Coffee is produced in over 30 countries. As a result of each country's specific rainfall, sunshine, temperature, humidity, winds, and seasonal changes; the coffees from around the world all have their own characteristics and flavors. However, the similarities that all coffee-growing countries do share is that they are tropical countries located in the equatorial belt at 25 degrees N to 30 degrees S. Coffee plants like generous amounts of rain and steady temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer volcanic soil, plenty of shade, and good drainage.
There are two types of coffee plants that are grown for commercial coffee production: Arabica trees and Robusta trees. The Arabica bush originated from Ethiopia and flourishes at high altitudes above 2,000 feet. It was first cultivated in Yemen and still grows wild in Ethiopia. It prefers a temperate climate and produces the highest quality coffee.
Coffee
The Robusta tree is a smaller plant that originated in the Congo and thrives below 2,000 feet. Although the beans produce a lesser quality coffee with a harsher flavor it is mostly resistant to disease; making it quite abundant. It prefers equatorial heat and humidity.
The following countries are producers of coffee beans:
Angola
Australia
Bolivia
Burundi
Cameroon
China
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Galapagos Islands
Guadeloupe
Haiti
Honduras
Ivory Coast
Le Reunion
Madagascar
Martinique
Mozambique
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Philippines
South Africa
Saint Helena
Sudan
Surinam
Tahiti
Taiwan
Uganda
Venezuela
Vietnam
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Each producing country uses a different system to classify their coffees but four general classifications are used. "High Grown Milds" are coffee beans grown at locations over 2,000 feet; "Brazils" are Arabica beans produced in Brazil and grown at less than 2,000 feet; "Milds"are low-grown Arabica beans produced in countries other than Brazil; and "Robustas" include Robutsa coffee beans produced mainly in Brazil, Africa, and southeast Asia.
What Countries Produce Coffee Beans?