Origin Grow Programs.
The complete environmental fingerprint for every coffee-producing origin on Earth. Temperature curves, rainfall patterns, soil chemistry, light conditions, and the climate that shapes every cup.
83 origins. 12 environmental parameters each. Compiled from NOAA, FAO, ICO, World Bank Climate Portal, weather station records, and peer-reviewed agronomy literature.
Coffee is a tree.
An evergreen shrub in the genus Coffea, family Rubiaceae. Typically pruned to 2-3 meters, but wild trees can reach 9 meters. Glossy dark leaves, white jasmine-scented flowers, and bright red fruit.
Species
Coffea arabica (60% of world production, complex flavor, self-pollinating, 44 chromosomes). Coffea canephora (Robusta, 40%, bold, caffeine-rich, 22 chromosomes). Coffea liberica and Coffea eugenioides (rare, niche).
Leaves
Dark green, waxy, elliptical, 6-12cm long. Opposite pairs along the branch. New growth is often bronze or coppery. The leaf tip color varies by varietal (bronze tip = Bourbon lineage, green tip = Typica).
Roots
Central taproot reaches 1-2 meters. Lateral roots spread in the top 30cm of soil where most nutrients concentrate. Coffee prefers deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5).
Lifespan
A coffee tree produces fruit for 20-30 years. Peak productivity is years 7-20. Some wild trees in Ethiopia are over 100 years old. One tree yields 2-4 lbs of green coffee per year (roughly 1-2 lbs of roasted).
Seed to cherry. 4 years.
From planting a seed to harvesting ripe fruit takes 3-4 years. Once established, the tree fruits annually, following the rhythm of wet and dry seasons.
Seed
A green coffee seed is planted 1cm deep in nursery soil. Kept moist, shaded, warm (20-25°C).
Germination
The seed cracks. A pale root emerges downward, a stem pushes upward carrying the seed like a helmet. This is called "the soldier."
Seedling
First true leaves emerge in opposite pairs. The cotyledon (seed helmet) falls off. Kept in a shade nursery for 6-12 months.
Transplant
Seedling is transplanted to the field. Spaced 2-3 meters apart, often planted under shade trees (banana, inga, avocado).
Growth
The tree grows, adds branches, develops its canopy. No fruit yet. The farmer prunes to shape: single stem or multi-stem. Lateral branches grow horizontally.
Flowering
After rain breaks a dry spell, the tree erupts in white flowers along every branch. Smells like jasmine. Lasts 2-3 days. Self-pollinating (Arabica) or cross-pollinating (Robusta).
Green Cherry
Where each flower was, a small green cherry develops. Two seeds inside, flat sides facing each other. If only one seed develops, it rounds into a peaberry.
Ripe Cherry
Over 6-9 months: green, yellow, orange, red. Slow ripening at altitude = more sugar = more complex flavor. Hand-picked selectively, only the red ones. 3-4 passes through the field.
Inside the cherry.
The "coffee bean" is a seed. It sits inside a fruit with six distinct layers. Each processing method removes these layers differently, and each layer contributes to flavor.
Skin (Exocarp)
Thin outer skin. Red when ripe (or yellow in Yellow Bourbon, Catuai Amarelo). Contains anthocyanins. Removed in all processing methods.
Pulp (Mesocarp)
Sweet, sticky fruit flesh. Tastes like watermelon crossed with hibiscus. In natural processing, this dries onto the seed and ferments, adding fruity sweetness. In washed processing, it is mechanically removed (depulped).
Mucilage
A sugary, honey-like gel clinging to the parchment. Rich in pectin and simple sugars. Honey processing leaves varying amounts on the seed (white=little, yellow=some, red=most, black=all). Ferments during processing, producing acids that affect flavor.
Parchment (Endocarp)
A thin, brittle papery shell protecting the seed. Coffee is stored and shipped "in parchment" for stability. Removed at the dry mill just before export. In wet-hulled Indonesian processing (Giling Basah), parchment is removed while still wet, which creates the distinctive earthy profile.
Silver Skin (Spermoderm)
A paper-thin membrane directly on the seed. Most comes off during roasting and floats away as "chaff." The fine dust in your roaster or grinder. Negligible flavor impact.
