 Coffee is grown in over fifty countries of the world, but there are only two main types, arabica and robusta. The mild arabica includes growths from Central America, Mexico, Colombia, Kenya and Tanzania. Robusta grows mainly in Africa and Asia. African producers include Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon whilst in Asia the major producers are Vietnam followed by Indonesia. Many countries, notably Brazil, the world's largest producer, grow significant quantities of both arabica and robusta. The higher the altitude at which it is grown the finer the coffee.
The arabica is used for quality coffee, while the robusta, which produces a thick, stronger liquor, is suitable for blending and for the production of instant coffee.
It takes a year for arabica coffee seeds to become seedlings; they are then planted eight to twelve feet apart. The tree, which needs regular pruning, yields its crop in three or four years, but does not reach maturity until the sixth year. |
