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Types of Coffee Bean Varieties, Flavor Differences Between Major Coffee Growing Regions, Comparison of Taste and Flavor Characteristics Between Mandheling and Blue Mountain Coffee Beans

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/28, For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). The International Coffee Organization has once announced the world's top 10 coffee bean producing countries, some of which are...

Exploring the World's Top 10 Coffee Producing Regions

Coffee is an agricultural product, and different lands produce coffee beans with distinct flavors. So what are the flavor profiles of coffee beans from the world's top ten producing regions? FrontStreet Coffee will take you to understand coffee beans from these ten major regions.

1. Brazil Coffee Bean Region:

For over 100 years, the South American powerhouse Brazil has been the undisputed largest coffee producer in the world, known as the "Kingdom of Coffee." The coffee produced here is renowned worldwide for its high quality and strong flavor, making it also the world's largest coffee exporter. Coffee was first introduced to Brazil in 1727. Due to its location in tropical and subtropical regions, the unique geographical environment and climate conditions are highly suitable for coffee tree cultivation, coupled with inexpensive labor, leading to rapid prosperity in coffee cultivation. By the 19th century, coffee cultivation had spread throughout almost the entire country, reaching its peak in the 1920s, accounting for 80% of the world's total coffee production. Later, as other countries began widespread cultivation, this proportion gradually decreased, but the current total cultivation area still reaches 27,000 square kilometers.

Brazilian coffee beans differ from other producing countries in processing because Brazilians mostly use the dry method (no washing) during processing, typically drying coffee cherries directly in the sun before sorting; now there are also some coffee beans processed through semi-washed or honey processing methods. Brazil produces both ground coffee made from roasted coffee beans and instant coffee. Although there are many varieties, they are very suitable for public taste. It's worth mentioning that Brazil is one of the few countries that both produces and consumes coffee in large quantities, showing the extent of Brazilians' love for coffee.

The main coffee bean varieties cultivated in Brazil include Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, and Mundo Novo.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Brazil Queen Estate Yellow Bourbon Coffee Beans

Country: Brazil

Region: Mogiana

Estate: Queen Estate

Variety: Yellow Bourbon

Processing: Semi-dry method

Altitude: 1400-1950m

Brewing Flavor: Fresh sweetness of sugarcane juice, black tea, soft and smooth fruit sweetness, distinct nutty flavor, balanced and gentle acidity, weak and clean bitterness, containing rich chocolate aroma and nutty flavor, bright and refreshing taste, smooth and delicate texture.

2. Vietnam Coffee Bean Region:

The Southeast Asian country Vietnam has a humid tropical climate, making it an ideal home for coffee trees, and its production has consistently ranked second for many years. As everyone is familiar with Vietnamese coffee, the signature way to drink coffee here is with sweetened condensed milk, giving it a sweet taste that's very popular in many places. Now some people also like to add ice cubes to it. However, some believe that Vietnam mainly produces Robusta varieties, which have a heavier bitter taste, which might be an important reason why they add sweetened condensed milk to their coffee! Don't be fooled by Vietnam's steady coffee development – it was also affected by war in history, but now its production has increased from 6,000 tons in 1975 to the second largest globally, with production long exceeding one million tons. Vietnam mainly grows the Robusta coffee bean variety.

FrontStreet Coffee's commercial espresso blend uses 10% Robusta from Vietnam.

3. Colombia Coffee Bean Region:

Colombian coffee is also very famous globally, one of the few single-origin coffees sold under a country name worldwide, partly thanks to the promotional efforts of the National Federation of Coffee Growers. They created a coffee farmer image named Juan Valdez, making significant contributions to local coffee development. In the past, Colombia was always the second-largest coffee-producing country, but with Vietnam's rise and the impact of climate change on Colombia, it has dropped to third position. However, this doesn't affect Colombia's status in coffee lovers' hearts. The coffee here has a mild and balanced taste, not as strong as Brazilian coffee, with a sweet and fresh aroma, understated yet elegant.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Colombia Santander Large Tree Estate Rose Valley Coffee Beans

Region: Santander

Altitude: 1700m

Processing: Anaerobic Natural

Variety: Caturra

Brewing Flavor: Rose flower aroma, strawberry, chocolate flavor, low acidity, obvious sweetness, fragrant taste.

4. Indonesia Coffee Bean Region:

Indonesia is one of Asia's famous coffee-producing countries, with Mandheling coffee being the most renowned. It has low acidity and high concentration with grass-like fragrance, offering a rich and intense taste with a sweet aftertaste that leaves a deep impression. Recommended for friends who don't like acidic flavors. Since FrontStreet Coffee opened, we have been loyal fans of Mandheling coffee. FrontStreet Coffee's Golden Mandheling from PWN company has also been deeply loved by FrontStreet Coffee fans. FrontStreet Coffee's PWN Golden Mandheling is a premium selection from the best,经过多次人工筛选的曼特宁必须拥有饱满一致的外观，比之普通曼特宁口感更干净，风味更浓郁。

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Indonesia PWN Golden Mandheling Coffee Beans

Country: Indonesia

Company: Pawani

Region: Aceh Gayo Highlands, North Sumatra

Processing: Wet-hulled method

Variety: Ateng

Altitude: 1100-1600 meters

Brewing Flavor: Multi-layered changes, thick and clean, high balance, rich nutty and caramel aroma, with chocolate notes, persistent aftertaste.