Seed (Endosperm)
The coffee "bean." Two per cherry, flat sides facing each other. If only one seed develops, it rounds into a peaberry. Contains all the oils, sugars, acids, and proteins that become flavor during roasting. Green, dense, and nearly odorless before roasting.
The Data.
Now that you know the plant, here is what each origin's environment looks like. 83 origins. 12 parameters each.
Yirgacheffe
Ethiopia · Gedeo Zone
1700-2200m
6.2°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
17-20°C
High 25° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
1200-1667mm
Wet: Apr-Oct
Dry: Nov-Feb
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic red-brown clay loam, well-draining · pH 5-6.5
Origin of Arabica. Heirloom landraces. Bimodal rainfall.
Sidamo
Ethiopia · Sidama Zone
1500-2500m
6.7°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-22°C
High 28° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1185-1294mm
Wet: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Dry: Dec-Feb
Light & Air
65-75% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Eutric Nitisols, deep volcanic clay >30% · pH 4.2-6.2
Bimodal rains. Lower zones warmer (24-26°C).
Harrar
Ethiopia · Eastern Highlands
1500-2100m
9.3°N · BSh
Arabica
Temperature
19-19°C
High 25° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
860-900mm
Wet: Mar-Oct (peak Aug)
Dry: Nov-Feb
Light & Air
55-65% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Laterite and clay loams · pH 5.5-7
Driest Ethiopian origin. Subtropical steppe. Natural process dominant.
Guji
Ethiopia · Guji Zone
1400-2100m
5.8°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
17-21°C
High 26° · Low 11°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: Bimodal
Dry: Dec-Feb
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic, mineral-rich, well-drained · pH 5-6.5
Wide diurnal range drives complexity. Heirloom varieties.
Kenya AA
Kenya · Nyeri / Central Highlands
1400-2200m
0.4°S · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
15.6-15.6°C
High 24° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: Mar-May, Oct-Dec
Dry: Jun-Sep, Jan-Feb
Light & Air
65-75% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic Nitisols, deep red, excellent drainage · pH 4.5-6
Equatorial but highland. Bimodal rains. SL28/SL34 varietals.
Rwanda
Rwanda · Lake Kivu
1200-1850m
2°S · Aw/Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
19-23°C
High 27° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 10-13°
Rainfall
1300-2000mm
Wet: Feb-May, Sep-Dec
Dry: Jun-Aug
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic ash/loam, highly fertile · pH 5-6.5
Red Bourbon dominant. Lake Kivu moderates climate.
Burundi
Burundi · Kayanza
1700-2000m
2.9°S · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-18°C
High 22° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1100-1400mm
Wet: Sep-Dec, Feb-May
Dry: Jun-Aug
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic, mineral-rich · pH 4.5-6
Washing station system (sogestal). Red Bourbon, Jackson.
Tanzania
Tanzania · Kilimanjaro
1000-1800m
3.3°S · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-23°C
High 28° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: Mar-May, Nov-Jan
Dry: Jun-Oct
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic from Kilimanjaro, deep, fertile · pH 5-6.5
Bimodal rains. Peaberry lots famous. Kent and Bourbon.
DR Congo
DR Congo · Kivu
1460-2000m
1.5°S · Aw/Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
19-24°C
High 25° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
1300-1800mm
Wet: Near-continuous (brief dry Jun-Aug)
Dry: Jun-Aug
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Virunga origin), very fertile · pH 5-6.5
Re-emerging. Blue Mountain lineage (Bourbon). Almost year-round rain.
Uganda
Uganda · Mt. Elgon
1300-2300m
1.1°N · Cfb/Cwb
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
17-23°C
High 30° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1200-2000mm
Wet: Apr, Oct peaks
Dry: Jul-Aug, Dec-Feb
Light & Air
80-80% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Deep volcanic clay-loam · pH 5-6.5
80% Robusta (lowlands). Fine Arabica from Bugisu/Sipi Falls.
South Sudan
South Sudan · W. Equatoria
600-1200m
4.5°N · Aw
Robusta/Arabica
Temperature
27-27°C
High 34° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 12-16°
Rainfall
1500-2200mm
Wet: Mar-Nov
Dry: Dec-Feb
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Laterite/ferralitic · pH 5-6
Mostly Robusta. Wild Arabica on Imatong highlands. Conflict-limited.
