What is the Coffee Belt?
You have probably heard the term the coffee belt and wondered what the heck is that. Is it a tool used to make coffee, an accessory that you wear, or just a phrase someone made up one day?
If you have no clue, don’t worry neither did I before I started researching it. In this article, I will discuss everything you need to know about what the coffee belt is and why it is so special to cover lovers around the world. So, what is the coffee belt? Let’s find out.
What is the coffee belt?
In simplest terms, the coffee belt is the strip of land around the equator where all of the coffee in the world is produced. If you measure the north edge to the south edge of the band it is approximately 3200 miles, or 5100 kilometers. Pretty cool, right.
The coffee belt runs through five continents and includes approximately seventy countries that produce 20 billion pounds of coffee each year.
Where is the coffee belt?
Have you ever wondered why certain countries and areas seem to produce most of the coffee in the world? When you think about the production of coffee, which places come to mind? If you are anything like me, you probably immediately picture Costa Rica and Columbia. But, why is that? The simplest answer is the geography of these countries, which is where the coffee belt comes in.
We know that the coffee belt is a band that wraps around the globe at the equator, but let’s get more specific. The coffee belt is the strip of land between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, 25°N and 30°S.
It includes countries throughout Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. Coffee first originated in Ethiopia, and quickly became so popular that other countries began producing their own versions of it.
Why does coffee grow so well in the coffee belt?
There are a few reasons why the coffee in the region grows so well. This area of the world allows the coffee plants to have the climate they need in order to grow successfully. The plants will get the rain and shade they need, but also the cool temperature that helps them grow.
This area has rich soil from the volcanic activity in the region. The geographical region of the coffee belt is perfect for coffee plants because:
- Sufficient amount of rain and a distinct dry season
- Area features sunny days and cool temperatures
- Altitude is high enough for the coffee plants to grow and thrive
- Fertile and rich soil has the minerals the coffee plants need
While these plants can grow outside of the coffee belt, the best ones are grown in this region. Let’s take a closer look at each feature that makes this area of the world so special.
Rain & Dry Season:
In order for coffee plants to grow and thrive they need a wet, cool climate. This is why it is so important that the region gets a lot of rain throughout the year. It is also important to have a dry season in the region so that you can harvest the coffee beans. The harvest season usually lasts between two and three months.
Cool, Stable Temperature:
In order for coffee plants to successfully grow, they need stable temperatures. The best range in temperatures to be able to grow high-quality coffee is between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). You will also want to make sure that the region gives the plants plenty of shade.
Too much exposure to sun is not good for the coffee plants. The shade helps to not only protect them. It will also lengthen the ripening time which will create a more robust, complex flavor profile.
High Altitude:
As I stated above, coffee plants need cool, stable temperatures to thrive. Most of the countries along the equator are very hot and humid. This is why most of the coffee grown in these countries are at higher altitudes, between 3,300 and 6,600 feet (1,000 to 3,000 meters). The high altitude offers the cool and stable temperature that the coffee plants need in order to grow.
Rich Soil:
The quality of the soil is vital to how well your coffee plants grow and thrive. The best type of soil for coffee is volcanic soil. This is why many of the countries that are part of the coffee belt are also a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The volcanic activity in these regions provide the nutrients and richness of the soil that the plants love.
While many of the regions have similar climates and conditions, they are distinct enough to produce different types, and flavors, of coffee beans.
What countries are part of the coffee belt?
As I stated before, there are around 70 countries that make up the coffee belt. However, only 44 of them produce and export coffee of a significant amount. These countries include well-known ones such as Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Equador, and Jamaica.
As well as others such as Uganda, Tanzania, Guinea, Yemen, and many others. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more interesting ones by region.
Asia:
Vietnam:
Vietnam has been a major player in the coffee world for a long time. It is the second largest coffee producing region in the world. This is thanks to its production of the Robusta coffee bean which is used in coffees around the world. The only coffee bean that is more popular is the Arabica coffee bean.
Philippines:
Philippines is another major player in the coffee world. It’s most famous type of coffee is the civet coffee, also known as Kopi Lowak coffee. Have you tried it?
Africa:
Ethiopia:
Ethiopia is where it all started. If you are a coffee fanatic, then you can thank this country for giving it to you. Coffee originated in Ethiopia a long time ago and quickly spread around the world due to its popularity.
The coffee you get from this country is very different from others you find around the world. Their coffee is packed with fruity flavors, blueberry being the most prominent. When people think of blueberry coffee, they think of Ethiopia.
Kenya:
Kenya is known for its rich soil and quality coffee. Like Ethiopia, Kenya’s coffee is very fruity in flavor, especially black currant. The country has a very strict rating system so that only the best coffee gets exported from it. If you are looking for quality coffee beans, then look for those that are produced in Kenya.
North & Central America:
Guatemala:
Guatemala features the rich, volcanic soil that gives the coffee plants the nutrients they need to grow. 97% of the coffee produced in this country is of the Arabica variety, which is the most popular for a reason. Many people say that the coffee beans from Guatemala have a spicy chocolate flavor profile. If that’s your jam, then you should give them a try and find out for yourself.
Mexico:
Mexico is one of the largest coffee exporters on the planet. They focus on small batch and organically certified coffee beans.
Puerto Rico:
Puerto Rico is one of the top coffee-producing regions in the world. They have been hit hard by the competition that has been popping up. However, they are making a great comeback with their Yauco Selecto coffee beans, one of the best in the world today.
Hawaii:
Hawaii produces one of the most famous types of coffee in the world, Kona Coffee. It is grown in the region of the Mauna Loa Volcano. The soil is rich in minerals and perfect for growing high-quality coffee beans. If you want to try this coffee, it is going to cost you. The demand is huge, and the supply is low. Kona Coffee has been considered one of the best since the 18th century.
South America:
Brazil:
Brazil is the number one exporter of coffee around the world. Their coffee production takes up most of the growing soil in the country. They grow both Arabica coffee beans and Robusta coffee beans. If you love coffee, then odds are that you have had coffee from Brazil before.
Colombia:
Colombia is another important coffee exporter. This country makes up 8% of the coffee sold around the world. They focus on growing Arabica coffee beans utilizing small farm production. This country focuses on high-quality of high quantity when it comes to producing coffee.
Final Thoughts:
The coffee belt is extremely important to the production of coffee around the world. It is important that we help to conserve it, so that we can continue to enjoy high-quality, delicious coffee in the future. Now that you know more about the different regions and countries you may be wondering which one you should choose.
This is really a personal choice that only you can answer. I suggest that you try coffee from the various countries and see which ones you tend to enjoy the most. You can also buy some sample packs or sign up for a coffee subscription service so that you can try a wide variety of coffee from around the globe.
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