor, though lighter in body.
VietnamVietnam has greatly increased production of coffee in recent years and now produces more coffee than Colombia. Although Vietnam ranks second in the world for total volume of coffee exported, it does not yield a significant crop of high grade specialty coffee.
Yemen
Coffee originated in Ethiopia and was cultivated and processed commercially in neighboring Yemen over a thousand years ago. Arabian Mocha, grown in the northern mountains of Yemen, is one of the oldest and most traditional coffees in the world. It is also one of the finest. Yemen Mocha has been cultivated and processed in the same way for centuries, grown on mountain terraces and dried by the sun. No chemicals are used in Yemeni coffee production, and it is no doubt organic. Two famous market names for this coffee are Mattari and Sanani. Sanani mochas have a wild, fruity acidity, while Mattari mochas are known for their full body and chocolatey undertones.
ZimbabweCoffee in Zimbabwe is grown on medium-sized farms and is roughly comparable to coffee from Kenya, although Zimbabwe coffee typically has slightly less acidity. The highest quality coffee in Zimbabwe is grown in the Chipinga, or Chipinge, region. Zimbabwe AA Plus Salimba, is a historically excellent coffee from the Chipinga region of Zimbabwe. The finest coffees from Zimbabwe are balanced with rich flavor, moderate acidity, and good aftertaste.
