Top 7 Coffee Origins in Asia: Is Civet Coffee an Asian Region Coffee?

I have always loved drinking pour-over coffee, especially light roasts. However, I usually encounter African beans or beans from Central and South America. Asian coffee beans are also available in various varieties in China's Yunnan province and neighboring Taiwan. Recently, Yunnan coffee beans have become increasingly popular, and coffee enthusiasts should also give them a try. FrontStreet Coffee's Yunnan coffee beans are actually produced from their own plantation. Let FrontStreet Coffee introduce the coffee bean-producing regions in Asia, the main producing areas, and the characteristics of Asian coffee.

In various shopping malls or supermarkets, you can buy various types of coffee beans or drip coffee bags, but the climate conditions, varieties, and processing methods vary in each different region. Understanding the local culture can help you better appreciate the characteristics of local coffee, and these different elements are key to creating coffee flavor profiles.

Where are Asian coffee beans produced?

General characteristics of Asian coffee:

• Rich and heavy flavor
• Stronger sweetness
• Less acidity

Here are the main coffee-producing regions in Asia:

India

Indian coffee is processed through the "monsooning" method. Under the blowing of humid air, the beans become moist and expand, presenting a golden color. Interestingly, perhaps due to the processing in a humid environment, they have a pungent musty and smoky smell, which differs from the usual sun-dried or washed processing methods for coffee beans.

Indonesia

Indonesia uses semi-dry processing methods for coffee beans. Utilizing various cultivation methods makes the coffee flavor more unique. Its appearance is deep black and full, with a mellow aroma and rich, layered flavor. The coffee beans display fruit, flower, and earthy aromas. The famous "Kopi Luwak" (civet coffee) is a well-known rare coffee from Indonesia. It is made by collecting and processing coffee fruits eaten and then excreted by civets. The undigested coffee seeds are expelled intact. Due to protein breakdown through the digestive system, it has a unique aroma.

Vietnam

Vietnam's coffee beans have a thick texture, with low aroma and acidity. It is the world's second-largest coffee-producing region. Vietnam's territory is long and narrow. The northern region has a temperate climate where Arabica coffee beans are grown, but production is not extensive. The southern region belongs to a tropical climate and has been planted with Robusta coffee beans (also known as robust beans or Robusta). Although Robusta beans have ordinary flavor, they are easy to cultivate and are the main export of Vietnamese beans.

Yemen

One of the world's three great coffees - Yemen Mocha Mattari coffee. The coffee beans are small and firm. When ground, they release mature fruit flavors (red grapes) and bittersweet dark chocolate. When tasting, you can experience a thick, mellow texture.

China

Yunnan Coffee Beans:

Typica: This is the most classic Arabica variety and also the earliest original coffee species. Currently, many commercial improved varieties originate from this species. It is recognized as a specialty coffee variety with elegant flavor and excellent taste performance.

Bourbon: This is a variety of Typica. It possesses the same rich aroma and excellent taste performance as Typica, and is also considered a very high-quality variety among Arabica species.

Catimor: This is not a pure Arabica lineage. It is a hybrid of Timor and Bourbon. It lacks rich aroma and flavor, and has relatively rough grassy and earthy tastes. However, its advantages lie in disease and pest resistance, easy management, and high yield. Its maximum yield per mu can reach 350kg of green beans, which is twice as much as Timor and Bourbon. It has now become the main cultivated variety in Yunnan's coffee-producing areas.

Philippines

The traditional coffee-growing areas are in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Calabarzon. Coffee farmers use raised bed sun-drying for coffee. Due to significant variations in microclimate and conditions, the country is suitable for growing a series of coffee varieties and provides ample opportunities for specialty coffee. However, these islands are constantly hit by typhoons, which also limits coffee production.

Taiwan

Taiwanese coffee has excellent aroma, unique slight acidity, and tastes mild and smooth after proper roasting. It was initially introduced by the Japanese and declined with their withdrawal. Until now, various regions have combined traditional industries with tourism and leisure, leading to its revival. However, due to limited production, the price is not cheap.

Regional Characteristics:

Western "Mountain-type" coffee: Has floral and tea aromas, with medium acidity. This characteristic is similar to high-altitude coffees from Central and South America, including areas such as Dongshi, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan.

Southern "Plateau-type" coffee: Has floral and chocolate flavors, neither acidic nor astringent. It is similar to coffees from the Ethiopian highland regions, mainly produced in the Dawu Mountain system of Pingtung.

Eastern "Coastal-type" coffee: Has floral and spicy aromas, with noticeable acidity. The coffee characteristics are similar to island-type coffee-producing regions.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473