Major Coffee Bean Origins Worldwide: An Overview of Famous Coffee Bean Characteristics, Flavor Profiles, Grading, and Roasting Levels by Country

I. Brazil (South America)

Since 1960, Brazil has ranked first in coffee cultivation worldwide, with an average annual production of 24.6 million bags (60 kg each). According to the USDA's November 2002 report, Brazil's actual coffee production in 2002 should have been 51.6 million bags.

Brazil is the world's largest coffee exporter. In the past 40 years, the average annual trade volume of Brazilian coffee beans and instant coffee has been $13.8 billion. In 2002, the total world coffee trade was 88.7 million bags, with Brazil exporting 27.99 million bags, a 19.3% increase from 2001, accounting for 30% of the world coffee trade and ranking first (second was Vietnam with 12.2 million bags, 13.7%), an increase of nearly 8 percentage points from 22.3% in 1998. Europe is the largest buyer of Brazilian coffee, purchasing 50% of Brazil's exports. In 2002, coffee exports to EC countries reached $708.7 million, accounting for 52.3%, with most of the remainder going to the United States and Asia. Coffee beans account for 85% of coffee exports.

Brazil's main coffee-producing areas are distributed across Minas, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Paraná, Rondônia, Bahia and other states. Currently, Brazil has 6 billion coffee plants covering approximately 3 million hectares. Minas is Brazil's main coffee-producing region, with 22.71 million bags produced in 2002, accounting for 48% of the national production. Espírito Santo is Brazil's main Robusta coffee-producing region, ranking first nationally.

Brazil's main coffee varieties are divided into three categories: Robusta, Arabica, and Cereja Descascada (pulped natural). Brazil's share of world pulped natural coffee increased from 19% in 1996 to 25%. Due to market price influences, Brazil is adjusting its coffee variety structure, reducing Arabica area, expanding Robusta area, while pulped natural coffee will be the focus of development, with coffee cultivation trends extending toward the northeast.

II. Colombia (South America)

In 2002, Colombia's coffee cultivation area was 775,000 hectares, with a production area of 613,000 hectares.

Colombian coffee is exclusively Arabica soft coffee. Colombia is one of the world's most important coffee-exporting countries. According to International Coffee Organization statistics, from 1991-1996, Colombia's coffee exports accounted for an average of 17% of total world exports, second only to Brazil (24%). In 2001, global coffee exports totaled 89.7 million bags, with Brazil accounting for 26.2%, Vietnam 15.8%, and Colombia 11.1%.

Colombia's main coffee export destinations include: United States, Germany, Japan, Belgium, France, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, and others. The United States is Colombia's largest export market.

III. Vietnam (Southeast Asia)

French missionaries introduced coffee trees to Vietnam in the early 1860s for cultivation, but it wasn't until 1990 that Vietnam's coffee production gradually gained a place in the world market. In 2001, global coffee exports totaled 89.7 million bags, with Brazil accounting for 26.2%, Vietnam 15.8%, and Colombia 11.1%. This was the first time Vietnam surpassed Colombia to rank second in the world. However, Vietnam's coffee beans are mainly inexpensive Robusta beans, with the main variety being Robusta coffee beans. The significant increase in Vietnam's exports contributed to the decline in international coffee prices.

IV. Indonesia (Southeast Asia)

Currently, Indonesia's Arabica coffee comes from three coffee-producing regions: Sulawesi Island, Sumatra Island, and Java Island. Sumatra is the most productive of these, renowned for its Arabica coffee with bright acidity and clean fruit aromas.

Coffee grown in Sumatra's environmental soil has woody tones and full-bodied texture, reserved flavors with lively moderate acidity, and unique herbal, cedar, cocoa, and fermented fruit flavors. Among these, Sumatra Mandheling is the most classic coffee bean among Indonesia's Arabica coffee varieties, which only account for 25% of production. With its excellent flavor, it's considered the representative of Indonesian specialty coffee.

V. Mexico (Central America)

Mexico began cultivating coffee in the late 18th century. Coffee production areas are concentrated in the southern regions near Guatemala, with mountain ranges running through both east and west sides, creating mountain slopes that provide ideal terrain for coffee cultivation. It wasn't until 1870 that significant quantities were exported. The largest export destination for Mexican coffee beans is the United States.

VI. Guatemala (Central America)

Few places in the world can offer the variety of high-quality coffee beans that Guatemala produces. The excellent quality of Guatemalan coffee beans is due to the unique conditions of their origins, including varying climate changes in each region, fertile volcanic soil, abundant natural water resources, high-altitude mountains, and shady, humid forests.

Guatemala has seven main coffee-producing regions: Antigua, Coban, Atitlan, Huehuetenango, Fraijanes, Oriente, and San Marcos. Each region's coffee beans have their own characteristics, earning Guatemala considerable international acclaim. Especially Antigua - its acidity, sweetness, and body are perfectly harmonious; with a hint of smokiness that enhances its mystery. After tasting it, you'll have reason not to seek substitutes elsewhere.

Guatemalan coffee beans are mostly grown in high-altitude volcanic areas and are of the highest-grade Arabica variety. Due to longer maturation periods, the beans are medium-sized and dense (Guatemalan coffee bean grading is based on defect count rather than size). The beans are deep bluish-green in color. Their characteristics are fragrance, body, sweetness, and unique refreshing acidity, as the coffee's aroma and flavor are hidden within its acidity. Therefore, only coffee beans with these characteristics can be called premium coffee beans.

