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Coffee is a monoculture c. Monocultural


Without exception, all artificial agrocenoses are unstable over time. Maintaining their sustainability on the basis of monocultures costs a person more and more. The outstanding botanist of our time A. L. Takhtadzhyan came to the conclusion that the victory of flowering plants in the struggle for existence was ensured by their ability to form complex multi-tiered communities. If this is so, then by supporting monocultures, we are going against the evolutionary traditions of wildlife. The transition to polyculture and gentle tillage, while using all the organic residues on the field, on the contrary, would correspond to the trend in the development of natural biospheric processes.

The agro-ecosystems of the future should be multi-component (polycultures), providing, in addition to high productivity, the maximum density of the green cover of the planet.

It is sometimes said that agricultural monocultures are more productive because they are able to produce twice as much biomass per unit area as natural ecosystems. However, this does not take into account that biomass production in natural ecosystems is not associated with human energy consumption, while the energy efficiency of agrocenoses can be close to zero or even negative.

The widespread use of monocultures in modern agriculture is closely related to the almost universal use of chemicals plant protection (as well as with increased doses of mineral fertilizers).

By creating fields of monocultures, a person himself creates "pests" and all subsequent problems of dealing with them.

There are many experiments showing the benefits of growing several crops together (called intercropping). For all cultivated crops, the use of mixed crops is known. For example, spring wheat goes well with oats, barley, spring rye, mustard, peas, chin, lentils, beans, vetch, seradella, flax, carrots and other species. In many cases, in such crops, the total yield of products increases, the value of fodder increases, the structure of the soil improves, the number of "weeds" decreases, and the damage by diseases and "pests" decreases. In agrophytocenology, a number of effective ways the use of different types of crops for a variety of zones. Here are some examples.

In the middle zone of the European part of Russia, the polyculture of corn, oats and sunflower yielded 415 centners per hectare of fodder mass, while the yield of pure corn sowing was 327 centners per hectare. When sowing corn with broad beans, an increase in forage yield by 40-80 centners/ha was obtained with an additional collection of protein of 1.4 centners/ha. In Belarus, undersowing lupine with corn made it possible to additionally obtain up to 150 centners per hectare of fodder mass.

The joint cultivation of corn and soybean increased the yield of green mass by 126-136 c/ha, increased the yield of crude protein, and increased the nutritional value of feed. Joint crops of fescue, canary grass and rye gave a five-fold increase in yield compared to pure crops. In experiments on the joint cultivation of peanuts, sorghum, millet and corn, the average peanut yield was 18% less, but the total cost of production from a polycultural field increased to 154%, and the corn borer as a species ceased to be a "pest" here.

For a long time in different parts of the country a mixture of wheat and rye ("surge") has been known, which always, under any weather conditions, gives a guaranteed harvest, in which either wheat or rye predominates - depending on the specific conditions of a given growing season. In the foothills of the Caucasus in the "pre-monoculture" time, a mixture of corn and beans was popular, the total yield from sowing of which was 1.5 times higher than that of monocultures. It turned out that when wintering peas were sown together with wheat, the total grain yield was higher by 3-5 c/ha, and at the same time, the protein content in wheat grain increased sharply.

In the conditions of the Moscow region, three-species agrocenoses (pea-mustard-sunflower, vetch-mustard-sunflower) not only gave higher and more stable forage yields, but the degree of their infestation decreased by 3-4 times, which made the use of herbicides unnecessary.

Examples of other polycultures successfully implemented in various experiments include: corn-barley; lupine corn; mustard corn; corn-sunflower-beans; vetch-oats-ryegrass; cotton-sorghum; flax clover; corn-soybean-banana-cassava-coconut palm-hevea. Among the popular polycultures in Central America today are: maize gourds (pepo and bottle); maize beans; cassava beans; cassava sweet potato. In Rwanda (Africa), polycultures are used: beans-maize-sweet potatoes; soy-sorghum-sweet potatoes. Various polyculture options are possible.

Sometimes the vegetative activity of agroecosystems is extended by sowing additional grasses between large plants (corn, soybeans, etc.). Increasingly, mixtures of different varieties of the same species - with a different structure and differences in the rhythm of development, but ripening at the same time (the so-called "blends", or variety mixtures).

