Like wine, coffee carries the character of the land it grows on. The same variety, in different soils, tells completely different stories. Here are five of the world's most remarkable coffee regions.
Coffee Geography
Like wine, coffee carries the character of the land it grows on. The same variety, in different soils, tells completely different stories. Here are five of the world's most remarkable coffee regions.
In the world of coffee, the word 'terroir' matters almost as much as it does in wine. Altitude, climate, soil, shade, harvest time — all of these shape the character of the bean in the cup. The same Arabica plant grown in Kenya's volcanic soil will taste completely different from one grown on the slopes of the Colombian Andes. Here are five of the most celebrated coffee regions in the world.
Ethiopia — The birthplace of coffee. Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Guji produce some of the most aromatic coffees in the world. These coffees typically carry floral notes (jasmine, rose), fruity notes (bergamot, strawberry) and a tea-like delicacy. Ethiopian coffee is often described as 'the moment coffee comes closest to wine' — the character is that nuanced and elegant. A cup shaped by rainfall and sunlight in ways that are hard to reproduce.
Kenya — The shining star of East Africa. The volcanic soils of the Rift Valley and high elevations give Kenyan coffee extraordinary brightness and acidity. The first sip brings blackcurrant, blackberry and tomato-like richness; the finish is wine-like and clean. Kenya's SL28 and SL34 varieties are among the most sought-after beans in specialty coffee.
Colombia — The diplomat of coffee. Colombian coffee has neither the complexity of Ethiopia nor the brightness of Kenya; instead, it offers superb balance. Grown on the slopes of the Andes, these coffees are known for balanced acidity, caramelised sweetness, chocolate and nutty notes. A profile loved by beginners and connoisseurs alike. Huila, Nariño and Antioquia are Colombia's most distinctive corners.
Guatemala — The land of smoke and chocolate. Antigua and Huehuetenango are where volcanic soil meets cool mountain climate. Guatemalan coffees typically offer dark chocolate, caramel and lightly smoky, woody notes. They give a wonderful body in espresso and a rich sweetness in filter. You can taste this character directly in Numerica's Guatemala-origin products.
Yemen — Where the legend began. Though a little in the shadow of the modern specialty coffee world, Yemen is where systematic coffee production started. Yemeni coffees are known as 'mocha' — after the port of Al Mokha — and typically carry wine-like fruity, lightly fermented notes. Wild and characterful, unconventional but unforgettable.
Numerica's portfolio includes carefully selected single origins from these regions. Every cup is a fingerprint of geography.
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