Where do coffee beans come from? eye opening revelation

Explaining that “coffee comes from coffee beans” is as basic as stating that cars come from car dealerships – it lacks depth. In this article, I delve into some essential questions directly. What exactly constitutes a coffee bean? Where do these beans originate? And what processes are involved in their production?

Where Do Coffee Beans Come From?

Coffee has its roots in Western Africa. The discovery of the first Arabica coffee plant traces back to Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi observed his goats becoming unusually energetic after consuming its seeds. The exact origin of Robusta beans is less clear, but they were initially cultivated in the Congo.

What Is the Coffee Bean Belt?

Today, global coffee production exceeds 20 billion pounds annually, with coffee beans cultivated across numerous regions worldwide. These commercial coffee farms lie within what is known as the coffee bean belt. Spanning latitudes from 25 degrees North to 30 degrees South, this belt encompasses countries around the Earth’s equator, offering optimal conditions for coffee cultivation. Brazil leads as the world’s largest coffee producer, followed by Vietnam and Colombia. Prime coffee-growing regions include Central and South America, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.