Introduction
Whether it is a morning cup or midday pick-me-up, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Despite its international popularity, coffee cannot be grown or produced in every location. Indeed, one needs rich soils, a cool to warm tropical climate, and few diseases and pests in order to grow coffee in the greatest conditions. Therefore, it is grown in what is colloquially called the coffee belt – the area spanning as far North as Mexico and India, and as far South as Brazil and Madagascar.
The seeds are planted during the rainy season or raised in a dedicated nursery for up to a year before planting in soil. What sprouts is a coffee cherry, which is handpicked and sorted to find seeds that are perfectly ripe. Its fruit and pulp are then removed, leaving just the seed (or bean) which is dried. The coffee beans are then packaged and shipped across the world for enjoyment.
Because coffee is widely popular and an important commodity, its production – happening mostly in developing countries – can play an important role in a country’s economy. More specifically, it can promote economic growth. Despite this advantage, the production of coffee beans may also raise fair trade and environmental concerns.
Learn more about coffee-producing countries by exploring the map and charts.
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