Expert Ranking: The Top Coffee-Growing Nations in the World
From Colombia to Ethiopia, the global production of coffee is on the rise and the world’s leading coffee-growing nations are competing to produce the perfect cup of java. But which countries produce the most delicious beans? We’ve consulted the experts and compiled a list of the top 5 coffee-growing nations to help you narrow down the field.
1. Colombia
Colombia is the world’s top producer of Arabica beans, providing an estimated 14.5 percent of the world’s coffee production. This South American nation has a unique flavor profile, providing a mix of sweetness, body, and acidity in the cup. Coffee farmers here produce the famous “Coffee Triangle”, a specific geography of the country yielding some of the best tasting and aromatic coffees in the world.
2. Ethiopia
This African nation is the birthplace of coffee and the biggest producer of wild Arabica beans. In Ethiopia, the coffee cherries are handpicked, processed, and roasted over open wood fires in the traditional “washed process” style. This country’s coffee has fruit notes such as berry or dried fruit flavoring, a thick body, and sharp intense flavor.
3. Brazil
This South American nation is the world’s leading producer of coffee, providing nearly 25 percent of all coffee consumed around the globe. What you’ll find in Brazilian coffee is a balanced body with creamy aftertaste. Depending on where in the country you purchase the beans, you can find varieties with nutty, caramel, or chocolate characteristics.
4. India
India is the world’s fourth-largest producer and fourth-largest consumer of coffee. It’s also the world’s leading producer of organic and fair-trade certified coffees. In general, expect to find an earthy note, moderate acidity, and a light to medium body when you brew a cup of Indian coffee.
5. Indonesia
This Southeast Asian nation produces about 8 percent of the world’s coffee. Indonesian coffee has a bold, heavy body and low acidity, resulting in coffee with a smooth and aromatic finish. Look for earthy and smoky flavor notes such as cedar, tobacco, and leather.
So what’s the takeaway? Whether you’re in the mood for a light and fruity cup of Colombian or a bold and smoky Indonesian blend, these five countries produce the finest coffees in the world. Start sipping and enjoy!
Expert Ranking: The Top Coffee-Growing Nations in the World
Coffee is a popular beverage enjoyed by many people around the world. The main ingredient of coffee, coffee beans, is produced in coffee-growing countries that specialize in this industry. To determine who the biggest coffee producers are, experts have determined the top coffee-growing nations in the world.
According to the International Coffee Organization, the largest producer of coffee by numbers is Brazil with a total of 2.7 million metric tons of coffee produced in 2018. Brazil has been the top coffee-growing nation for many years due to its favorable weather conditions that are ideal for growing coffee and its vast coffee plantations.
The second-largest coffee producer is Vietnam, which produced 1.7 million metric tons in 2018. Vietnam has overtaken Colombia in recent years and has become a major coffee exporter. Here, most of the coffee is robusta and is mainly grown in the highlands of the Central region.
Colombia is the third-largest producer of coffee in the world. It produces over 1 million metric tons of coffee each year from its many smallholder farms. Colombia is famous for its arabica beans, which are known to have a smooth taste and high quality.
The fourth and fifth largest producers of coffee are Indonesia and Ethiopia, who respectively produced 0.5 million and 0.2 million metric tons in 2018. Indonesia is known for its arabica coffee which is grown in southeast Sulawesi and is known for its robust flavor. Ethiopia is well-known for its distinctive coffee production methods, which involve drying coffee beans in the sun and having unique processing methods.
Overall, Brazil is the clear leader in coffee production due to its robust coffee plantations, favorable weather conditions, and experienced workforce. Vietnam has also been increasing in production in recent years due to its massive arabica crops and production methods. Lastly, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are competing for the remaining positions in the top 5.
Producing coffee is a skill and art mastered by the coffee-growing nations listed; without the people involved in the production of coffee, our beloved cup of morning joe would not be available. To that end, the experts have ranked the top five coffee-producing nations in the world to give you an idea of where the majority of our coffee comes from.