Malawi
Malawi · Misuku / Mt. Mulanje
1000-1500m
13°S · Cwa/Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-22°C
High 27° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
1300-2000mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Ferralitic with volcanic influence (Mulanje) · pH 4.5-6
Geisha and Agaro varietals. Mt. Mulanje >2000mm on south slopes.
Mozambique
Mozambique · Gorongosa / Namuli
800-1500m
15°S · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
20-25°C
High 30° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
1400-2000mm
Wet: Dec-Mar
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Granite-derived (Namuli inselberg) · pH 5-6.5
Rebuilding post-civil war. Bourbon, Catimor.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe · Chipinge
850-1130m
20°S · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-22°C
High 22° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1000-1200mm
Wet: Nov-Mar
Dry: Apr-Oct
Light & Air
65-75% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 9-11
Soil & pH
Volcanic, mineral-rich, well-drained · pH 5-6
Collapsed from 200k+ bags. SL28, SL34, Bourbon.
Cameroon
Cameroon · Bamenda Highlands
1200-1700m
5.9°N · Cfb/Cwb
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
18-24°C
High 27° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1800-2400mm
Wet: Mar-Oct
Dry: Nov-Feb
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Cameroon Volcanic Line) · pH 5-6.5
80% Robusta lowlands. Arabica in western highlands.
Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire · Man
300-500m
7.4°N · Aw
Robusta
Temperature
25-28°C
High 32° · Low 20°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
1500-2000mm
Wet: Mar-Oct
Dry: Nov-Feb
Light & Air
77-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Laterite/ferralitic · pH 5-6.5
95%+ Robusta. Was world #3. Low elevation.
Ghana
Ghana · Ashanti
200-300m
6.7°N · Am
Robusta
Temperature
24-28°C
High 32° · Low 21°
Diurnal: 8-10°
Rainfall
1500-2000mm
Wet: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
Dry: Dec-Feb
Light & Air
77-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Forest ochrosol (ferralitic) · pH 5-6.5
Robusta only. Too low/hot for Arabica.
Guinea
Guinea · Fouta Djallon
900-1500m
11°N · Aw/Cwb
Robusta/Arabica
Temperature
25-25°C
High 35° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 15-25°
Rainfall
1500-2300mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Laterite (iron/aluminum oxides) · pH 4.5-5.5
Extreme diurnal range. Some highland Arabica. Very seasonal humidity.
Liberia
Liberia · Nimba County
300-1000m
7.5°N · Am
Robusta/Liberica
Temperature
20-28°C
High 32° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
2000-2500mm
Wet: Apr-Oct
Dry: Nov-Mar
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Laterite/ferralitic · pH 4.5-5.5
Origin country of Coffea liberica. Nimba Mts to 1752m.
Nigeria
Nigeria · Taraba / Jos Plateau
1200-1600m
9°N · Aw
Robusta/Arabica
Temperature
21-25°C
High 30° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1100-2000mm
Wet: Jun-Sep
Dry: Oct-May
Light & Air
60-75% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Laterite over granite · pH 5-6
Mambilla Plateau can dip below 10°C in harmattan.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone · Kailahun
300-500m
8.3°N · Am
Robusta/Liberica
Temperature
25-28°C
High 33° · Low 21°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
2164-2164mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Mar
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 8-8 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Ferralitic · pH 4.5-5.5
228 rain days/year. Robusta dominant.
Togo
Togo · Plateaux / Kpalimé
500-986m
6.9°N · Aw
Robusta
Temperature
25-25°C
High 33° · Low 21°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1619-2000mm
Wet: Apr-Oct
Dry: Nov-Mar
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Ferralitic with volcanic influence · pH 5-6
Mt. Agou (986m) highest point.
Central African Rep.
CAR · Lobaye
400-600m
3.8°N · Aw
Robusta
Temperature
28-29°C
High 34° · Low 19°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
1400-1700mm
Wet: Mar-Nov
Dry: Dec-Feb
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Ferralitic/oxisol · pH 4.5-5.5
Robusta only at this elevation. Conflict-affected.
Congo-Brazzaville
Rep. Congo · Niari
300-500m
4°S · Aw
Robusta
Temperature
26-26°C
High 32° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-1500mm
Wet: Oct-May
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Ferralitic/sandy clay · pH 4.5-5.5
Robusta. Collapsed from civil war.