A few centuries ago, variety mixtures were used in China in the cultivation of two-season rice: seedlings of a late variety were planted in crops of an early one, and the total yield increased to 48%. In Peru, for a long time, for many centuries, for reliability, several crops are sown on the fields at the same time (in small squares), which ensures a harvest under any weather conditions. Mixed planting of rice varieties is widespread in Japan. Wheat mixtures were successfully used in the 19th century in France and Russia.

There are numerous data on the successful use of variety mixtures of corn, cotton, spring wheat, buckwheat and other crops.

Of course, not all mixtures and not always give a noticeable increase in yield: intensive research is required on methods of mass enhancement of differences between plants in crops in terms of development, organ formation and growth, age and life expectancy, reproduction and distribution on the area, i.e. taking into account the various relationships of components throughout the growing season. In long-term experiments by P. V. Yurin (Moscow State University), the yield of single-varietal corn plantations was 343 centners per hectare, and in mixed crops with unequal plant heights and different flowering periods, 472 centners per hectare. On an area of ​​4 thousand hectares, P.V. Yurin received a wheat crop of mixed varieties of 43.3 centners per hectare, and with monoculture - only 33.7 centners per hectare.

Sometimes the use of other crops is beneficial not only for obtaining an additional crop, but also as "trap species" that take the brunt of the "pests" damage. So, when sweet potatoes and corn are planted together, ants infect only potatoes, and corn remains untouched. When growing only corn, it is almost completely affected by ants.

On the other hand, with the help of some specially selected wild repellant plants, it is possible to scare away species that are undesirable in the agrosystem. About 600 plant species are known that have such a deterrent effect (for example, marigolds, pyrethrum chamomile, garlic, tobacco, etc.). We emphasize once again: all variety mixtures are more resistant to "weeds", diseases and "pests" than pure crops of the same crops.

The rejection of monocultures and the transition to polycultures makes it possible to ensure the invulnerability of fields under the influence of insects, mites, fungal and viral diseases on a scale dangerous for the crop.

In such complex ecosystems, the interrelation of species is such that a permanently high abundance of any one species is impossible. In addition, soil fatigue is practically absent in polycultures.

An in-depth study of interspecific relationships in such human-created phytocenoses should reveal large reserves for increasing crop yields without the use of chemical plant protection products.


natural pesticides

An important direction of modern agriculture is the replacement of chemical pesticides with natural ones. In some regions of the world, natural, non-toxic pesticides have been used for a long time.

On the basis of silicon powder, many means of combating domestic insects are now registered. In addition to "diatomaceous earth", inorganic pesticides such as silicone aerogels ("dryuan", "drydai") and boric acid are increasingly being used. The number of such examples is increasing every year. Spraying with a composition derived from shells of crustaceans (crayfish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp) and cuticles of insects has been found to keep fruits fresh for up to 9 months. Thousands of tons of such shells are thrown into the sea, polluting it. At the first stages of the development of the drug, chitosan was obtained - based on the dissolution of chitin in acid, then they found carboxymethylchitosan, soluble in water.

The fact of insecticidal activity of a number of widespread and relatively safe substances has been proven. It has been shown that these substances, introduced into the soil in a crushed form, enhance the activity of microorganisms, which in turn infect insect species that reproduce in mass numbers, as well as nematodes. This open wide opportunities development of "natural pesticides" based on natural products such as crab and other crustacean shells and mollusc shells.

The use of pesticide preparations based on natural, most often plant, ingredients can be considered a peculiar direction of biosecurity. It is known, for example, that dried or crushed potato leaves, placed with tubers in storage, reduce the loss of potatoes during storage by up to 40%.

There are many insecticidal preparations based on herbal ingredients. The Colorado potato beetle and many viruses, including tobacco mosaic virus, are effectively controlled by spraying plants with an infusion of green pepper, sometimes mixed with garlic, tobacco, or Croton tigleum roots.

Derris infusions, combined with various other plants, have been successfully used to protect rice fields in Latin America and Indonesia. One of the most widespread natural pesticides in Southeast Asia, Africa (Sahara), Fiji, Mauritius and some countries of Central America is the fruit of the neem tree, used in the form of powder or solutions against aphids, caterpillars, butterflies, mites, herbivores insects, including against all grasshoppers and locusts, beetles and other mass "pests". Pyrethrum chamomile is widely used in the form of a powder that acts as a contact poison in Central America and Brazil, the young branches of the quassia tree are also used, and in India its close relative, Picraama excelsa. The insecticidal action of tobacco is widely known. In the Philippines, horseradish leaves are buried in the soil to control soil pests. Powder from papaya leaves protects coffee from rust and fungal diseases. Many herbal preparations are used to preserve grains and beans.

