Where Does Coffee Grow? – The Story of How Coffee Grows
Have you ever wondered where coffee, a natural wonder, grows? If so, we'll tell you about the fascinating journey coffee makes from soil to cup! Are you one of those people who gets a boost from the aroma and smell of a cup of coffee when you wake up? Research shows that even the smell of coffee can stimulate the mind and boost our energy levels.
Coffee is one of those plants that requires specific conditions to grow. Today, it can only grow in certain regions of the world. The climate and elevation where the tree grows are the most important factors that determine the coffee's aroma and flavor. In fact, the plants and fruits grown in coffee-growing regions also determine the coffee's flavor.
In Which Climate Does Coffee Grow?
The coffee tree grows in regions with tropical and equatorial climates. It grows in countries located between 25 degrees north and 25 degrees south of the equator. Today, coffee is cultivated in nearly 80 countries, from Asia to the Americas.
Considering the characteristics of tropical and equatorial climates, coffee prefers to grow in climates with abundant rainfall and dryness, with temperatures between 20-30°C. Coffee trees cannot grow in regions where temperatures drop below 8°C. The plant dies when temperatures drop below 5°C.
Considering the global coffee market today, coffee is a significant economic resource for the countries where it is grown. Consequently, coffee-growing countries are investing in improving coffee farming and cultivating the finest coffee.
Which Country Does Coffee Belong To?
Coffee originally comes from the Kaffa region in southwestern Ethiopia. However, because coffee is a widely consumed beverage worldwide, it's no longer possible to definitively identify its origin. Many countries around the world produce and consume coffee. However, the largest coffee-producing countries include Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Which Tree Grows Coffee?
The coffee tree is known as the tree that produces the coffee fruit. It is a species found in tropical and subtropical regions. Therefore, it is generally cultivated in high-altitude, mountainous regions. The coffee tree can grow to a height of approximately 5-6 meters. It also has leaves, flowers, and fruit. The coffee fruit grows on the tree as a reddish berry containing coffee beans. After these fruits are harvested and processed, the coffee beans are obtained and used to make coffee.
Where Does the Coffee Tree Grow?
Before we delve into where the coffee tree grows worldwide, we'd like to take a closer look at the coffee tree. Today, it's cultivated in many parts of the world. However, it originated in the Arabian Peninsula and spread globally from there.
A coffee tree matures within five years of planting. Once mature, it can bear fruit continuously for 30-40 years. The coffee tree is a dwarf tree whose leaves remain green year-round. In fact, this plant can grow to a height of 8-10 meters. However, due to production techniques, it is allowed to reach a maximum height of 3 meters.
The coffee tree's flowers are white. These flowers have a pleasant fragrance reminiscent of jasmine. However, the coffee tree's flowers are short-lived. They typically bloom after rain and fall off a few days later. Then, the coffee berry begins to grow. The coffee berry is initially green and quite firm. As it ripens, it turns red. Its color and appearance resemble cherries. These berries are approximately 1.5 cm long.
Arabica and Robusta
There are two most commonly cultivated species of coffee trees in the world: the Arabica tree and the Robusta tree. The fruits of these two trees are easily distinguishable by the discerning eye. However, they differ significantly in both their growing conditions and their flavor characteristics.
The most common coffee tree species in the world is Arabica. Arabica is less durable and more difficult to cultivate than Robusta because it is susceptible to parasites and heat. Despite this, the coffee beans from this tree are preferred by coffee-growing countries because they are of higher quality.
Robusta coffee trees thrive in more humid and warmer regions. Their products are of lower quality than Arabica coffee trees. While Arabica coffee has a more aromatic and milder flavor, Robusta coffee has a more acidic, bitter taste, and is more difficult to digest.
Does Coffee Grow in Türkiye?
Given Türkiye's climate, it's unlikely that it will produce a quality crop. However, coffee-enthusiastic farmers in our country cultivate coffee on a very small area. Small-scale coffee cultivation isn't enough to dominate the global coffee market. However, we can't claim that this will never happen.
Where is the Best Coffee Grown?
When it comes to specialty coffee, the first country that comes to mind is Brazil. Brazil is a giant in the global coffee market today. It produces some of the world's finest and highest-quality coffee and supplies a large portion of the world's coffee needs. After Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Guatemala are the next countries that come to mind. To provide coffee lovers with a quality coffee experience, it's crucial to select beans from the regions where the world's best coffees are grown.