03. Coffee producing regions and flavor characteristics
Feb 10, 2023
Coffee trees can only be planted in the tropics and subtropics, mainly between 25 degrees north latitude and 30 degrees south latitude, and the temperature is between 15 degrees and 20 degrees. These producing areas are called "coffee belts". The location of the plantation, the altitude where the coffee is grown, the weather and human care all affect the flavor of the harvested coffee beans.
African production areas
In Africa, the origin of coffee, there are many specialty coffee producing areas, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, etc. The flavor of African beans is mainly floral and fruity, with bright acidity, but the disadvantage is that it is not full-bodied.
Ethiopia is the largest Arabica producing country in Africa. The whole territory can be divided into nine production areas, the most famous of which are Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Yirgacheffe was originally a by-production area of Sidamo, but because the local coffee production method and flavor were too prominent, it became independent from Sidamo. Yirgacheffe has a strong aroma of jasmine, citrus, and fruit. Those who love coffee must try it.
Americas production areas
The main coffee producing areas in the Americas are distributed in Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Guatemala. The flavor is mainly nuts and cocoa, with a mellow taste. The disadvantage is that the aroma is insufficient, and the sweetness and acidity are relatively medium.
Asian production area
The main growing areas in Asia include Vietnam, India, Yunnan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia.
There are two "most" in Asia: 1. Indonesia is the most well-known coffee-producing country in Asia. 2. Vietnam is the world's largest producer of Robusta coffee beans
Yunnan, where 99 percent of China's coffee is produced, is full-bodied and well-balanced, with aromas of nuts, caramel, and even chocolate. →mcilpoog coffee beans
Coffee beans from different origins have different flavor characteristics. In addition to geographical factors, there are the following reasons:
Due to the long growth cycle of coffee trees, coffee farmers will plant cash crops next to coffee trees in order to balance the income. This planting method is called interplanting.
Interplanting cash crops often has local characteristics, and it will also affect the flavor of coffee. This is one of the reasons why African coffee has a flowery and fruity flavor, and Americas coffee has a nutty cocoa flavor.
Africa: mainly flowers and fruits, typically Ethiopia (its capital is also known as the capital of flowers); floral and fruity aromas (bright citrus sour) are also common to African beans, but their disadvantage is that they are not full-bodied.
America: mainly nuts and cocoa. It is mellow, but the disadvantage is that the aroma is not enough.
Asia: Main producing areas such as India, Indonesia, Yunnan, etc. Typical intercropping crops include rubber, tea, tobacco, etc. High body and high caffeine content.
The choice of interplanting crops is related to the local ecological environment, historical traditions, politics, economy and trade and other factors. With the development of science and technology, the regional boundaries of interplanting crops have become increasingly blurred, and coffee with different characteristics can be grown in various regions.