What are the largest countries of origin of coffee? In addition to many myths surrounding coffee, it is documented that the coffee plant originates from Ethiopia. Once upon a time, the leaves were prepared similar to tea: the dried cherries and the leaves were poured into hot water.
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The further development
When coffee later came to the Ottoman Empire (named after the Ottoman dynasty who ruled from around 1299 to 1922), the method of preparation was more in line with today’s production: the raw, dry seeds (strictly speaking, the Coffee beans namely not beans at all, but seeds of the coffee plant!) Were roasted, finely ground and boiled several times in water.
The first coffee houses opened in Istanbul in the 16th century. Such establishments already existed in Venice, London, Oxford, Vienna and finally in Paris as early as the 17th century. In Germany, the first coffee house opened in Bremen in 1673. Berlin followed at a much later date in 1721.
Growing coffee in Brazil
Around a third of the world’s total coffee production is in Brazil, with four billion of the world’s 15 billion coffee trees growing in this country. This makes the state the most powerful coffee grower on the world market for both Robusta and Arabica beans. The plant is grown between 800 and 1,100 meters above sea level.
There are many different types of coffee in the country, which can be broken down by their origin, depending on their state. Coffee is cultivated in 17 out of 26 Brazilian states. However, 98 percent of Brazil’s total income comes from just four countries. These are Paraná, Sao Paulo, Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais. Paraná, located in the south, is responsible for half of the entire production. However, Brazil not only produces coffees for the standard consumer, but also offers exclusive specialties, such as washed ones. Bahia coffee as well as the exquisite selection “ Drago Mocambo Brasilia ” made from the best Arabica beans, rounded off with strong Robusta beans. This special coffee specialty convinces with its intense aroma and makes it a very special pleasure.
A brief summary of the most important coffee facts in Brazil:
- The coffee types Arabica and Robusta are harvested
- The main bloom lasts from August to September
- The re-blooming takes place in the period from October to November
- The main harvest time is May to November
- The harvesting process takes place both manually and mechanically
- Wet processing
- The beans are mostly dried by the sun
Growing coffee in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the younger coffee-growing countries, because it was not until the 18th century that coffee came to this country from the Caribbean and thus established its coffee culture. The coffee plants thrive here particularly well. The volcanic ash ensures the perfect acidity of the earth, and the abundance of various organic substances also supports and promotes plant growth. The only legal requirement in Costa Rica is the cultivation of Arabica plants.
The following article explains the difference between Arabica and Robusta:
In the meantime, the country has developed into a superlative coffee country and is characterized by high innovations in the agricultural-technical field. Here are a strict water regulation and partly high environmental standards as well as for the excellent quality of almost 300 different varieties of Arabica responsible for how the extremely favorable climatic conditions.
The best top-quality coffees reach Europe, such as the “ Caffè del Faro Gold Extra Bar ”. It consists of 35 percent exclusive Robusta beans and 65 percent fine Arabica beans. The fruity taste with a note of chocolate is simply convincing!
A brief summary of the most important coffee facts in Costa Rica:
- The exclusive cultivation of the Arabica bean is required by law.
- The main bloom takes place from April to June.
- The main harvest takes place from July to February.
- The beans are picked both by hand and by machine.
- It is with wet processing and also with the semi-dry process worked.
- Depending on the altitude, the fermentation takes between 2 and 15 hours.
- The drying is mostly done in the sun.
Growing coffee in El Salvador
As the smallest country in South America, El Salvador has the highest population density and is the only region in Central America that does not have direct access to the Caribbean Sea. For these reasons, El Salvador is home to a special subtropical climate, which is determined by particularly high temperatures during the day and cold nights.
These climatic conditions mean that the coffee plantations there are on the mountain slopes facing the sea. Over the years El Salvador has become one of the world’s most productive coffee exporters. The philosophy and culture of the residents see coffee production as an art. It is therefore a duty for every plantation owner to satisfy this art with a high quality of production.
It will be exclusively Arabica plants cultivated. The beans make for a wonderfully mild, aromatic coffee, the convinces with a light body and fine acidity. In this context, one example of many products is the “ Caffè Corsini El Salvador ”, which is made from 100 percent finest Arabica beans. Due to the medium roast, this coffee spoils every enthusiast with its mild taste and low acidity.
A brief summary of the most important coffee facts in El Salvador:
- Only Arabica beans are grown
- The main bloom extends from February to May
- The main harvest lasts from October to March
- The harvesting process is done by hand
- The processing type is mainly wet processing
- The fermentation takes place over a period of 8 to 15 hours
- The coffee beans are sun-dried
Growing coffee in Mexico
In the highlands of Mexico in particular, the coffee plants develop excellently on mostly rather small plantations. The red coffee cherries were only introduced at the beginning of the nineteenth century. They made the country the third largest American coffee producer. The field of organic coffee cultivation takes Mexico on a pioneering role. Because the plantation owners there used bees against beetle plagues very early on and were thus able to extremely minimize the exposure to fungicides. It is due to this fact that a large part of the green coffee produced in Mexico is organically grown.
Coffees from Mexico generally have a pleasantly light fullness, a sour melt and are always aromatic-mild. The “ Speicherstadt Mexico Pueblo de Motozintla-100% Arabica ” coffee has a sweet and malty aroma. It is made from 100% finest organic Arabica beans and has been awarded the EP and SHG seal of approval.
A brief summary of the most important coffee facts in Mexico:
- Mainly Arabica is grown, but also a little Robusta.
- The main flowering takes place from January to May.
- The main harvest extends from November to March.
- Picking is done manually.
- After the harvest, wet processing is used.
- The fermentation takes place in tanks over a period of 36 hours.
- The beans are sun-dried.
You might be interested in the following article:
The coffee culture in the USA – a little journey across the pond!
Conclusion: countries of origin of coffee
Coffee is grown in Brazil , Costa Rica , El Salvador and Mexico , among others :
- With around a third of total global production, Brazil is the most powerful coffee grower on the world market
- In Costa Rica, only Arabica beans are grown by law
- In El Salvador, the sole cultivation of arabica beans is also common
- Coffee cherries only came to Mexico at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This country is a pioneer in the field of organic cultivation, as coffee farmers use bees to combat beetle pests instead of chemical pesticides.
