Certainly the tropical area is the most concerned referring to coffee cultivation, but is it necessary to examine the production of each single country:
Angola
The country is helped by the two-seasons tropical climate and until some years ago it was one of the five major world producers of Robusta. Currently the production has considerably reduced. Angola also produces Arabica, small quantity but good and suitable to the mixtures.
Benin
This African republic has, in its south part, an advantageous double rain season, suitable to agriculture. Among their cultivations they also have the Robusta coffee cultivation, Unfortunately the country is still tied to an old- style agriculture and therefore dependent to foreign countries.
Bolivia
Washed Arabica
The natural coffee, with the exception of periods of coffee scarceness, is only consumed locally. The natural appears very irregular, as in the past, and with many fermentations. While the washed coffee is prepared very carefully and looks good.
Brazil
Arabica not washed "Santos"
It is the main producer of not washed Arabica. Currently it is also producing the Cohillon quality (Brazilian Robusta). Arabica, cultivated in the highlands, satisfies most of the world demand. The most requested quality is Bourbon Santos that grows in a rough and mountainous area. Additional requested qualities are Parana' and Rio. This last one is mostly requested in the Balkan Region.
Cultivations altitude: meters 200-1.000 above sea level
Crop period: June - August
Burundi
The plantations of Arabica and Robusta, introduced in the past from the Belgians, are an important resource for this very poor country. Arabica, anyway, is very good, full-bodied and acidulous. It is mostly exported in the United States.
Camerun
Washed ArabicaRobusta
The area of the capital Yaounde' offers the suitable characteristics of climate balance for the cultivation of natural Robusta coffee and for the washed Arabica coffee. Arabica has an excellent aroma, almost spicy.
Cultivations altitude:
Arabica: meters 1000 - 1800;
Robusta: meters 800 - 1000 above sea level
Crop period: September - February
China
Even if the Chinese quality is very poor, it is requested and appreciated by Americans. The plantations are located in the mountainous area of Yunnan, furrowed by the valleys of the Red River and Mekong. The Yunnan is a variety that assures a rich drink, full-bodied and a little acid.
Colombia
Medellin
In the world Colombia is second after Brazil, as far as cultivated coffee volume is concerned. It is first for quality, producing a washed Arabica which is the result of continuous cares. All the equipments introduced into the country are submitted to an antibacterial treatment to avoid any damage to the cultivations. So many varieties of coffee are growing in the plantations that the government decided to gather all of them under the name M.A.M. that comes from the cultivation centres of Medellin, Armenia, Manizales. Medellin quality is the best for body and acidity. Armenia is little lighter but excellent for its aroma. Very important is the Vintage Colombian that is stored for 8 years before the roasting.
Cultivations altitude: meters 800 - 1900 above sea level
Crop period: three-quarters of the crop takes place between April and June. The remaining quarter takes place between October and January.
Congo
Robusta
Only cultivated quality: washed natural Robusta in varieties Canephora and Kwilu. Coffee and wood are an important economic resource for Congo. It is anyway an export product.
Ivory Coast
Robusta
Among the main coffee producers, the Ivory Coast reaches quantities that are able to satisfy most of the world demand with the natural and washed Robusta. Part of this quality is used for the production of soluble coffee. Besides Robusta, Arabusta, a cross between Arabica and Robusta created a few years ago, is also a growing market in France.
Cultivations altitude: meters 300 - 400 above sea level.
Crop period: October - March
Costa Rica
Arabica
Among the main coffee producers, Costa Rica received around the end of 1700 the plants from Cuba. They cultivate only Arabica according to a law that prohibits the cultivation of Robusta. The most known coffees are San Marcos of Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Heredia, Alajuela. These coffees are cultivated with wet process, have a full and sweet body and a strong acidity.
Cuba
Cuba produces a low quantity of natural and washed Arabica.
Ecuador
Arabica
Arabica and Robusta are present in the country. Also in this country, where coffee grows on the mountains at 2400 meters, the production reduced substantially. To better process coffee, they also cultivate bananas and cacao.
Cultivations altitude: meter 2400 above sea level.
