Best Coffee Around The World

We’re diving into where the best coffee in the world comes from and what makes it so special. It’s thought that 3.5 billion cups of coffee are enjoyed worldwide every day. Many people, whose lives revolve around the love of this dark and delicious brew, probably have a favorite brand of bean, but chances are where their daily cup-o-joe comes from is a mystery. Here, you can learn more about your favorite regions and beans, and possibly discover new areas you might like to try.

Where does the Best Coffee Come From?

TOP 15 COFFEE-GROWING COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

So, which countries deliver the best beans? With the many variables, naming the best country is not an easy task. Naturally, a personal bias in taste, as well as coffee and life experience, influence a person’s favorite.

Traveling around the world, here are the reigning regions and countries that produce the best beans in the world.

Asia and Indonesia

Java
The most distinguished of the coffee-producing islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Java is so skilled at the coffee production that one of the nicknames for the beverage comes from this country. Coffee was brought here by the Dutch in the 17th century, which was so successful the name has become synonymous. Java beans tend to have a heavy body and an overall sweetness to the taste, a long-lasting finish, and a slightly herbaceous after-taste.

Sumatra
Coffee from the large island in western Indonesian can be sweet and crisp, with complex flavors with some describing as maple syrup to chocolate to toasted almonds. The body is smooth and well-balanced due to the acidity and contains marks of tobacco, cocoa, smoke, earth, and cedar wood. The most famous type of coffee from Sumatra comes from the north part of the island and is called Mandheling, designated for the people who produce it.

India
The coffees of India are similar to those from Indonesia and are grown mostly on terraced mountainsides. The best coffees from this country come from the regions of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamilnadu, and are full-bodied and acidic. An unusual type of coffee that is unique to India is the monsoon coffee, in which the unripened beans are left out to be blown around by the heavy winds, which results in less acidity and more sweetness.

North America and the Caribbean

Hawaii
Different coffee varieties are grown all over the state; however, it’s the coffee from the Kona region on the big island that’s the most remarkable.  Grown on the slopes of the volcanoes in the black volcanic soil, Hualalai and Mauna Loa, this exceptional coffee is quite pricey and in-demand. Known for its buttery finish, medium body, and deep aromatics its grown in the perfect conditions of frequent showers and just enough cloud coverage from the intense tropical sun.

Mexico
Over 100,000 smaller coffee farms contribute to the coffee production making it one of the largest coffee-producing countries collected in the southern regions, primarily Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. With so many plantations and locations there’s a lot of variability in types; however, they tend to be on the side of rich, nutty, chocolaty, and on the darker side.

Jamaica
Jamaica produces Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, one of the world’s most desired specialty coffees. Exports are highly regulated and certified only through their government which makes it hard to find in the U.S. This high altitude bean is known for its mild and sweet flavor from the cool air, abundant rainfall, rich soil, and excellent drainage found at the top of one of the highest mountain ranges in the Caribbean. Other coffees found in Jamaica tend to be brilliantly acidic and nutty, with almost beefy-flavored notes.

Central America

Costa Rica
Coffees from Costa Rica have a good reputation throughout the world from the tremendous amount of effort put into the cultivation of their beans. Coffees are strictly wet-processed arabicas, which results in a supremely balanced, medium bodied, and sharply acidic coffee. The flavors of these beans range from sweet with floral notes, to berry undertones to nutty and chocolaty.

Guatemala
Guatemalan- rich volcanic soil plus its microclimates give the beans from this country depth and complexity, as well as a spicy and chocolaty taste, with a medium-to-full body. Grown at high altitudes of 4500 feet or higher is the Strictly Hard Bean, known as a dense and hard bean.

Panama
The many microclimates along with high altitude, rich volcanic soil, just enough moisture, and sunshine make Panama’s countryside an ideal coffee-producing environment. Producer of the “Holy Grail” of coffee- Panama Esmerelda and the most expensive coffee- Panama Geisha, this Central American country brings coffee lovers to its yearly Best of Panama coffee competition. Other coffees of renown from Panama include the sweet Honey Hartmann, as well as those produced by Elida Estate.

South America

Brazil
As the largest producer of the bean in the entire world, Brazil contributes about a third of all coffee. About 80% of the beans produced here are the arabica variety, with the rest being rubusta, and are cultivated using the wet, dry, and semi-washed methods of processing. Brazilian coffees are produced in many different regions but they are almost all quite mild, medium body, and low acidity with nice bittersweet chocolate tastes.

Colombia
As the 3rd highest producer and probably the best-known coffee producer, Colombia maintains a high standard when it comes to their beans. Coffee is grown on many small farms throughout the country, whose rugged landscape makes it a perfect environment for these world-class beans, but complicated to transport. The coffees of Colombia tend to be mild, with a well-balanced acidity, with Colombia Supremo, a delicate and aromatic coffee, and Excelso Grade, a softer and more acidic coffee, being the two most sought-after types.

Africa and the Middle East

Ethiopia
The motherland of the coffee plant. Coffee was first discovered in southern Ethiopia. The flavors differ according to how the bean is processed as it comes both natural and washed. Natural beans have the fruity and wine-like tastes while the washed tend to be floral and tea-like. Harrar and Yergahcheffe beans are the most famous beans found here, and a typical Ethiopian coffee is sweet, full-flavored, full-bodied, and bold.

Kenya
Coffee from Kenya is grown on the foothills of Mount Kenya often by small farmers. The processing and drying procedures are strictly controlled and monitored. Processing and drying procedures are graded with their unique system such as Kenyan AA is the largest bean while AA+ means it was estate grown.  The coffees produced in Kenya have a bright, wine-like taste, with fruity notes and acidity, and a full body and rich aroma.

Tanzania
Ninety percent of the coffee grown here comes from smallholder and the rest from plantations. Tanzania grows its coffee beans at the foot of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, near Kenya. Coffees from this country tend to be medium-bodied, with a mild acidity, a rich and delicate taste, and wine notes. Home to the world-famous Peaberry coffee, these beans are not only unique in their taste but are rare because they’re a whole-bean coffee cherry, rather than two half-beans like most coffee fruits bear.

Yemen
Most coffee roots lead back to Yemeni coffee. Very distinct in flavor and home of the famous Mocha Java coffee, Yemeni coffee boasts citrus and cocoa notes. Blending the Java beans from Indonesia with their own homegrown Mocha gives way to the well know mocha java. Yemeni is an arid country, which means that coffee beans are a bit smaller than normal, and must be dry processed after harvest, resulting in a distinctively deep and rich flavor.

This short tour of coffee regions may be an introduction to new regions and spark an interest in trying new flavors. So take a tour around the world without leaving your sofa by enjoying some of the world’s best coffees.

source https://www.coffeeandy.com/best-coffee-around-the-world/