Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Similar to wine, better coffee is harder to produce and it requires excellent terroir and farming practices. Let’s talk about specialty coffee origins.
African Coffee
Coffee was born in Ethiopia, and has since become a global beverage and one of the most traded commodities in the world.
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African countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya consistently rank as some of the best producers of specialty coffee in the world.
Let’s look at the main flavour profiles.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the quintessential coffee origin.
The original coffee producer, the cradle of coffee.
Some of the highest quality beans in the world.
- Medium to full body
- Chocolate
- Blueberry
- Flowery
- Herbal
Rwanda
- Medium body
- Chocolate
- Floral
- Nutty
Kenya
Kenyan coffee is well-known for being one of the best coffees in the world.
RELATED: Read our Kenyan Coffee Report
Kenyan coffees generally have a very particular acidity that makes them truly distinct.
The problem with Kenyan coffees is that they are quite expensive.
Uganda
Uganda is well known as a cheap robusta and arabica producer.
However, the country has been improving its quality and lately has entered the specialty coffee markets too.
- Full body
- Chocolate
- Creamy
- Vanilla
Central American Coffee
El Salvador
One of the Central American coffee pearls, coffee from El Salvador is well-known for its quality.
- Mild Acidity
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Chocolate
- Pear
Guatemala
- Spicy
- Smoky
- Earthy
- Delicate
- Floral
- Sweet
Honduras
One of the largest arabica coffee producers in the world, Honduras is changing and developing a new positioning with great coffees.
- Crisp
- Light-bodied
- Nutty
- Spicy
Costa Rica
- Medium Body
- Citrus
- Nutty
Panama
- Zesty
- Lively
- Spicy
- Herbal
- Lemongrass
South American Coffee
Colombia
Colombia is one of the most exciting coffee origins in the world.
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Colombia offers great specialty grade washed and natural coffees, all year round.
Most international buyers focus in the departments of Huila, Narino, Quindio, Antioquia, and others, but Colombian coffee has a lot to offer.
General Colombian Coffee Profile
- Medium to light body
- Medium acidity
- Fruity
- Nutty
Huila
Coffee from Huila is meant to be very “Paneloso” – Sugar Cane, Citric, Fruity, Aromatic, Herbal, Spiced, High Acidity, Medium Body.
Brazil
- Medium body
- Caramel
- Chocolate
- Flowery
- Fruity
Peru
- Medium body
- Medium acidity
- Spicy
- Nutty
- Chocolate
- Earthy
Asian Coffee
India
- Full body
- Spicy
- Medium acidity
- Tropical fruits
China
- Medium body
- Chocolate
- Smooth
Papua New Guinea
- Full body
- Medium acidity
- Fruity
- Earthy
Indonesia (Java)
- Full body
- Low acidity
- Chocolate
- Nutty
- Creamy
Indonesia (Sumatra)
- Full body
- Intense
- Earthy
- Woody
- Low Acidity
Yemen
Do you know that Mocha coffee is called so because of the Yemenese port?
- Full body
- Chocolate
- Winey
Australasian Coffee
Australia
- Medium body
- Medium acidity
- Mild
- Juicy
- Syrupy
Hawaii
- Medium body
- Low acidity
- Vanilla
- Brown sugar
Coffee is an exciting commodity and specialty product and a delicious beverage. What’s your favorite coffee origin?