By the mid 1970s. in the world, a total of about 2000 plant species with pronounced insecticidal activity were known. For our flora, many dozens of plants with insecticidal activity are known - infusions, powders from onions, garlic, larkspur, sophora, blackberry, milkweed, horseradish, mustard, parsley, wild rosemary, henbane, dope, poppies and many others.

Recall that natural bacterial preparations have long been used in some regions of the world: the corpses of insects killed by diseases are collected, ground and sprayed across the field to infect living "pests". This technique is especially effective in protecting vegetable crops.



On packs of coffee you can often read: “made in France (Italy, Portugal, Russian Federation)". However, these marks only mean the geography of the location of the production facilities of companies that are engaged in packaging the aromatic drink. At the same time, coffee beans can be collected in completely different countries and even on other continents. Find out where coffee grows and which countries are leading in the export of fragrant beans from our article.

Coffee grows in 65 countries, and almost every one of them supplies beans to the international market.

Coffee trees are very demanding on conditions. environment They need a very special climate. This forms the unique distribution area of ​​the plant.

  • All countries in which coffee trees can be found are located along an imaginary strip of the earth's surface, stretched along the equator. Such a projection on the geographic map of the Earth is called the Coffee Belt.
  • The coffee belt of the Earth is limited to the tenth parallels of the southern and northern latitudes. These regions are also called the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern.
  • Such an interesting area is not unusual. It's all about the unique climatic conditions - the predominance of wet and warm weather without sharp fluctuations and frosts on the ground surface at night. The rapid drop in ambient temperature is extremely dangerous for fastidious coffee trees.
  • Ethiopia is considered to be the birthplace of coffee. From there, the plant began its journey around the world, but it could only take root in regions with a similar mild climate of the equatorial type.

Reference. The geography of coffee distribution is limited to Central Africa, South and Central America and the countries of Southeast Asia.

In which countries does coffee grow?

In each zone of the Coffee Belt, the leading countries in the cultivation and export of grains are distinguished.

South America

Brazil. Here, a third of the entire world coffee crop is harvested annually (about 40 million bags). In addition, many varieties grow here - both Arabica and Robusta. The taste characteristics of beans from Brazil make them suitable, above all, for the manufacture of various blends and blends for espresso. And Brazilian coffee has a fairly affordable price.

Colombia- the eternal competitor of Brazil. This Latin American state cannot boast of such a huge harvest as in Brazil - about 10-13 million bags are harvested here annually. But the consumer characteristics of grains are still much higher, since only Arabica is grown in the country. Today Colombia has 15% of the world's coffee market, offering truly high quality varieties.

Peru. In matters of growing coffee, this mountainous country is difficult to compete with Brazil and Colombia - the annual bean harvest here is very modest - 3-4 million bags. Most raw materials from Peru are used to make mixes and blends for espresso drink. But still it is worth noting that in the arsenal of Peruvian producers there are several mono-sorts with a unique bright taste, for example, Chanchamayo.

reference. One bag - 60 kg of coffee beans.

Central American region

Honduras. The country annually exports about 5 million bags of Arabica. Like most raw materials from this zone, coffee from Honduras is used to prepare various blends and blends. However, true gourmets will name you several mono-sorts from Honduras with an expressive and refined taste, among which is Madeo coffee.

Mexico. The average yield in the country is about 4 million bags per year. At the same time, most of the grains are exported to the United States of America. Coffee from Mexico does not have bright taste qualities, and almost all of it goes to mixes for coffee machines.

Guatemala. The contribution of this small state to world coffee exports is small. It collects 3.5 million bags of coffee a year - both Arabica and Robusta. But real coffee connoisseurs all over the world will definitely call Guatemalan Antigua.

Thus, almost half of the world's coffee bean harvest is harvested in Central and South America.

Asia

Asians are gradually starting to step on the heels of Latin American coffee producers, seriously intending to take a significant market share from them. This is not surprising, because many high-quality varieties grow in the region.

Vietnam. This small country impresses with its harvests - 20-30 million bags are harvested here annually. In Vietnam, you can find excellent varieties of Arabica and Robusta. Most of them are used for coffee blends and blends.

