The coffee industry is one of the largest industries in the world. It has been a booming business across the world for many years now. Today, coffee is one of the most traded commodities worldwide. You will hardly fail to find a coffee shop in most towns across the world. While some people buy coffee at their local coffee shops, others brew coffee at home. Coffee is brewed from ground coffee beans. But where are coffee beans grown? Read on to find out.
Coffee Growing Regions in the World
Climates vary from one country to another. Coffee plants only thrive in certain regions. That is why some regions stand out in producing coffee, whereas other regions have tried to produce coffee without success. So where is coffee grown in the world? Essentially, coffee is grown in a region known as the Bean Belt.
The Bean Belt comprises three major coffee-growing regions including Southeast Asia, South and Central America, and Africa and the Middle East. These regions are all located along the equator between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. The tropical climates in this region alongside high elevations of between 800 to 2200 meters above sea level offer the best conditions for growing coffee.
Although coffee is grown within the same latitudinal perimeter, each coffee region produces coffee with distinct flavors. Thus, geography contributes to different flavors. The different flavors result from differences in sunshine, altitude, weather, soil chemistry, rainfall, and coffee processing methods. Let’s discuss these coffee-growing regions in detail.
South and Central America Coffee Growing Regions
Central America is situated at the top of the Bean Belt. In this region, coffee comes from countries such as Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Costa Rica is notable for its superior conditions that allow for the production of coffee with aromatic flavors. Coffee beans from Central America are mild, medium-bodied, and well-balanced. Their acidity is medium with a clean, bright taste.
On the other hand, South American coffee-growing countries include Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. Although Columbian coffee is popularly talked about, Brazil is the leading coffee producer in the world by volume. Brazil mainly produces Arabica coffee, thanks to its superior growing conditions and perfect climate. South American coffee has a mild body with a clean taste. It is creamier with a chocolate aftertaste.
Southeast Asia Coffee Growing Region
In Southeast Asia, coffee is mostly grown in Indonesia and Vietnam. The Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi are known for producing coffee beans with an earthy tone, rich flavor, full-body, and distinct taste.
Indonesian coffee beans are popularly used in blends. Generally, Southeast Asia coffee has clean, smooth characteristics with a nutty aroma and fruity taste. The region produces both Robusta and Arabica coffee.
The Middle East and Africa Coffee Growing Regions
The main coffee producers in Africa are Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Other coffee-producing countries in Africa include Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. African coffee beans produce a brew with delicate floral and fruity notes and a sweet aroma. Most African coffee comes from Kenya, where it is mainly grown on the slopes of Mount Kenya. Kenyan beans feature a spirit-lifting fragrance and are full-bodied.
Ethiopia is also notable for its coffee. It produces about 3 percent of the world’s coffee. About 60 percent of the country’s foreign income comes from coffee. Ethiopia is also believed to be the first producer of coffee in the world. It is believed that coffee beans were first discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder known as Kaldi. Later on, coffee beans spread to Yemen and throughout other coffee-producing countries.
Yemen is the main producer of coffee in the Middle East. Its coffee originated from Ethiopia. Yemen’s coffee has similar characteristics to Ethiopian coffee. Their beans are processed using the dry processing method. Thus, they make full-bodied, bright, and spicy coffee.
Summary
Where are coffee beans grown in the world? After reading through this article, you now know that the world’s coffee mainly comes from South America, Central America, The Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Coffee from each growing region has distinct characteristics due to different growing conditions. Now you know where your favorite coffee beans are likely to come from.
Also read How Are Coffee Beans Grown?