Angola
Angola · Uíge
800-1300m
7.6°S · Aw/Cwa
Robusta/Arabica
Temperature
22-25°C
High 30° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: Sep-May (peak Nov 338mm)
Dry: Jun-Aug
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Oxisols and Luvisols · pH 4.5-5.5
Was world #4 in 1970s. Rebuilding. Some Arabica above 1000m.
Equatorial Guinea
Eq. Guinea · Bioko Island
600-1500m
3.5°N · Af
Robusta/Arabica
Temperature
21-25°C
High 32° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1900-10000mm
Wet: Mar-Oct
Dry: Nov-Mar
Light & Air
85-95% RH
Sun: 4-5 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Pico Basile), extremely fertile · pH 5-6.5
Extreme rainfall gradient. Moka Plateau at 1300m.
Gabon
Gabon · Woleu-Ntem
500-700m
2°N · Aw/Am
Robusta
Temperature
25.6-25.6°C
High 31° · Low 20°
Diurnal: 8-11°
Rainfall
1600-2000mm
Wet: Sep-May
Dry: Jun-Aug
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 4-5 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Ferralitic, some volcanic pockets · pH 4.5-5.5
Robusta. Near-extinct. Oil economy.
Zambia
Zambia · Northern Province
1300-1800m
10.2°S · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
19-22°C
High 28° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 14-18°
Rainfall
1000-1400mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
60-75% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Weathered oxisols, acidic, Al-toxic · pH 4-5
Extreme diurnal range (14-18°C). Requires liming. Very small output.
Madagascar
Madagascar · Vakinankaratra
1200-1600m
20°S · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
16-20°C
High 28° · Low 2°
Diurnal: 12-18°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
65-75% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic highlands · pH 4.5-6
Arabica in highlands. Robusta (Kouilou) in SAVA lowlands at 0-600m, 24-27°C, 2000-3000mm.
São Tomé
São Tomé · Monte Café
600-1000m
0.3°N · Af/Am
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
22-22°C
High 30° · Low 17°
Diurnal: 6-10°
Rainfall
1287-3000mm
Wet: Sep-May
Dry: Jun-Aug (Gravana)
Light & Air
85-95% RH
Sun: 4-5 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic, extremely fertile · pH 5.5-6.5
242 rain days/year. Windward slopes >3000mm.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde · Fogo
800-1500m
14.9°N · BSh/Csc
Arabica
Temperature
15-20°C
High 25° · Low 0°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
524-524mm
Wet: Aug-Oct
Dry: Nov-Jul
Light & Air
60-70% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (active Pico do Fogo) · pH 5.5-7
Driest African coffee origin. Cloud moisture supplements rainfall. Coffee in Chã das Caldeiras.
Comoros
Comoros · Grande Comore
800-1500m
11.7°S · Af/Cfb
Robusta
Temperature
18-22°C
High 28° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1500-5000mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Karthala, active) · pH 5.5-6.5
Extreme rainfall gradient up Mt. Karthala.
Réunion
Réunion · Cilaos
800-1200m
21°S · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
12-22°C
High 25° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1765-1765mm
Wet: Dec-Mar (300+mm/mo)
Dry: May-Nov (<100mm/mo)
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic andosol (Piton des Neiges caldera) · pH 5-6.5
BIRTHPLACE of Bourbon varietal. Southernmost African origin. Artisanal only.
Huehuetenango
Guatemala · Western Highlands
1500-2000m
15.3°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
16-22°C
High 28° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 12-18°
Rainfall
1000-1500mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-75% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic (limestone/clay over volcanic base) · pH 5.5-6.5
Hot dry winds from Tehuantepec protect from frost. Bourbon, Caturra, Pache.
Antigua
Guatemala · Volcanic Valley
1500-1700m
14.6°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-22°C
High 26° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
900-1200mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-70% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Agua, Fuego, Acatenango ash) · pH 5.5-6.5
Three volcanoes surround the valley. Pumice-rich soil. Smoky character.
Tarrazú
Costa Rica · Los Santos
1200-1900m
9.6°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
17-23°C
High 27° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Apr
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Andisols), highly porous · pH 5-6
Processing innovation leader. Honey process pioneer. Caturra, Catuai.