Indonesia. This island country supplies the market mainly with Robusta and only a small amount of Arabica. The yield here is considered average - about 10 million bags. But the coffee quality is excellent. Particularly popular are varieties native to Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Elite types include coffee Sumatra Mandeling (Mandheling) and Toraya Sulawesi, which are distinguished by an amazing balanced taste. Indonesia is also famous for one of the most expensive species coffee - variety Kopi Luwak (Luwak).

India. natural conditions countries allow the cultivation of both Arabica and Robusta. Coffee from India is similar in taste to Robusta from Indonesia, most often it is added in blends. But still, one cannot ignore the unique Indian technology of growing coffee, which was adopted by other exporting countries. The grains are exposed to aging on the ocean coast under the influence of the monsoons. One of these varieties is coffee with a delicious taste - Monsoon Malabar.

Africa

The origins of coffee are on the African continent. The yield in the region is inferior to the countries of Latin America, but the quality of grains remains consistently high.

Ethiopia. In the homeland of coffee, trees have been growing naturally for centuries. They are practically not cultivated on an industrial scale, but only harvested. The country annually produces 6-7 million bags of natural organic coffee, which is deservedly recognized as one of the best on the planet.

Uganda. The country supplies the world market with 4 million bags per year. Basically - robusta for various coffee blends. There is also Arabica in the country, which is highly valued among lovers of an invigorating drink. Today, coffee from Uganda competes with popular varieties originally from the island of Java.

cat-d'Yvoire. About a quarter of a century ago, this country was the main rival of Brazil and Colombia. However, political instability in the state has a negative impact on export volumes. Today's Shore Ivory supplies 2.5 million bags of coffee beans a year, including Robusta for Nescafe, the instant coffee brand of Nestle's largest corporation.

It is interesting to note that there are attempts to grow coffee in Australia as well as New Zealand. But the predominantly flat landscape and excessive dryness in these countries do not contribute to high yields.

Where is the bulk of coffee beans grown?

The leaders in coffee production are only 6 countries, despite the fact that coffee trees can be found in a much larger number of countries.

  1. Brazil: 30%;
  2. Vietnam: 17%;
  3. Colombia: 12%;
  4. Ethiopia: 6%;
  5. Indonesia: 5%;
  6. India: 4%.

Useful video

Where coffee grows, in which countries it is more

We are used to reading on coffee packages: produced in Italy, France, Portugal or Russia. These inscriptions do not mean the place where the grains were collected, but only the geography of the company that produces a particular product. A natural question arises - where is coffee grown? Which countries are the coffee granaries of the planet?

Coffee trees grow in 65 countries around the world. Almost all of them are presented on the foreign market.

Coffee is a capricious plant, and its distribution has its own characteristics.

  • If you put on the map all the countries in which coffee is grown, it is easy to see that they are located along the equator. This band is called Earth's coffee belt.
  • The width of the coffee crop distribution band is limited to 10 degrees south latitude and 10 degrees north latitude. For those familiar with geography, we add that the regions of cultivation lie in the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
  • Such geography is not something mystical or special. It's all about the climate. Coffee trees require a humid and warm atmosphere, and most importantly, the absence of strong temperature drops and night frosts. A sharp drop in temperature is detrimental to delicate plants.
  • The mild and even equatorial climate is ideal for growing crops. Born in Ethiopia, it gradually spread throughout the world, taking root in regions whose geography was similar to their historical homeland.

The main coffee growing regions are Central Africa, South and Central America, Southeast Asia.

Which countries grow coffee

Each region of the planet has its own largest producers. Which countries are among the leaders in the cultivation and export of coffee?

South America

  • Brazil. It collects more than 40 million bags of coffee a year, which is almost a third of the world's coffee crop. Coffee from this country is mostly used in blends and blends for espresso because of its taste. In Brazil, many varieties are grown, both Arabica and Robusta. The main advantage of Brazilian coffee is its low price.
  • Colombia. The eternal rival of Brazil in the coffee market. Inferior in quantitative terms, as it supplies the market with 10-13 million bags of coffee, depending on the crop. But the quality of the beans is higher, because only Arabica is grown in Colombia. Colombia controls about 15% of the world coffee market and occupies a prominent position in the high-grade segment.
  • Peru. Compared to the giants, its contribution to the global market is quite modest, about 3-4 million bags of coffee annually. Peruvian coffee is not as famous as Brazilian or Colombian coffee, but some very good single varieties with expressive flavors are grown here, for example, Chanchamayo. The rest goes to creating blends and blends for espresso.