VII. El Salvador (Central America)

Geographically, El Salvador borders Honduras, Guatemala, and the North Pacific Ocean, featuring beautiful natural scenery and breathtaking volcanic clusters. El Salvador's terrain consists of highlands with an average elevation of 650 meters, distributed between two parallel mountain ranges (one parallel to the Pacific coast, another at the Honduras border). This unique geographical environment creates five different natural ecosystems within El Salvador. Whether considering soil, climate latitude, extensive natural shade, and other conditions, El Salvador is shown to be very suitable for growing high-quality Arabica coffee. In fact, since the 19th century, coffee has been one of the country's most important economic products.

Excellent El Salvador coffee has bright but non-aggressive flavors, refreshing mouthfeel at light-medium roast levels, balanced flavors, and occasionally plum and spice notes. Generally, the mouthfeel is fuller than neighboring Costa Rican coffee. Dark-roasted El Salvador coffee often exhibits fascinating rich chocolate flavors. Notably, most El Salvador coffee is organic. While El Salvador still produces large quantities of low-altitude, low-price coffee beans, estate-level specialty coffee from El Salvador is increasingly available.

VIII. Honduras (Central America)

Coffee beans are also classified by altitude, with wet-processed coffee beans from mountainous areas being better, while lowland coffee beans are slightly inferior. Famous origins include Santa Bárbara, Gracias, Comayagua in the east, and Choluteca near Nicaragua.

IX. Costa Rica (Central America)

Costa Rica is located on the low-latitude volcanic belt of Central America, with the Central Plateau and mountainous regions at elevations of 800-2000 meters suitable for coffee cultivation. Costa Rican coffee has always been famous for its extremely balanced, clean, bright flavors with berry-like fruit acidity. Excellent Costa Rican coffee finishes reveal spice and cocoa flavors.

The country's most famous growing region is Tarrazú, near the capital San José. The Tarrazú region has the highest average latitude and excellent climate and soil conditions, making it the most famous and generally recognized best coffee-producing region in Costa Rica. Tres Rios is a famous sub-region within Tarrazú. The most famous Costa Rican single-origin coffee in the specialty coffee world is La Minita estate in the Tarrazú region, with an annual production of only 160,000 pounds.

X. Cuba (West Indies)

Cuba is famous for cigars and coffee. Coffee was introduced by the French from Haiti in the mid-18th century. Cuban coffee grades are classified by bean size into three categories: ETL (Extra), TL (Standard), and AL (Ordinary).

XI. Jamaica (West Indies)

Coffee from Jamaica's Blue Mountain region has three grades: Blue Mountain Coffee, Jamaica High Mountain Supreme Coffee Beans, and Jamaica Prime Coffee Beans. Blue Mountain Coffee and High Mountain Coffee are each further divided into two grades. Ranked by quality from top to bottom: Blue Mountain No.1, Blue Mountain No.2, High Mountain No.1, High Mountain No.2, and Jamaica Prime Coffee.

Ranked by quality from top to bottom: NO.1, NO.2, NO.3, and PB, where PB stands for Peaberry. According to CIB standards, the basic criteria for NO.1 Blue Mountain green beans include beans above 17 screen, defect rate below 3%, moisture content around 13%, etc.

XII. Kenya (Africa)

Kenya, located in East Africa under the equator, grows high-quality Arabica coffee beans. The Mocha variety of small coffee beans introduced from Bourbon Island has unique flavors, suitable for blending, and is highly acclaimed.

XIII. Tanzania (Africa)

Tanzania, neighboring famous coffee-producing countries like Kenya, has coffee exports accounting for an important proportion of its economy. Tanzanian coffee typically has aromatic, slightly fruity acidity, rich and refreshing characteristics. The famous producing region is the Kilimanjaro Mountain area in the northwest. Tanzania's coffee production consists of 75% Arabica and 25% Robusta.

Tanzania produces many small beans (also called Peaberry), which are usually screened out by vibrating automatic machines after harvest based on their round appearance and sold at higher prices to the international specialty coffee market, popular among North American and European buyers. Due to their shape and internal density, peaberries heat up faster than flat beans during roasting, making roast control relatively more important, suitable for light to medium roasting.

At lighter roast levels (City), it's aromatic and refreshing, with flavors similar to Kenya - bright and prominent with sweetness, suitable for single-origin enjoyment to directly appreciate its natural aroma. At darker roast levels (Full City), acidity diminishes to very weak while sweetness becomes very prominent, making it a good choice for espresso blends. Tanzanian coffee has more prominent aroma than typical coffee beans, with unique delicate rich texture, nut and chocolate aromas blended with rich fruit notes, offering infinite variations worth tasting.

Kilimanjaro coffee is produced at the foot of Africa's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro, and is the king of Tanzanian coffee.

XIV. Ethiopia (Africa)

Ethiopia is an agricultural country with history and traditions that can be called the origin of coffee. Kafa in the southwest is considered the origin of the name "coffee," while Sidamo and Yirgacheffe in the south are the main producing regions.

XV. Yemen (Asia)

Yemen is the birthplace of Arabica coffee. Yemen's Mocha coffee was once all the rage. Yemen grows coffee at elevations of 1500-2500 meters. The cultivation altitude of Yemen coffee determines its excellent quality.

XVI. Hawaii (America)

This is representative of Hawaiian coffee, belonging to the Arabica variety. Due to climatic influences, Kona coffee beans contain rich floral notes and a special flavor similar to nuts and cinnamon that other coffees don't have. It is one of the world's best coffees, with an annual production of 2 million pounds. All coffee from the U.S. mainland comes from Hawaii.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473