21 origins

Coffee origins

Legendary growing regions across the coffee belt — each with its own terroir and tradition.

The global coffee belt
The coffee belt
Between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn — coffee thrives in 70+ countries.
Africa

Ethiopia

01

The birthplace of Arabica coffee. Ethiopian coffees are renowned for their complex floral and fruit-forward profiles.

Altitude
1500 – 2200 m
Harvest window
Oct – Jan
Processing
Washed, Natural
Varieties
Heirloom, Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Harrar
Flavour profile

Floral, jasmine, bergamot, citrus, tea-like body.

Middle East

Yemen

02

Home of the legendary Mokha port. Yemeni coffee is grown on ancient terraces with traditional dry processing.

Altitude
1500 – 2400 m
Harvest window
Oct – Dec
Processing
Natural (sun-dried)
Varieties
Udaini, Dawairi, Tuffahi, Mokha
Flavour profile

Wine-like, chocolate, dried fruit, deep spice, smoky finish.

South America

Brazil

03

The world's largest coffee producer. Brazilian beans form the backbone of countless espresso blends.

Altitude
800 – 1600 m
Harvest window
May – Sep
Processing
Natural, Pulped Natural
Varieties
Bourbon, Catuai, Mundo Novo, Yellow Bourbon
Flavour profile

Nutty, chocolate, low acidity, heavy body, smooth.

South America

Colombia

04

Famous for its consistent quality and balanced cups, grown in the lush Andean mountains.

Altitude
1200 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Sep – Jan (main), Apr – Jun (mitaca)
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Caturra, Castillo, Typica, Colombia
Flavour profile

Balanced, caramel sweetness, red apple, citrus, clean finish.

Africa

Kenya

05

Kenyan coffees are prized for their bright, fruit-forward acidity and meticulous washed processing.

Altitude
1400 – 2100 m
Harvest window
Oct – Dec (main), Jun – Aug (fly)
Processing
Washed (double-fermented)
Varieties
SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, Batian
Flavour profile

Black currant, tomato, juicy acidity, wine-like, complex.

Central America

Guatemala

06

Volcanic soils and high-altitude microclimates create distinctive cups across many regions.

Altitude
1300 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Nov – Mar
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Pache
Flavour profile

Cocoa, toasted nuts, orange zest, bright acidity, full body.

Asia

Indonesia

07

Sumatra and Sulawesi produce coffees with deep, earthy character thanks to wet-hulling processing.

Altitude
1000 – 1700 m
Harvest window
Oct – Mar
Processing
Wet-hulled (Giling Basah), Natural
Varieties
Typica, Catimor, Sigararutang, Tim Tim
Flavour profile

Earthy, herbal, cedar, dark chocolate, low acidity, syrupy body.

Central America

Costa Rica

08

Pioneers of honey processing. Only Arabica is grown by law, ensuring high quality.

Altitude
1200 – 1900 m
Harvest window
Dec – Feb
Processing
Honey, Washed
Varieties
Caturra, Catuai, Villa Sarchi, Geisha
Flavour profile

Honey, stone fruit, tropical, clean sweetness, lively acidity.

Africa

Rwanda

09

Land of a Thousand Hills. Bourbon-dominant cultivation on small farms across volcanic slopes.

Altitude
1400 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Mar – Jul
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Bourbon, Jackson, Mibirizi
Flavour profile

Medium body, chocolate, floral and nutty.

Africa

Uganda

10

Africa's largest coffee exporter by volume. Bugisu region produces standout Arabica.

Altitude
1200 – 2200 m
Harvest window
Oct – Feb
Processing
Washed, Natural
Varieties
Bugisu, Robusta, SL-14
Flavour profile

Full body, chocolate, deep sweetness.

Central America

El Salvador

11

Home of the Pacamara cultivar. Volcanic terroir produces refined, balanced cups.

Altitude
1200 – 1800 m
Harvest window
Nov – Feb
Processing
Washed, Honey, Natural
Varieties
Pacamara, Bourbon, Pacas
Flavour profile

Mild acidity, vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate, pear.

Central America

Honduras

12

Central America's largest producer. Six distinct growing regions across mountainous terrain.

Altitude
1100 – 1700 m
Harvest window
Nov – Apr
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Catuai, Caturra, Bourbon, Lempira
Flavour profile

Crisp, light-bodied, nutty and spicy.

Central America

Panama

13

Home of record-setting Geisha lots. Boquete and Volcán regions lead specialty production.

Altitude
1300 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Dec – Mar
Processing
Washed, Natural, Honey
Varieties
Geisha, Caturra, Catuai, Typica
Flavour profile

Zesty and lively, spicy and herbal, lemongrass.

South America

Peru

14

Largely organic, smallholder-driven. Andean highlands produce clean, balanced cups.

Altitude
1200 – 2000 m
Harvest window
May – Sep
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Catimor
Flavour profile

Medium body and acidity, spicy and nutty, chocolate, earthy.

Asia

India

15

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu produce both Arabica and Robusta. Famed for the unique Monsooned process.

Altitude
700 – 1600 m
Harvest window
Nov – Feb
Processing
Washed, Natural, Monsooned
Varieties
S795, Kent, Selection 9, Robusta
Flavour profile

Full body, spicy, medium acidity, tropical fruit. Monsooned Malabar is iconic.

Asia

Papua New Guinea

16

Highland coffees from Mt Hagen, Sigri and Bunum Wo express tropical fruit and earthy depth.

Altitude
1300 – 1900 m
Harvest window
Apr – Sep
Processing
Washed
Varieties
Typica, Bourbon, Arusha
Flavour profile

Full body, medium acidity, fruity and earthy.

Central America

Nicaragua

17

The Jinotega and Nueva Segovia highlands produce silky, dessert-leaning specialty cups.

Altitude
1100 – 1700 m
Harvest window
Nov – Mar
Processing
Washed, Honey, Natural
Varieties
Caturra, Bourbon, Maracaturra, Pacamara
Flavour profile

Cocoa, toffee, soft stone fruit, balanced body.

North America

Mexico

18

Chiapas and Oaxaca produce mostly organic, shade-grown beans with delicate flavor profiles.

Altitude
900 – 1700 m
Harvest window
Nov – Mar
Processing
Washed, Natural
Varieties
Bourbon, Typica, Mundo Novo, Garnica
Flavour profile

Light body, brown sugar, nutty, soft cocoa, gentle acidity.

Africa

Burundi

19

Small but mighty origin — Burundi's washed Bourbons rival Kenya in clarity and brightness.

Altitude
1400 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Apr – Jul
Processing
Washed, Natural
Varieties
Bourbon, Jackson, Mibirizi
Flavour profile

Black currant, grapefruit, brown sugar, floral lift.

Africa

Tanzania

20

Slopes of Kilimanjaro yield 'peaberry' beans famed for their bright fruit and tea-like character.

Altitude
1200 – 2000 m
Harvest window
Jul – Mar
Processing
Washed, Natural
Varieties
Kent, Bourbon, Nyara, Kibo
Flavour profile

Black tea, citrus, blackberry, wine-like acidity.

Asia

Vietnam

21

World's second-largest producer, primarily Robusta. Famed for sweet Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá).

Altitude
500 – 1500 m
Harvest window
Oct – Jan
Processing
Natural, Washed
Varieties
Robusta, Catimor, Arabica TN1
Flavour profile

Robusta-dominant: bold, bittersweet chocolate, woody, low acidity.

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