Latin American Coffee Story How to Drink Latin American Coffee Flavor Characteristics of Latin American Coffee

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The Origin of Coffee Trees

Coffee trees belong to the Rubiaceae family in botanical classification. Native to the subtropical regions of Africa and some islands in southern Asia, coffee trees were introduced to Europe through Venetian merchants and the maritime power of the Dutch during the 16th and 17th centuries. From Africa, they were exported to countries worldwide. Today, coffee trees are cultivated in more than 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the Americas, Southeast Asia, and India.

Coffee Tree Classification

The classification of coffee trees is complex, with numerous species, varieties, and cultivars. Different varieties of coffee beans offer distinct flavors. However, even coffee trees of the same variety can produce beans with unique characteristics due to variations in soil, climate, and other environmental factors. While being most vulnerable to frost damage, centuries of agricultural development have established major coffee-growing regions centered around the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. These areas receive abundant rainfall and maintain temperatures between 15-25°C (59-77°F), forming what is known as the Coffee Belt or Coffee Zone.

Main Coffee Varieties

Generally, coffee is classified by bean size into two main types: Arabica, highly regarded for its distinct fruity acidity and excellent flavor, is classified as small-bean coffee. The other is Robusta, which features larger beans, lower acidity, stronger bitterness, and higher caffeine content.

Global Coffee Growing Regions

The world's coffee belt is divided into three major growing regions: Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Careful selection of the best bean sources from each region, combined with optimal roasting techniques, brings out the inherent aromas and characteristics of the beans. This process creates coffee that not only offers exceptional flavor profiles but also showcases the diverse aromas and flavors that coffee has to offer.

Latin American Coffee Processing

Latin American coffees predominantly undergo washed processing fermentation. This meticulous processing method ensures higher quality coffee beans with lower defect rates, resulting in larger, more complete beans.

The Americas Region

The Americas region, where coffee trees were first cultivated in the 18th century, is nourished by the Amazon River—the world's largest by discharge, drainage basin, and number of tributaries, as well as the longest river. This has nurtured a rich ecological landscape in the rainforest. With advantages including abundant sunshine, high mountains, fertile rainy soil, and diverse natural microenvironments, the region has become the world's most important coffee growing area.

Coffees from this region generally offer pleasant aromas and very balanced flavor profiles. They typically feature special cocoa-like notes combined with bright, lively acidity, making for a very enjoyable single-origin coffee experience.

Today, Latin America stands as one of the world's important coffee-producing regions, with coffee becoming virtually a specialty of the area. Statistics show that coffee plantations occupy at least 45% of the arable land in Latin America. Due to geographical advantages, Latin American coffee beans are primarily exported to the United States, followed by Europe and Asia. Generally, coffee-growing regions are located in developing countries, while coffee-consuming nations are typically the so-called First World. Although Latin America is a coffee-producing region, its people are also coffee enthusiasts. Beyond common American-style preparations like Americano, mocha, latte, cappuccino, and espresso, various regions have their own drinking methods and terminology, giving rise to unique coffee cultures.

If African coffees are characterized by their fine berry flavors and Asian coffees by their distinct herbaceous notes, then Latin American coffees belong to the category of more balanced and versatile profiles.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee suggests brewing parameters:

V60: 88-90°C/1:15 ratio/2 minutes brew time

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