For reference, a standard coffee bag holds 60 kg of beans.

Central America

  • Honduras. The country supplies up to 5 million bags of Arabica per year. Connoisseurs appreciate some single varieties, such as Madeo. As in most countries of the region, the bulk of coffee in Honduras goes mainly to blends and blends.
  • Mexico. It grows a fairly large amount of coffee, almost all of it is consumed by the United States. 4 million bags per year is the average for Mexico. There are no bright tastes, the harvest goes to mixtures for coffee machines.
  • Guatemala. 3.5 million bags of Arabica and Robusta per year is Guatemala's contribution to the world market. In this small country, varieties are grown that are familiar to gourmets around the world, such as the famous Guatemalan Antigua.

A little less than half of the world's coffee crop is grown in South and Central America.

Asia

Asia seriously intends to take over the palm from South and Central America in terms of the amount of coffee grown. The world coffee industry also recognizes the excellent quality of many varieties that ripen in this region.

  • Vietnam. The country is persistently and consistently striving to become one of the world's leading coffee growers, annually supplying from 20 to 30 million bags, depending on the crop. Arabica and Robusta grow here, the country specializes in blends, blends and blends.
  • Indonesia. The island state in Southeast Asia supplies up to 10 million bags of coffee per year. In Indonesia, mainly Robusta grows, and very few old varieties of Arabica. Coffee from the Indonesian island of Java is especially popular among connoisseurs. Not inferior in palatability and Arabica from Sumatra and Sulawesi. Varieties Sumatra Mandeling and Toraya Sulawesi belong to the elite coffee because of the perfectly balanced and bright taste. In Indonesia, one of the most expensive varieties is grown - Kopi Luwak. Indonesian Arabica, which is harvested quite a bit by world standards, is consistent with the saying - the spool is small, but expensive.
  • India. Arabica and Robusta are grown here, the country supplies more than 5 million bags annually to the world market. Indian coffee is added to blends and is similar in characteristics and taste to Indonesian Robusta. India boasts its own unique varieties. Malabar Monsoon has not only an original and unforgettable taste, but also a unique processing technique. Aging grains on the ocean, under the influence of monsoon winds, is now used in several countries, but India was a pioneer in this technology.

Africa

This continent was the birthplace of coffee. Its total share in world exports is inferior to America, but the quality of the grown grain remains traditionally high.

  • Ethiopia. The historical homeland of the entire world of Arabica supplies the market with 6 to 7 million bags of grains annually. In this country, coffee trees grow naturally, they are not cultivated, but simply harvested from ripening crops, as they were hundreds of years ago. Ethiopian coffee is considered one of the best in the world, moreover, it is of exclusively organic origin.
  • Uganda. Its contribution to the global coffee industry is approximately 4 million bags every year. They grow here mainly Robusta for various mixtures. The local arabica coffee yields not so plentiful harvests, but of very high quality. Ugandan coffee in recent years has successfully competed with the famous Javanese varieties.
  • Ivory Coast. The small country supplies about 2.5 million bags of coffee. Robusta dominates, which is bought, among other things, by the Nescafe corporation for the manufacture of instant drinks. Coffee is considered one of the country's four main export products. Approximately 15-20 years ago, Côte d'Ivoire competed with Brazil and Colombia. With the deterioration of the political situation in the country, the volume of cultivation and export of coffee is declining.

Coffee is also grown in New Zealand and Australia, although the latter faces ongoing problems. The climate in the homeland of platypuses and kangaroos is suitable for coffee trees, but the flat terrain and dry air do not allow for good yields.

Where is the most coffee grown?

Coffee grows in many countries, but only a few provide the main supply to the world market.

  1. Brazil - 30%
  2. Vietnam - 17%
  3. Colombia - 12%
  4. Ethiopia - 6%
  5. Indonesia - 5%
  6. India - 4%

Together, these countries account for over 70% of the world's coffee production and exports. Most of the industrial supply of grains goes to the manufacture of mixtures and blends. Therefore, any person who drinks espresso or buys ready mixes, can safely say that he has tried coffee grown in Colombia, Brazil or Africa.