West Valley
Costa Rica · Naranjo
1200-1700m
10.1°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
18-24°C
High 28° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1800-2500mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Apr
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic Andisols · pH 5-6
Black honey process. Villa Sarchi varietal from here.
Marcala
Honduras · La Paz
1200-1700m
14.2°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-24°C
High 28° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic clay loam · pH 5-6.5
Central America #1 producer. Lempira, IHCAFE-90, Parainema.
El Salvador
El Salvador · Apaneca-Ilamatepec
1200-1800m
13.9°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
17-23°C
High 27° · Low 11°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1500-2200mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (young andesitic ash) · pH 5.5-6.5
70% Bourbon. Home of Pacamara hybrid. Shade-grown under legacy trees.
Jinotega
Nicaragua · Jinotega
1000-1500m
13.1°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
19-24°C
High 28° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1400-2000mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Apr
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic, clay-rich · pH 5-6
Caturra, Catuai, Maracaturra. Cloud forest.
Geisha
Panama · Boquete
1400-1900m
8.8°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
16-22°C
High 25° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 8-13°
Rainfall
2500-4000mm
Wet: May-Dec
Dry: Jan-Apr
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Volcán Barú), deep, fertile · pH 5-6
Highest auction prices globally. Cloud forest. Very wet.
Chiapas
Mexico · Chiapas / Soconusco
900-1700m
15.5°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
18-24°C
High 30° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1500-3000mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Sierra Madre) · pH 5-6.5
Organic leader. Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Mundo Novo.
Blue Mountain
Jamaica · Blue Mountains
900-1700m
18.1°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
15-24°C
High 24° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-11°
Rainfall
2500-5000mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Mar
Light & Air
85-90% RH
Sun: 3-4 h/day
UV: 7-10
Soil & pH
Halls Delight channery clay loam (weathered volcanic) · pH 4.5-5.5
GI protected. Persistent mist/cloud. Windward slopes to 7600mm. Typica selection.
Haiti
Haiti · Thiotte / Baptiste
700-1500m
18.5°N · Aw/Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
20-26°C
High 30° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: Apr-Oct
Dry: Nov-Mar
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Limestone/volcanic mix · pH 5.5-7
Typica dominant. Infrastructure challenges.
Dominican Republic
DR · Barahona / Cibao
600-1400m
18.5°N · Aw
Arabica
Temperature
21-26°C
High 30° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-2000mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Apr
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic/limestone · pH 5.5-6.5
Typica, Caturra, Catuai.
Cuba
Cuba · Sierra Maestra
600-1200m
20°N · Aw
Arabica
Temperature
22-26°C
High 31° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Red ferralitic, some volcanic · pH 5.5-6.5
Collapsed from 500k+ bags. Bourbon, Typica, Caturra.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico · Yauco
600-1200m
18°N · Aw/Am
Arabica
Temperature
22-26°C
High 30° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1200-2000mm
Wet: May-Nov
Dry: Dec-Apr
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic clay · pH 5-6
Post-Hurricane Maria recovery. Bourbon, Typica, Limaní.
Trinidad
Trinidad & Tobago
200-800m
10.5°N · Am
Robusta
Temperature
25-28°C
High 32° · Low 21°
Diurnal: 8-11°
Rainfall
1500-2500mm
Wet: Jun-Dec
Dry: Jan-May
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Clay/alluvial · pH 5-6
Near-extinct commercially. Cocoa dominates.
Huila
Colombia · Southern Highlands
1400-2200m
2°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
17-22°C
High 27° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Dry: Jun-Aug, Dec-Feb
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic Andisols, deep, fertile · pH 5-6
Caturra, Castillo, Colombia varietal. Bimodal harvest.
Nariño
Colombia · Ecuador Border
1600-2300m
1°N · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
15-20°C
High 24° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1000-1500mm
Wet: Oct-May
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 11-14
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Andean) · pH 5-6
Highest Colombian coffee. Near equator = intense UV. Pink Bourbon, Geisha.
Cerrado
Brazil · Minas Gerais
800-1300m
18°S · Aw
Arabica
Temperature
20-24°C
High 30° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 12-16°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: Oct-Mar
Dry: Apr-Sep
Light & Air
55-75% RH
Sun: 7-9 h/day
UV: 9-12
Soil & pH
Cerrado Latosol (deep, well-drained) · pH 4.5-5.5
World #1 producer. Mechanized harvest. Natural process. Mundo Novo, Catuai.
