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§ Origins
Browse the world’s coffee origins across continent, flavor, variety and altitude. Trace the outline of your next cup here.
01BrazilThe world's largest coffee producer. Many mechanized large-scale farms give it a strength in stable supply, and it is used worldwide as an espresso base.
The world's #2 producer and the largest robusta origin. Used in huge volumes for instant and canned coffee.
03ColombiaHarvested year-round with reliably consistent quality. The FNC (National Federation of Coffee Growers) oversees quality control.
06HondurasGrew rapidly after 2011 to become Central America's largest exporter. IHCAFE drives quality improvement. Infrastructure remains a challenge, but its standing in the specialty market is rising.
07IndiaThe Western Ghats of southern India are the main region. Known for the unique 'monsooned' process. Much is shade-grown under spice-plantation canopies.
09PeruOne of South America's leading organic coffee origins, grown in the high Andes. A smallholder-led system with strong fair-trade affinity.
10GuatemalaVolcanic soils and diverse microclimates produce complex flavors. ANACAFÉ handles quality control.
11MexicoNorth America's largest coffee producer. A high share of organic cultivation and many fair-trade-certified regions. Smallholders dominate, with production led by Indigenous communities.
12China (Yunnan)Yunnan province in southwestern China is the main region. Nestlé, Starbucks and others have supported quality since the 1990s. Specialty-minded micro-lots have emerged, with more coffees scoring over 80 SCAA points.
13NicaraguaCentral America's largest country, with vast coffee regions. Many smallholders give it strong fair-trade affinity, and its profile as a specialty origin is rising rapidly.
14Costa RicaThe only country to have banned robusta cultivation by law (1988). Known as the birthplace of honey processing, with advanced mill (beneficio) techniques.
One of West Africa's largest robusta producers. Grown in the forest belt, it is known for stable bitterness and body. A historically major producer now pursuing quality improvement.
Native varieties such as SL28 and SL34 create a distinctive flavor. The auction (double-auction) system helps sustain quality.
20TanzaniaFamous for regions on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and known for yielding many peaberries. Coffee is an important Tanzanian export.
25El SalvadorCentral America's smallest country, yet about a third of its land suits highland coffee. Much Bourbon, with volcanic soil giving distinctive sweetness. It rose in the specialty market during post-civil-war recovery.
The southern Bolaven Plateau is the center of arabica Typica cultivation. Introduced in the French colonial era, its specialty-minded micro-lots are gaining recognition.
A traditional Caribbean origin. Much goes to domestic consumption, but highland lots from the Cibao region are also actively exported to the US. A balanced profile with Caribbean-style sweetness.
Arabica is grown in the northern mountains (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) and robusta in the south. The Thai Royal Project's 'Doi Chaang' and 'Doi Tung' represent its high-quality specialty.
Once a leading South American coffee exporter. Grown in the western Andes and historically known as the "Maracaibo" type. Production shrank amid political and economic turmoil, but its mellow, sweet, lower-acidity character endures.
A West African robusta producer, grown mainly in the southwestern Plateaux region. With stable bitterness and body, it is traded mostly for blends and instant coffee.
A historic giant that produced over half the world’s coffee in the 18th century. Now small in scale, but the tradition of shade-growing heirloom Typica survives, known as the mellow, low-acid "Haitian Bleu."
34PhilippinesA rare country that grows the globally scarce Liberica (Barako) alongside arabica and robusta. It ranges from highland arabica in Benguet to lowland robusta. A former major producer now reviving and raising quality.
The only coffee-growing region in the US. The Kona district on the Big Island is the most famous, counted among the world's three great coffees alongside Blue Mountain. Very high growing costs make it a rarity.
An emerging origin gaining specialty attention, centered on Shan State. High-altitude arabica is clean and fruity, and reputation is rising on the back of internationally supported quality work.
The birthplace of the 'Timor hybrid,' a natural arabica-robusta cross. Much shade-grown organic cultivation with a high fair-trade share. An Asian profile resembling Mandheling.
A historic robusta giant that ranked 4th in the world in the 1970s. Devastated by civil war, it is now being rebuilt — bold northern robusta plus small amounts of highland arabica.
44Puerto RicoA historic premium Caribbean origin. Grown in the west-central mountains, it produced the renowned "Yauco Selecto." Output is small, but the cup is mellow, balanced and refined.
A landlocked East African country. Led by smallholder organic and fair-trade cultivation. Low volume, but known for a clean, refined profile.
45Sri LankaA major coffee producer in the 19th century until leaf rust devastated it in 1869, after which it turned to tea. Today, on a small scale, a revival is underway in the central highlands. Spicy and rustic in flavor.
50JamaicaBlue Mountain is one of the world's three great coffees. Much is exported to Japan — about 80% of production.
50BoliviaSouth America's hidden high-quality origin. Centered on the Yungas region at 1,500–2,200m and led by smallholder organic cultivation. Low volume but highly rated at Cup of Excellence; export infrastructure is a challenge.
An emerging high-altitude specialty origin epitomized by Alishan. Output is tiny, but careful growing and processing earn high marks at international competitions. Clean and delicate, with a tea-like sweetness.
An emerging origin grown in the Himalayan foothills. Output is tiny, but it is largely organic, with a clean, bright flavor that reflects the altitude.
A country-by-country index of 10 regions with in-depth guides — start from whichever region interests you.