Coffee drinking has become very popular around the world, especially since it's available on nearly every street corner coffee shop and quick mart. Coffee beans are grown in many regions between the Tropic of Cancer to the North and the Tropic of Capricorn below the equator. Coffee can grow anywhere from sea level up to about 7,000 feet, which leads to many different possibilities to satisfy any taste. However, the highest quality grades of coffee are grown at the higher altitudes. There are over eighty countries that produce coffee. The following are two of the larger coffee producing regions in the world today:
Brazil:
Coffee was first introduced to Brazil in 1727. Today, Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee – producing about 25% of the world's supply. About 80% of the coffee beans grown in Brazil are Arabica. Brazil is also known in the specialty coffee industry. Brazilian farms grow primarily Bourbon, Typica, Caturra and Mundo Novo coffee cultivars.
The Brazilian harvests take place between March and October. The farmers harvest the coffee cherries by strip picking and other mechanical methods. Depending on the weather conditions, either the dry or wet method of bean processing is used.
Columbia:
Coffee was introduced in Columbia in the early 1800's. Today Columbia is second only to Brazil as the world's largest coffee producer. Columbia produces about 12% of the world's supply of coffee. The Columbian coffees are rich in flavor with a heavy body and bright acidity. They are known to be intensely aromatic.
The Columbian harvests take place between October and February, and then again between April and June. Columbian farms grow Bourbon, Typica, Caturra and Maragogype coffee cultivars.