El Salvador
They produce natural washed Arabica and Maragogype. Three quarters of productions are addressed to the foreign markets. As in Ecuador, coffee is produced on the mountains obtaining a coffee with light taste, sweet and with moderate acidity. The plantations cultivated at lower altitudes give a less bodied coffee called Central Standard. They are anyway treated with the wet process.
Cultivations altitude: meters 450 - 650 above sea level.
Ethiopia
Arabica
Coffea Arabica comes from an area of this country: Caffa. Climate and territory make the plants grow spontaneously, needing the hand of the man only for the drying. Harrar comes from East Europe, with its dark red juice, with its full-body and sweet taste and with its high acidity in the different qualities of Longberry Harrar (big berries), Shortberry Harrar (small berries), Mocha Harrar (peaberry or small berries) and Ghimbi that compared to the Harrar is richer, has a firmer body and a good aftertaste.
Cultivations altitude: meters 1300 - 2100 above sea level.
Philippines
Also the coffee production of the Philippines gives a contribution to the world requirements. Thanks to their favourable geographic position the Philippines can satisfy a part of the American and Japanese market.
Gabon
Being located in the centre of the equatorial area and having elevated temperatures, Gabon produces small quantities of Robusta coffee.
Ghana
Robusta
The few cultivated quantity is the Robusta quality. The main product of the country is cacao.
Jamaica
Blue Mountain
It is the most esteemed coffee of the Caribbean. Cultivated in mountainous areas, it excels in the qualities of Blue Mountain, High Mountain, Jamaica Mountain Choice and Prima Washed.
Java
Cultivated qualities: Robusta and Liberica, excellent for mixtures. The coffee imported by the Dutch in the middle of 1600 suffered, before the second world war, infestations and diseases.
Guatemala
Washed Antigua
Also Guatemala is one of the countries that satisfy the world demand with the qualities washed Arabica and Robusta. To Arabica belong: Bourbon, Tipica, Maragogype, Coban, Antigua, Amatitlan. They are particular, produced with wet process, with high acidity, a spicy smell and a chocolate aroma and they are addressed to the foreign markets.
Cultivations altitude: meters 700 - 1700 above sea level.
Guinea
Guinea is starting the development of the techniques and the extension of cultivations. Coffee is not one of the main resources of the country.
Haiti
Natural Arabica
Haiti produces natural and washed Arabica. Among the varieties obtained from Arabica, Port Au Prince is very important for its almost hot aroma.
Hawaii
Kona Extra Fancy
Kona coffee comes from Hawaii, even if it is cultivated in holes dug in the volcanic rocks, perfect environment for the Arabica species. It distinguishes itself for its body-full and sweet taste.
Honduras
washed Arabica
Produced with wet process, it is used to correct other qualities. Natural Arabica and Maragogype come from Honduras. The coffee is light and a little acidulous.
Cultivations altitude: meters 700 - 2000 above sea level
Crop period: October - March.
India
Cherry Arabica
Malabar Mysore
Also India is one of the countries satisfying the world demand. The coffee with delicate and pleasant taste is cultivated in different qualities: Robusta Monsonato, Arabica Cherry, Arabica Monsonato. Two are the most important qualities: Mysore and Malabar with their full and delicate taste.
Cultivations altitude:
Arabica: meters 900 - 1800 above sea level
Robusta: meters 300 - 900 above sea level
Crop period:
Arabica: October - February
Robusta: November - March
Indonesia
Mandheling
Plantations of Arabica and Robusta. The best quality is Mandheling.
Kenia
Washed Arabica
The plantations are of natural and washed Arabica, light, of excellent quality and taste. Many are the varieties Chragga and Kenya AA that are considered rarer than the Jamaican Blue Mountain. The top is reached by the very expensive Estate Kenya which is considered one of the best coffees in the world.
Cultivations altitude: meters 1500 - 2100 above sea level.
Java
In a short time, the Dutch exporters brought the Arabica plant to Java which was the leader of coffee production in the world until 1870, when the parasites destroyed the entire industry. The lands were cultivated again, using plants resistant to diseases but of a lower quality. The Java lands are wetted to have a more acid product, a brighter look and a faster crop. Some coffees are stored in a warehouse for two or three years and then sold as Old Java. This process causes a loss of acidity to the coffee and gives it a firmer body and a sweeter taste.