Why are African countries highly specialized? and got the best answer

Answer from Helga[guru]
African countries have not yet succeeded in changing the colonial type of sectoral and territorial structure of the economy, although the pace of economic growth has somewhat accelerated. The colonial type of the sectoral structure of the economy is distinguished by the predominance of small-scale, consumer agriculture, the weak development of the manufacturing industry, and the lag in the development of transport. Agriculture is characterized by low, unstable rates of development lagging behind the rate of population growth, a sharp predominance of crop production, and a special role for export crops. In Africa, there are quite large land resources, but soil erosion has become catastrophic due to improper processing. \" Ivoire, Cameroon, Liberia) - even more. At the same time, agriculture in many countries is still monocultural in nature, associated with specialization in almost a single crop. dependent on world price fluctuations.It has deprived many of them of the fertile land needed to grow their own daily food crops.Monoculture has led to soil depletion.On the other hand, monoculture provides much more income, and in hard currency.It links producing countries with world market.For North African countries, relatively high level development, monocultural specialization with\\x-va as a whole is not typical. Egypt continues to take the 1st place in the world in the collection of long-staple cotton, and most of it is exported. However, its share in total exports does not exceed 1\\10. In Sudan, however, cotton, and especially of high quality, continues to account for half of exports. Cotton remains a monoculture for Burkina Faso, Mali and especially Chad. The cocoa tree found its second home in Africa. Of the Gulf of Guinea countries, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon specialize in the production of cocoa beans, occupying 1, 3, 5, 6 places in the world, respectively. But for Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon, a similar specialization is not monocultural. Whereas for Ghana cocoa beans provide 60-70% of all exports, for Sao Tome and Principe and Equatorial Guinea 80-90% Africa's share in coffee exports is 1/4. Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon stand out from the countries of the Gulf of Guinea. The coffee tree is grown both in peasant farms and on special plantations. Peanuts were brought to West Africa by the Portuguese from South America. For Senegal and the Gambia, this is a typical monoculture. The largest manufacturer peanut is Nigeria. Oil (Guinean) palm is a typical culture of West Africa, which is its homeland and main distribution area. The fruits of this palm tree contain 65-70% oil. They are harvested both in wild groves and plantations. This applies to most countries in the Gulf of Guinea. But only in Benin is the oil palm monoculture. The oil palm is also very characteristic of Nigeria. The main export crops of East Africa are coffee, tea, tobacco, and sisal. The top ten coffee producers include Ethiopia and Uganda. In Ethiopia, up to 70% of all coffee comes from wild trees. Coffee monoculture persists in Rwanda and Burundi. Kenya and Tanzania stand out for tea production, Malawi for tobacco, and Tanzania for sisal. Sugar cane monoculture is typical for the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. In Mauritius, the per capita production of sugar reaches 750 kg per year (in Russia - 15-20 kg, in Ukraine - 100 kg, in the USA - 35-40 kg). Madagascar became the main producer of vanilla, followed by the Comoros. Zanzibar is the main producer of cloves and clove oil.

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It is believed that coffee is the second known drink after tea. He has many fans who appreciate the drink for its unsurpassed aroma, excellent taste and invigorating effect. IN modern world coffee is drunk everywhere and always: served at business meetings, corporate parties, celebrations. You can also meet many in a restaurant with a cup of this aromatic drink.

Which country is the birthplace of coffee

Africa was the first to give the world coffee beans. It is Ethiopia that is famous to this day for its unsurpassed Arabica. The country produces about two hundred thousand tons of products per year.

Suitable climatic conditions favor the growth of coffee bushes, so Ethiopia grows selected quality beans. It is known that the name of the drink comes from the area where Kaffa grows. But, in this province, coffee was called "buno".

In the homeland of coffee in Ethiopia, only Arabica is produced, which is famous for such varieties as Jimma and Harar. They are also added to blends with Colombian beans for superior flavor and aroma.

Arabica is produced by the dry method. The fruits are dried for two weeks under the sun, then the grain is taken out of the shell.

From Africa, the invigorating drink came to Yemen, and then began to spread throughout the world.

Some argue that the birthplace of coffee is Brazil. But this is not so, grains were brought there in the eighteenth century by pilgrims. And then the Brazilians began to grow coffee bushes on their own. Therefore, the country is considered the second home of the invigorating drink.

