The Top Coffee Growing Regions in the Americas: Brazil's Dominance as the World's Largest Coffee Producer

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Brazilian Coffee Regions

Brazil is the world's largest coffee-producing country, ranking first in total production, accounting for approximately one-third of global production. The main producing areas are concentrated in the central and southern provinces. The coffee-growing regions in Brazil have relatively flat terrain, with most coffee plantations located below 1,200 meters altitude and without large trees for shade. Because ripe and unripe berries are harvested simultaneously during picking, they are not considered specialty coffee.

Brazil's coffee quality is average but with few excellent grades. The beans are relatively soft and show obvious intolerance to heat during the roasting process. Among the various varieties, Santos is the most famous, named after its export port, Santos. Brazilian coffee beans have a neutral character and can be enjoyed as single-origin (though somewhat monotonous) or blended with other types of coffee beans to create mixed coffee. They are generally considered indispensable coffee beans in blending formulations.

Flavor Profile: Good Brazilian beans come from old bourbon coffee trees and have a distinct bittersweet taste when smelled. Some describe premium Brazilian coffee as "extremely smooth and mellow." Because they are rich in oils, Brazilian beans have always been an essential component in espresso formulations. Good Brazilian beans possess thickness, texture, and sweetness while not overpowering, providing the perfect stage for other coffees to fully express themselves.

Brazil is vividly described as the "giant" and "monarch" of the coffee world. There are approximately 39.7 billion coffee trees there, with small farmers now growing 75% of the country's total production. The number of people engaged in coffee production in Brazil is 2 to 3 times that of Colombia, which is the world's second-largest coffee-producing country (previous data; now the second-largest coffee-producing country is Vietnam).

Due to the variety of Brazilian coffee types, they cannot be simply summarized by the term "Brazilian coffee." Like other Arabica coffees, Brazilian coffee is called "Brazils" to distinguish it from "Milds" coffees. The vast majority of Brazilian coffee is unwashed and sun-dried. They are classified according to their state of origin and export port. Brazil has 21 states, 17 of which produce coffee, but four states have the largest production, accounting for 98% of the national total. They are: Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo. Paraná in the south has the most astonishing production, accounting for 50% of the total.

Although coffee has diversity, Brazilian coffee suits the general public's taste. For example: coffee produced in the northern coastal regions has a typical iodine flavor that evokes associations with the sea after drinking. This coffee is exported to North America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

Another interesting and worthwhile coffee to pursue is washed Bahia coffee. This coffee is not easy to find because, after the United States, Brazil is the world's largest coffee-consuming country, and many premium coffees can only be found in its domestic market.

Knowledge Point: Since the opening of the free market in 1990, the original "Brazilian Coffee Administration" (IBC) has been replaced by the National Economic Association, a non-investment administrative agency of the state. This association follows a non-interference policy, allowing producers and exporters to negotiate directly.

In Brief

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