Coffee culture

Where Are the Four Major Coffee Growing Regions in the World and Which Areas Are African Coffee Mainly Distributed

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/28, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information. Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to World-Famous Growing Regions - Yirgacheffe. Four Major Coffee Growing Regions in the World: 1. South American Region: Distinctive flavor characteristics: Stronger acidity, with medium body. 2. Asia-Pacific Region: Distinctive flavor characteristics, generally low acidity with rich, full body. 3. Africa and Middle East Region: Distinctive flavor characteristics

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to World-Famous Growing Region: Yirgacheffe

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)

The Four Major Coffee Growing Regions of the World

1. South American Region: Distinctive characteristics: Stronger acidity, medium body.

2. Asia-Pacific Region: Distinctive characteristics: Mostly low acidity, heavy body.

3. Africa and Middle East Region: Distinctive characteristics: Leans toward acidity, relatively heavy body.

4. Central America and Caribbean Region: Stronger acidity, medium body.

African coffee holds a very important position in the specialty coffee industry, with Ethiopian and Kenyan coffees being the most common. Ethiopia typically processes coffee using the natural method. Because this method involves direct sun exposure in open fields, there may be some impurities such as grains, small stones, or small insects. The beans processed this way have a relatively higher defect rate, but African coffee has quite distinctive characteristics - noticeable fruit acidity and rich aroma.

Today, FrontStreet Coffee mainly introduces Ethiopia, an important coffee-producing country in Africa that is as well-known as Kenya. Yirgacheffe and Sidamo are Ethiopia's most famous specialty coffee growing regions. Compared to other African coffee-producing countries, the coffee produced here has acidity - its fruit acidity level is relatively refreshing compared to other countries. Within the Sidamo province, there is also an area called Yirgacheffe, which carries jasmine fragrance and some honey notes. Coffee beans are typically named after their origin or specified by their producing estate. They are mainly processed using the washed method.

Yirgacheffe once belonged to the larger Sidamo growing region. Due to its unique flavor profile, it eventually became exported under the "Yirgacheffe" brand, becoming a household name among coffee enthusiasts. In Yirgacheffe, there are over 2,000 processing plants or cooperatives of various sizes, such as the familiar Woteka and Aricha.

Many people's specialty coffee journey begins with this particular bean. First, it's not expensive, and second, it has a unique flavor profile. The subtle floral notes and lemon acidity upon entry are the signature characteristics of this growing region. Different processing methods or cooperatives may show some variations. Among FrontStreet Coffee's daily supply beans, there is a Yirgacheffe variety that occasionally offers very low promotional prices, making it an everyday accessible item.

Compared to regular washed G2 Yirgacheffe, its flavor is more pure and flawless, possessing a charming sweetness like a beautiful girl's smile, bright and delicate lemon acidity, elegant mouthfeel, and fresh lemon, jasmine, and ginger flower aromas with hints of honey that keep one refreshed throughout the day. Without milk or sugar, let the rich texture and unique soft floral notes brush across your taste buds, leaving an endless aftertaste. Yirgacheffe emits extremely complex aromas and demonstrates exceptional flavor that is difficult to describe. Generally, Yirgacheffe's dry fragrance emits strong fruit aromas with rich dried fruit notes, strawberry, mango, and apricot jam fragrances.

The wet aroma is like sweet syrup, reminiscent of thick apricot nectar, wrapped in rustic honey or chocolate. The entry is not intense, with medium body, acidity that's not obvious but lively and bright, much like fruit tea.

Knowledge Extension

Initially, Yirgacheffe's coffee trees were cultivated by European monks (somewhat similar to Belgian monks growing grain to brew beer), later taken over by farmers or cooperatives. Coffee trees are naturally scattered in forests, fields, and backyards.

In Summary

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center dedicated to sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unrestrained sharing is solely to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three low-discount coffee events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past six years!

Important Notice :

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