How coffee appeared: legends

For the first time, a shepherd named Kadim discovered the properties of the coffee bush. It was he who noticed that after the goats ate the leaves and fruits of the tree, they became more active and hardy. In the year 850 AD, people began to brew an infusion of leaves and berry peel, such a drink gave vigor and energy.

Then they learned to dry and fry the peel of the fruit. The raw materials were crushed and brewed into an invigorating fragrant infusion. After a while, people began to prepare coffee in the classical way from dry roasted beans.

According to the second legend, the first to discover the properties and effect of coffee beans was a sheikh from Yemen. In addition to pharmaceutics and state administration, he wrote scientific papers. In them, he claimed that after drinking an infusion of grains, an invigorating effect occurs, the mind becomes clear, the body is filled with strength. Coffee products began to be imported to Europe at the end of the sixteenth century.

coffee countries

We already know that Africa is considered the birthplace of coffee. Since there are so many varieties, they are not all from Ethiopia.

Liberia is a coffee variety that was originally grown in the African country of the same name Liberia. Over time, grains of this variety began to be produced in other countries.

Yemen is considered the birthplace of such a variety as mocha. They call it that because its origin is from the city of Mocha. This place is dominated by soils with a special composition, and the grains grown on these lands have a moderate acidity. And the soils in American and African countries have high acidity, and the taste of the brewed drink from these grains is obtained with sourness.

The Arabs originally learned to brew a drink in the form that we drink. At first they soaked coffee fruits in water and drank it in this form. Then the Arabs began to roast the grains and realized that a drink brewed from such fruits turns out to be very tasty and fragrant.

Brazil second home of coffee

Although Africa is considered the birthplace of coffee, Brazil occupies a leading position in the production of beans. The country produces forty percent of the world's coffee production. Despite the large volumes, they also monitor the quality of coffee. A drink from Brazil will satisfy any consumer. It is there that grains with different taste and aromatic properties grow; almond, flower, chocolate.

The Brazilians call the drink coffeecino, in our opinion it is espresso. Locals drink it at any time of the day and in unlimited quantities, twenty small cups each. In Brazil, coffee is prepared according to different recipes, it can be brewed with milk, honey, citrus fruits, cream and other ingredients.

Brazilian coffee recipe

Residents brew a delicious sweet drink that everyone will enjoy. To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:

  • a teaspoon of ground coffee beans;
  • Fifty grams of dark chocolate;
  • Two cups of hot milk;
  • Whipped cream;
  • Sugar.

First, brew coffee and strain it, add pieces of chocolate. Pour this mass into a large container, pour in hot milk and beat well with a mixer. Now add sugar to taste, pour into cups and garnish with whipped cream.

Varieties of coffee

Not everyone knows that there are actually about eighty types of coffee bushes. But they produce and eat mainly two types: Arabica and Robusta. Species such as Excelsa and Liberica are not used to make a drink, they are used in cosmetology and the confectionery industry.

This variety coffee tree much appreciated. Arabica is very famous, its bushes grow mainly on mountain slopes and require special care. Trees grow vigorously and bear fruit certain temperature when hot days give way to cool nights.

Arabica is often prone to diseases, so the bean harvest is not big every time. One bush of this species annually produces up to five kilograms of grains. Due to the careful care and growing conditions, Arabica is more valued and more expensive than other varieties.

The taste of coffee varies from sweet to sour notes. This is due to the place where the bush grows, the higher it is located, the more sourness is felt. In its pure form, Arabica is not used, because the taste of the drink is not complete. It differs from other species in large grains.

This variety was first grown in the Congo. Robusta is distinguished by its high strength, so it is used in various mixtures with Arabica. The bushes are located at a low height and are unpretentious in their care. Robusta trees are also more disease resistant than Arabica trees.

The coffee bush bears fruit well and yields much more than the previous species. Therefore, the cost of grains is low. Robusta contains more caffeine and less aromatic oils. It is added to the mixture to get a thick, stable foam.

Which is better coffee or cocoa?

Cocoa is also considered an invigorating drink and is very popular among many. South America is considered the birthplace of cocoa. It contains an element such as phenylethylamine, which produces the hormone of joy endorphin. The drink is also rich in zinc, iron and folic acid. Melanin, which is also part of cocoa, has a beneficial effect on skin condition. Caffeine is contained in the drink, but in an amount that does not harm the body.