Mogiana
Brazil · São Paulo
900-1100m
22°S · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
19-23°C
High 28° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: Oct-Mar
Dry: Apr-Sep
Light & Air
60-75% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 9-11
Soil & pH
Red Latosol (terra roxa) · pH 5-6
Pulped natural process. Yellow Bourbon, Mundo Novo.
Peru
Peru · Cajamarca
1200-2000m
6°S · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
16-22°C
High 26° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 12-16°
Rainfall
800-1500mm
Wet: Oct-Apr
Dry: May-Sep
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Andean volcanic, variable · pH 5-6.5
World top organic exporter. Typica, Caturra, Bourbon.
Ecuador
Ecuador · Loja
1200-2000m
4°S · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
16-22°C
High 25° · Low 11°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1000-1800mm
Wet: Oct-May
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 11-14
Soil & pH
Andean volcanic · pH 5-6
Sydra/Sidra varietal originated here. Near-equatorial UV intensity.
Bolivia
Bolivia · Yungas
1200-2200m
16°S · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
15-22°C
High 26° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 12-18°
Rainfall
1200-2500mm
Wet: Nov-Mar
Dry: Apr-Oct
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-14
Soil & pH
Andean, steep, well-drained · pH 5-6
Typica, Caturra, Java, Geisha. Logistics challenges (remote valleys).
Venezuela
Venezuela · Mérida
1000-1800m
8°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
17-23°C
High 27° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: Apr-Nov
Dry: Dec-Mar
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Andean volcanic/alluvial · pH 5-6.5
Collapsed from 1.5M+ bags. Typica, Bourbon, Caturra.
Galápagos
Galápagos · San Cristóbal
200-400m
0.9°S · As
Arabica
Temperature
22-25°C
High 28° · Low 19°
Diurnal: 6-9°
Rainfall
500-1200mm
Wet: Jan-May
Dry: Jun-Dec
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 12-14
Soil & pH
Volcanic basalt, young · pH 6-7
Organic by isolation. Bourbon. Ultra-premium. Very high UV despite low elevation.
Yemen
Yemen · Haraz Mountains
1800-2200m
15.5°N · BWh/BSk
Arabica
Temperature
18-22°C
High 28° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
200-350mm
Wet: Jul-Sep
Dry: Oct-Jun
Light & Air
30-40% RH
Sun: 8-10 h/day
UV: 9-11
Soil & pH
Terraced granite/schist with thin organic layer · pH 6-7
Most arid coffee origin on Earth. Oldest commercial origin outside Ethiopia. Ancient landraces. Qat competes for land.
India
India · Karnataka / Chikmagalur
750-1500m
13.3°N · Am
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
20-25°C
High 32° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 10-15°
Rainfall
1500-3000mm
Wet: Jun-Sep (SW monsoon)
Dry: Dec-Mar
Light & Air
65-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Laterite/red clay (Western Ghats) · pH 5.5-6.5
Monsooned Malabar: warehouse exposure to monsoon winds. Kent, S795. Also Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh).
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka · Central Highlands
600-1500m
7.3°N · Af/Am
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
20-26°C
High 30° · Low 15°
Diurnal: 8-14°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: May-Sep (SW), Oct-Jan (NE)
Dry: Feb-Apr
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Red-yellow podzolic · pH 4.5-6
1869 coffee rust epidemic destroyed industry, created tea culture. Revival underway.
Nepal
Nepal · Gulmi / Palpa
800-1600m
28°N · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
15-22°C
High 28° · Low 5°
Diurnal: 12-20°
Rainfall
1200-2000mm
Wet: Jun-Sep (monsoon)
Dry: Oct-May
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 8-12
Soil & pH
Phyllite/schist-derived, well-drained · pH 5-6
Organic by default. Typica. Extreme diurnal range. Highest-latitude specialty origin.
Vietnam
Vietnam · Central Highlands / Dak Lak
500-800m
12.7°N · Aw
Robusta
Temperature
24-26°C
High 32° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1800-2500mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Red basaltic (bazan) · pH 4.5-5.5
World #2 producer. 95% Robusta. Son La province (north) growing Arabica at 1000-1500m.
