The coffee is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. People like it for its delicious aroma, and its unique taste. Millions of people are simply addicted to this magic drink, and cannot start their day without drinking a big cup of coffee. As you may already know, the coffee contains caffeine, which helps people to stay focused for longer times. However, it is not recommended to be consumed in large amounts.
Since thousands of years ago, coffee was cultivated in many countries, all around the world. There are many types of coffees, and they are produced in different corners of the world. If you are curious about the biggest coffee producers, here is a top 10 of the coffee growing countries:
10. Mexico
Mexico is number ten in the largest coffee growing countries, in the entire world. According to the history, the coffee arrived in Mexico in the 18th century, coming from the Antilles. Mexico is producing mostly a variety of Arabica coffee. In the last year, they became the major coffee exporter in the United States. Most of the coffee is cultivated in the coastal regions of the country, but the southern region is very popular for growing it.
9. Peru
Number 9, Peru, is another country from South America, which produces large quantities of coffee. South America is the third largest coffee producer and exporter. Peru is famous all around the world for its organic coffee. They produce mostly Arabica coffee, and the coffee industry is the most important employer of the country. The grow coffee in every area of Peru, even if in some regions the coffee plantations are quite small.
8. Indonesia
Indonesia is also a very important coffee growing country. It all started when Indonesia was occupied by the colonists. They usually grow Canephor and Arabica types of coffee, but the Arabica from Indonesia has one of the best quality available on the international market. A major part of the Indonesian population works in the coffee industry. It is important to remember that Indonesia is one of the first country that started to grow coffee.
7. Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a very long tradition in growing coffee, and it is one of the largest producers from Africa. They usually grow Arabica coffee, and it is a very important part of the Ethiopian economy. They produce around 3% of the entire market in the world, and more than 60% of the income from exports comes from coffee. Around 15 million of people work in the coffee industry, being a major support for the Ethiopian citizens.
Other types of coffee grown here are the Sidamo and the Harar, two African specialties, appreciated by coffee drinkers all around the world. These varieties are a special trademark of Ethiopia, kept on the market under the African name.
6. Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the largest coffee producers in Asia. Most of the people are surprised to hear that coffee is a big industry in Vietnam, but it really is. Vietnamese people were quite serious about growing coffee, so they became one of the most important producers in the world. The coffee was brought to Vietnam by the French colonists, and they started to grow it in the late 1800s. Nowadays, Vietnam is producing around two billion pounds of coffee every year, being one of the best producers. The coffee cultivated here has a special flavor and aroma, and coffee drinkers really appreciate it.
5. Colombia
Colombia is one of the largest coffee growing countries since forever, and they are even famous for the quality of their coffee. Some people even say they have the best coffee in the world. The Colombian coffee is very mild, and has a special flavor, appreciated by many coffee drinkers. It is true that the coffee bean have a high quality that is hard to be reached by other countries. The coffee is produced since the 18th century, but Colombia started the exported only in the 19th century.
4. Guatemala
Guatemala is almost famous for its coffee production, which has a special flavor and it is very appreciated by the passionate coffee drinkers. They usually grow Antigua and Coban coffee types. Until 2010, Guatemala was the largest coffee producer in the United States. The weather in Guatemala is perfect for growing coffee, which allowed the country to produce huge amounts of fine quality of coffee.
3. Nicaragua
Coffee production in Nicaragua has a long history, and it is one of the main industries of the country. There are many coffee plantations in Nicaragua, all around the country. They started to grow it the 19th century, and it became the main activity for its citizens. Nowadays, even with the poor system and the limitations, the coffee is explored even in the low developed areas of the country.
2. India
India is the second largest coffee growing country in the world. They grow coffee especially in the South Indian states, like Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Only Karnataka produces 53% of the entire coffee production in India. The Indians are famous for its unique style of growing the coffee: they do it in the shade, instead of using the sunlight, like many other countries.
India is usually growing Robusta and Arabica coffee types, and more than 80% of it is exported. India has cultivated coffee since from the very beginning, and is one of the first countries involved in this industry.
1. Brazil
Brazil is the largest and the most important coffee producer in the world. They are leading this top for more than 150 years, and things don’t seem to change soon. Brazil is growing coffee in plantations on more than 10.000 square miles, located all over the country. The best coffee is cultivated in the south-east of the country, in states like Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and Parana. The weather is perfect for coffee production in these states.
Brazil coffee exports generated, only in 2013, over $5.15 billion, from the 32-33 million of coffee beans bags exported.