Coffee beans primarily grow in regions known as the "coffee belt" or the "bean belt," which is located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This area spans the globe around the equator, encompassing countries in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and some parts of the Pacific.
Here are some of the key coffee-producing regions:
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Latin America: Countries in Central and South America, such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras, are major producers of coffee beans. The high altitudes, fertile soils, and diverse microclimates in these regions provide ideal conditions for growing Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties.
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Africa: Countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as countries in West Africa like Ivory Coast and Uganda, are known for producing high-quality Arabica coffee beans. Ethiopia, in particular, is considered the birthplace of coffee and is famous for its diverse coffee-growing regions and unique coffee varieties.
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Asia-Pacific: Coffee is also cultivated in countries across Asia and the Pacific region, including Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi), Vietnam, India, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. These regions produce both Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, with Indonesia being one of the largest producers of Robusta beans globally.
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Central America and the Caribbean: Countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Jamaica are known for their specialty Arabica coffee beans, which are prized for their unique flavors and profiles. The volcanic soils and mountainous terrain in these regions contribute to the exceptional quality of the coffee produced.
Overall, coffee thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with well-defined wet and dry seasons, ample rainfall, and elevations ranging from 600 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The unique environmental conditions in each coffee-growing region contribute to the distinct flavors, aromas, and characteristics of the coffee beans produced there.