Myanmar
Myanmar · Shan State
1000-1500m
21°N · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
18-24°C
High 28° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 12-18°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 9-12
Soil & pH
Red-yellow laterite · pH 5-6
Catimor, SL34, Bourbon. Political instability limits development.
Thailand
Thailand · Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
800-1400m
18.8°N · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
19-25°C
High 32° · Low 10°
Diurnal: 12-20°
Rainfall
1200-1600mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 9-12
Soil & pH
Red-yellow laterite/clay · pH 5-6
Strong domestic specialty scene. Chiang Mai 80 varietal. Cool season can drop to 5°C.
Laos
Laos · Bolaven Plateau
1000-1350m
15.1°N · Am
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
20-20°C
High 28° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
3500-3700mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 8-10
Soil & pH
Volcanic basalt (Bolaven is an ancient caldera) · pH 5-6
Wettest major coffee origin in Asia. Catimor, Typica, Java. Some Liberica/Excelsa.
Philippines
Philippines · Cordillera / Benguet
1000-1700m
16.4°N · Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
17-22°C
High 25° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 8-13°
Rainfall
2000-4000mm
Wet: Jun-Nov (typhoon season)
Dry: Dec-May
Light & Air
75-90% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic/metamorphic · pH 5-6
One of 4 countries growing all 4 species. Barako (Liberica) in lowlands. Typhoon risk.
Taiwan
Taiwan · Alishan
800-1400m
23.5°N · Cfa/Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
14-20°C
High 24° · Low 6°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: May-Sep (plum rain + typhoon)
Dry: Oct-Apr
Light & Air
75-90% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 8-11
Soil & pH
Sandstone/shale-derived mountain soil · pH 4.5-5.5
Ultra-premium domestic. Geisha, SL34, Bourbon. Fog-shrouded. Highest-priced domestic market.
Sumatra
Sumatra · Aceh / Gayo + Lintong
1000-1600m
3°N · Af
Arabica
Temperature
20-25°C
High 28° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
2000-3500mm
Wet: Sep-Jan (Gayo), varies by coast
Dry: Feb-Apr (brief)
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic Andisols (Toba caldera) · pH 4.5-5.5
Wet-hulled (Giling Basah) creates distinctive earthy profile. Typica lineage.
Java
Java · Ijen Plateau
900-1600m
8°S · Af/Am
Arabica
Temperature
18-24°C
High 28° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 8-14°
Rainfall
1500-2500mm
Wet: Oct-Apr
Dry: May-Sep
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Ijen crater), very fertile · pH 5-6
Coffee since 1696. Dutch colonial estates. S795, Typica lineage.
Sulawesi
Sulawesi · Tana Toraja
1200-1800m
3°S · Af
Arabica
Temperature
13-28°C
High 28° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 12-15°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 4-6 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic/metamorphic · pH 5-6
S795, Typica, Jember. Wet-hulled dominant.
Flores
Flores · Bajawa
1200-1800m
8.8°S · Am
Arabica
Temperature
19-27°C
High 29° · Low 16°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
3000-3700mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic andosol (Ebulobo/Inerie) · pH 5-6
Very wet. Manggarai highlands. Increasingly washed processing.
Bali
Bali · Kintamani
1200-1700m
8.3°S · Af
Arabica
Temperature
15-25°C
High 27° · Low 13°
Diurnal: 10-12°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: Nov-Mar
Dry: Jun-Sep
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Mt. Agung/Batur) · pH 5.5-6.5
Subak (traditional water management). Citrus cup character.
Papua
Indonesian Papua · Wamena
1400-1700m
4°S · Af/Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
16-22°C
High 25° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-13°
Rainfall
2000-3000mm
Wet: Year-round (no true dry)
Dry: Slightly drier Jun-Aug
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 4-5 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Alluvial/volcanic mix · pH 5-6
Baliem Valley. Very remote. Near-constant cloud cover. Typica.
East Timor
Timor-Leste · Ermera
800-1700m
8.8°S · Am/Cwb
Arabica
Temperature
19-25°C
High 30° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1500-2500mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Limestone/volcanic mix · pH 5.5-7
Home of Hibrido de Timor (HdT). Parent of all Catimor/Sarchimor/Castillo.