Madagascar
Robusta
The coffee is one of the exported products and the cultivated varieties are: Robusta, Arabica and Excelse.
Martinica
Historically important site for the presence of Coffea it is the most important American plantation. Unfortunately, Cuba and Puerto Rico suffocated the market, preventing Martinica from exporting.
Mexico
Altura Coatepec
The Mexican coffee has fragrant but light taste and it is produced with the wet process. The most appreciated variety is Altura Coatepec, with light body, sweet and chocolate taste and with acid aftertaste. Also Coffee Pluma is considered excellent.
Nicaragua
Maragogype
Important is that in Nicaragua the biggest Maragogype beans of the world grow. The cultivated coffees are appreciated for their smell.
Cultivations altitude: meters 500 - 2000 above sea level.
Papua New Guinea
Natural and washed Arabica. With this production it is a competitor of the near islands Java and Timor.
Peru'
Washed Arabica
Good producer of natural and washed Arabica. The best quality comes from the Andes chain. Peru just started exporting and it is continuously growing.
Cultivations altitude: meters 700 - 2000 above sea level.
Crop period:
April - September for the washed
June - October for the naturals
Centre African Republic
The plantations are of natural Arabica. It is mainly exported to France that economically supports the country for the big problems caused by dryness.
Cultivations altitude: meters 400 - 600 above sea level.
Dominican Republic
Barahona
The most diffused quality is Santo Domingo with full and strong taste. The Barahona has a darker roast and is a little more acid. Other varieties are: Cibao, Bani, Ocoa. All these varieties are produced with wet method.
Cultivations altitude: metres 600 - 1500 above sea level
Crop period: September - February.
Democratic Republic Of Congo
Cultivated species: Arabica and Robusta. The potentialities are good both for Arabica (tendentiously acid) and for Robusta but everything is compromised by the poor selection and consciousness in the production.
Cultivations altitude: meters 200 - 1000 above sea level
Crop period:
Arabica: November - January in the north; May - September in the south
Robusta: December - January in the north; May - July in the south .
Panama, Ruanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan
Unfortunately for the above mentioned countries, due to natural events and politic problems, the present cultivations are only sufficient for their home market.
Sumatra
Two of the best and know coffees in the world come from Sumatra: Mandheling and Ankola. Both of them are dry processed. The importance of the coffees coming from Sumatra is that the crop is completely manual. The taste is so strong and persistent that it is better to mix it with milk.
Tanzania
Most of Tanzanian coffees grow on the slopes of Kilimanjaro and are called Kilimanjaro, Moshi and Arusha. Other coffees growing in the south are called Mbeya. The natural and washed Arabica have a winy and sweet taste. Also the Robusta species is cultivated. From the rarely round beans they obtain a black and pure coffee that must not be mixed or corrected.
Cultivations altitude:
Robusta: meters 900 - 1500;
Arabica: meters 950 - 1500 above sea level.
Timor
As told for Papua, Timor is a competitor country. In spite of the poor Arabica production, they produce an excellent coffee with a full-bodied quality.
Uganda
Robusta
In Uganda one inhabitant out of four cultivates coffee. Robusta is important, called Bagishu with full aroma and spicy taste.
Cultivations altitude:
Robusta: meters 1200 - 1500 above sea level;
Arabica: meters 1300 - 2300 above sea level.
Crop period: October - March.
Venezuela
Coffee is present in Venezuela since 1784, due to the climate and the characteristics of the territory. The local coffees called Maracaibo are the following varieties: Meridas, Caracas, Caracas blue, Tachiras, Cucuta. From each of these quality a sweet and delicate coffee with light taste is obtained and this coffee is one of the most appreciated in the world.
Vietnam
Arabica
Around the middle of 1860 the French missionaries introduced coffee to Vietnam. The production was not important until 1980. From 1990 the production increased so fast to become the first Robusta coffee exporter of the world.
Yemen
The coffee that today we usually call Mocha grew in Yemen. The name comes from the port from which the product was shipped at the beginning. Typical is its chocolate taste of Arabian Mocha which is one of the oldest, more traditional and good coffee of the world. The two names of this coffees that are known in the market are Mattari and Sanani. Mattari has a full body and a chocolate taste, Sanani presents a marked and tasteful acidity.