We love coffee! For example, we drink an average of 150 liters per person per year. But where does coffee come from?
Many coffee plants are grown between the tropics near the equator. This area is known as the ‘coffee belt’. The area is characterized by mild temperatures, lots of rain and sun and rich, fertile soil. These are ideal conditions for the coffee plant.
The main continents where coffee is grown are Africa and Latin America. The climate, soil type and variety of coffee beans play a crucial role in the final taste of the drink. The care and the way of roasting is also very important.
We often see two coffee beans, including the Arabica coffee bean and the bean that comes from the Robusta plant. The Arabica coffee plant grows on higher ground and the temperature is between 18 and 21 degrees. This is the perfect temperature for the development of the plant. You can regularly find this plant in regions around the equator, such as Central and South America.
Robusta beans, on the other hand, are more common in low-lying areas, for example in Southeast Asia. They tolerate heat and drought much better than the Arabica beans and they contain more caffeine. This is because in the lower regions where the Robusta variety grows frequently, more parasites occur. The caffeine produced by the plant is a natural remedy to combat these parasites. Because the Arabica variety grows more in mountain areas where there are fewer parasites, the coffee from this plant contains less caffeine.
Where was coffee discovered?
There are several stories about how coffee originated. A story we often hear is about a young goatherd from Ethiopia. This goatherd discovered that his goats became a lot more energetic after eating certain berries. He then decided to boil the berries and turn them into a drink. This tasted so good that he started making it more often and introduced it to others as well.
In addition, there are many people who say that monks discovered the fruit. However, they did not like the berries and therefore threw them into the fire. The berries were thus roasted and a wonderful aroma spread. This inspired the monks and started experimenting. During one of these experiments, they turned the roasted fruits into a drink that tasted pleasant and cleared their minds. This is how the monks would have discovered coffee.
Which countries grow coffee?
There are many countries involved in the production of coffee beans. Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia and Ethiopia are the areas where the most coffee is grown. But India, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Guatemala should certainly not be missing from the list of coffee-producing countries. All these countries produce coffee with its own distinctive taste. For example, coffee that comes from African countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya has a fruity, fresh and sour touch. If the coffee comes from Latin America, the drink is regularly described as winey and slightly fruity. If you choose Colombian coffee, you will notice the full flavor in combination with a hint of citrus.
If you like coffee that is a bit more spicy, you will absolutely love the coffee from India. The coffee beans often come from plantations where herbs and spices also grow. This explains the slightly spicy taste of the coffee. Have you also been craving a delicious cup of coffee? Take a quick look at our extensive range and discover which type of coffee suits you best!