Yunnan
China · Pu'er / Simao
1000-1700m
23°N · Cwa
Arabica
Temperature
17-22°C
High 28° · Low 8°
Diurnal: 12-18°
Rainfall
1200-1800mm
Wet: May-Oct
Dry: Nov-Apr
Light & Air
60-80% RH
Sun: 6-8 h/day
UV: 9-12
Soil & pH
Red laterite/volcanic · pH 4.5-6
98% Catimor. Specialty Bourbon/Typica emerging. Domestic coffee boom.
Kona
Hawaii · Big Island
150-900m
19.6°N · Af/Am
Arabica
Temperature
21-26°C
High 29° · Low 17°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1000-2500mm
Wet: Apr-Oct
Dry: Nov-Mar
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Mauna Loa basalt), young, porous · pH 5.5-6.5
Afternoon cloud cover (natural shade). Highest production cost on Earth. Typica lineage.
Papua New Guinea
PNG · Eastern Highlands / Goroka
1300-1900m
6°S · Cfb
Arabica
Temperature
17-23°C
High 26° · Low 12°
Diurnal: 10-14°
Rainfall
1800-2500mm
Wet: Oct-Apr
Dry: May-Sep
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 10-13
Soil & pH
Volcanic ash over limestone · pH 5-6
Typica Arusha lineage. Smallholder-dominated. Wide quality variance.
Australia
Australia · Atherton Tablelands, QLD
600-1100m
17.3°S · Af
Arabica
Temperature
20-25°C
High 30° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 10-16°
Rainfall
1200-2000mm
Wet: Dec-Apr
Dry: May-Nov
Light & Air
65-80% RH
Sun: 7-8 h/day
UV: 11-14
Soil & pH
Red volcanic basalt (Atherton) · pH 5-6
Fully mechanized harvest. Bourbon, Catuai, K7. Very high labor cost.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia · Voh
200-600m
20.9°S · Af/Am
Arabica
Temperature
22-26°C
High 29° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 8-11°
Rainfall
1000-1500mm
Wet: Dec-Apr
Dry: May-Nov
Light & Air
70-80% RH
Sun: 6-7 h/day
UV: 11-13
Soil & pH
Ultramafic/nickel-bearing laterite · pH 5-6.5
Endemic Leroy varietal. Heritage. Near-extinct commercially.
Fiji
Fiji · Taveuni Island
200-800m
16.9°S · Af
Arabica
Temperature
23-27°C
High 30° · Low 20°
Diurnal: 6-10°
Rainfall
2500-4000mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
80-90% RH
Sun: 5-6 h/day
UV: 12-14
Soil & pH
Volcanic basalt · pH 5.5-6.5
Taveuni = "Garden Island." Very wet. Artisanal/tourist.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu · Tanna Island
200-700m
19.5°S · Af/Am
Arabica/Robusta
Temperature
22-26°C
High 30° · Low 18°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
1500-2500mm
Wet: Nov-Apr
Dry: May-Oct
Light & Air
75-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 12-14
Soil & pH
Volcanic (Mt. Yasur, active) · pH 5.5-6.5
Active volcano. Emerging artisanal.
Canary Islands
Spain · Agaete Valley, Gran Canaria
300-600m
28.1°N · BWh/BSh
Arabica
Temperature
19-23°C
High 26° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 8-12°
Rainfall
300-500mm
Wet: Oct-Mar
Dry: Apr-Sep
Light & Air
60-75% RH
Sun: 7-9 h/day
UV: 8-11
Soil & pH
Volcanic basalt (young) · pH 6-7.5
Only European coffee. Typica from Cuba (19th century). Irrigated.
St. Helena
St. Helena · South Atlantic
300-700m
15.9°S · Csb
Arabica
Temperature
17-22°C
High 24° · Low 14°
Diurnal: 6-10°
Rainfall
500-1000mm
Wet: Mar-May
Dry: Aug-Nov
Light & Air
70-85% RH
Sun: 5-7 h/day
UV: 10-12
Soil & pH
Volcanic (ancient shield volcano) · pH 5.5-7
Green Tipped Bourbon. ~200 bags/year. One of rarest coffees on Earth. Napoleon drank it.
The environment is the flavor.
83 environmental fingerprints. Temperature, rainfall, soil, light. The complete recipe behind every origin on Earth.