Coffee Bean Characteristics

Coffee plants grow in a number of geographical areas, and for this reason the oils and fats that determine the bean aroma vary according to temperature, the degree of humidity and the earth the plant grows in.

CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA COFFEE BEANS

Caffee Arabica is the predominant type cultivated by the washed method.
The beans are:

• acidulous
• light-bodied
• highly aromatic

Countries: Porto Rico, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Santo Domingo, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Salvador, Nicaragua.

SOUTH AMERICA COFFEE BEANS

Mainly washed and natural Arabica.
The beans are:

• acidulous
• light-bodied
• highly aromatic

Countries: Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia.

Natural Arabica is grown in Brazil only.
The beans are:

• from neutral to mild, depending on origin and coffee type
• medium-bodied
• balanced

ASIA COFFEE BEANS

Heavy concentration of washed Robusta.
The beans are:

• strong
• full-bodied
• chocolaty

Countries: Java, India, Indonesia, N. Guinea

Washed Robusta is also quite common.
The beans are:

• strong
• full-bodied
• woody

Countries: India, Indonesia and Vietnam

A small amount of Natural Arabica is also cultivated.
The beans are:

• from neutral to mild, depending on origin and coffee type
• medium-bodied
• balanced

Coffea Arabica is grown in India only.

AFRICA COFFEE BEANS

Washed Arabica.
The beans are:

• acidulous
• light-bodied
• very aromatic

Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Zimbabwe

Natural Arabica is also grown in Ethiopia.
The beans are:

• from neutral to mild, depending on origin and coffee type
• medium-bodied
• balanced

Natural Robusta is typically:

• strong
• full-bodied
• woody

Countries: Uganda, Cameroon, Congo, Togo and the Ivory Coast