5. Ethiopia Coffee Bean Region:

Ethiopia is the birthplace of the globally popular Arabica coffee beans. Coffee production here has a long history and rich coffee culture. As early as over 1100 years ago, a shepherd discovered that his flock became unusually excited after accidentally eating coffee beans, and since then, the refreshing and mind-stimulating function of coffee gradually became known. Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe coffee is very famous and synonymous with local specialty coffee, possessing rich and complex aromas. Yirgacheffe was originally a sub-region, but due to its outstanding flavor, it became independent from the larger region and has been unanimously pursued by connoisseurs.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Natural Red Cherry

Region: Yirgacheffe

Region Altitude: 1900-2300m

Variety: Heirloom

Processing: Natural

Grade: G1

Brewing Flavor: Tropical fruits, strawberry flavor, full and round acidity, juice-like texture, long aftertaste.

6. India Coffee Bean Region:

Unlike most countries, India's coffee trees are planted in shaded areas, not directly exposed to sunlight, resulting in a refined taste. Usually, in India, coffee trees are often planted alongside cardamom and cinnamon trees, so the coffee produced here often carries spicy flavors and aromas. India also differs from other coffee-producing countries in that coffee is not popular here; most coffee is exported, mainly to European markets. Of course, coffee consumption among Indians is now gradually increasing.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee India Monsooned Malabar Coffee

Country: Southern India

Region: Malabar Coast, Southern India

Altitude: 1100-1200 meters

Variety: Kents, S795, Catimor, Selection 9

Processing: Monsooned Natural Processing

7. Honduras Coffee Bean Region:

Honduras is located near the Caribbean Sea, where mountainous terrain is particularly prominent, suitable for coffee production, and coffee beans are also an important export product for this country. However, in reality, the market's recognition of this country's coffee is not high. Besides the country itself not being internationally well-known, they also lack representative coffee brands, and another reason is that coffee beans from here are mostly used for blending, thus rarely known to the general public. In fact, this seemingly niche coffee country is the largest coffee producer in Central America.

Barrel fermentation was the most popular processing method in 2019 because coffee beans fermented at low temperature in barrels can absorb wine aroma, creating coffee with rich flavor and wine-like mellow taste, once surpassing Geisha in popularity. The meticulously washed whiskey sherry barrel fermented FrontStreet Coffee Sherry has always been representative of Honduras. Freshly picked coffee cherries first undergo meticulous washing, then are placed in barrels previously used for aging sherry wine, low-temperature fermented for 30-40 days (temperature approximately 15-20°C), then shade-dried. Sherry barrels are used in the whiskey industry by sherry wineries for aging. Sherry production undergoes the Solera System aging process. This process refers to the process of mixing sherry of different years for aging after fortification, which is also unique in forming sherry flavor. Rich whiskey aroma and vanilla cream-like texture are the characteristics of this FrontStreet Coffee Sherry coffee bean.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Honduras Sherry

Region: Marcala

Estate: Moca Estate

Altitude: 1500-1700 meters

Variety: Caturra, Catuai, Pacas

Processing: Meticulous Washed Whiskey Sherry Barrel Fermentation

Brewing Flavor: Aromas of vanilla and cream, with whiskey, berry, almond, and dark chocolate flavors on entry, maple syrup aftertaste.

8. Kenya Coffee Bean Region:

Kenyan coffee is globally recognized as high-quality coffee, with full national support and strict grading systems, earning it the reputation of "coffee connoisseur's choice." AA is the best coffee grade in Kenya, and this grade of coffee is the cream of the crop, so much so that FrontStreet Coffee deeply loves Kenya AA TOP from the Thika region. TOP is marked by Kenyan coffee merchants after cupping. This FrontStreet Coffee Kenya AA TOP bean uses K72 double-washed fermentation processing, with very bright and lively acidity, as delicate and tempting as berries and red wine. When brewing, the rich berry aroma instantly emerges, with distinct cherry tomato and black plum flavors in the mouth. Acidity and aroma coexist in the mouth for a long time, with a creamy sweet aftertaste and persistent return of sweetness.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Kenya Asalia AA TOP

Region: Thika, Kenya

Processing Station: Asali Processing Station

Altitude: 1550-1750 meters

Grade: AA TOP

Variety: SL28, SL34

Processing: Kenya 72-hour Washed

Brewing Flavor: Mature tomato and floral notes, cherry tomato and black plum flavors on entry, bright acidity, clean and most solid rich texture, prominent sweetness in the middle section, juice-like sensation, berry fruit aroma and brown sugar sweetness in aftertaste, with green tea fragrance.

9. Mexico Coffee Bean Region:

Mexico is renowned for producing high-quality Arabica coffee beans. The coffee beans here are relatively large, with rich aromas and sweet-sour taste, mostly exported to the United States region. The development of the coffee industry has provided more employment opportunities and income sources for local people. Those who love alcohol know that Mexico is famous for producing Tequila, and some bold people even add tequila to coffee for drinking.

Representative Coffee – FrontStreet Coffee Mexico Chiapas Swiss Water Process Decaf Coffee

Producing Country: Mexico

Region: Chiapas

Altitude: 900-1500 meters

Variety: Bourbon, Caturra, Typica, Criollo

Processing Method: Swiss Water Process

Grade: HG

Harvest Season: 2020

10. Guatemala Coffee Bean Region:

Guatemala borders Mexico, and until 2011, it was always the largest coffee-producing country in Central America, later gradually replaced by Honduras. Guatemala Antigua coffee is the nobility of coffee, with rich sweet-sour taste and fascinating smoky notes, seemingly emphasizing its sense of mystery. Some say you can see a wonderful story in a cup of Guatemala Antigua coffee with its unique smoky flavor – a story about the wisdom of the Mayan people who once existed on this land.