Coffee-Growing Countries
Currently, there are nearly 60 countries worldwide, all located in the so-called Coffee Belt around the equator, 23° north and 25° south of the largest parallel. We don't know exactly what impact climate change will have on cultivation and processing, indeed on the entire value chain, and what it will look like in 50 years, but for many of today's growing countries, the future looks frightening, or even dramatic – coffee cultivation may no longer be possible there in the future.
Others, however, can benefit from the weather changes, as they suddenly experience more intense rainfall, longer dry spells, warmer temperatures, or fewer pests. And so it may be that in the future we will not only be able to enjoy coffee from current growing regions but perhaps also from new ones, such as Argentina, Uruguay, or even Portugal. Coffee 2050 - where will it grow? Who will cultivate it? Philipp dares to look into the crystal ball.
Varieties, Post-Harvest Process, and the Stock Exchange
In this series on coffee-growing countries, we dedicate ourselves to the different national varieties, traditional and modern post-harvest processes, the characteristic taste profiles of the regions, the prevailing weather, and the typicality of the soil. We look at the stock exchanges in New York and London, compare prices from recent years, and put coffee sales in relation to the gross domestic product.
History of Coffee
And so, we don't want to forget the history of coffee either. Because politically, economically, and in terms of taste, our common pick-me-up has experienced ups and downs. For example, morality mandates in the 18th century repeatedly aimed to ban this exotic, energy-giving (or energy-draining?) hot beverage – albeit unsuccessfully. Coffee is a deep colonial history, with many dark and dubious stories from the past – and also from the present. Post-colonialism, that also concerns us.
Who is behind the coffee?
Last but not least, we dedicate ourselves to influential personalities who have driven coffee forward in their countries, pioneered and continue to do so, and advocate for coffee and its culture. Companies that not only talk about a better future but also create a better future with their values and actions.
Because coffee is not just a pick-me-up. Coffee is emotion, hard work, development policy, passion, taste, vision, climate policy, and much more.
