From the Tropics to Your Mug: Coffee’s Origins

Ever wonder where your morning cup begins? Coffee is grown in over 70 countries, but nearly all of it comes from a narrow band around the equator known as the Coffee Belt—stretching from 25°N to 30°S. This region offers the perfect mix of altitude, rainfall, and temperature for coffee trees to thrive.

🌱 Top 10 Green Coffee Exporters (2024):

• Brazil – 3,984,000 metric tons (38%)
• Vietnam – 1,806,000 metric tons (17%)
• Colombia – 774,000 metric tons (7%)
• Indonesia – 654,000 metric tons (6%)
• Ethiopia – 501,600 metric tons (5%)
• Uganda – 384,000 metric tons (4%)
• India – 372,000 metric tons (4%)
• Honduras – 318,000 metric tons (3%)
• Peru – 261,000 metric tons (2%)
• Mexico – 232,200 metric tons (2%)
  Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Visual Capitalist
  

Together, these ten countries account for nearly 89% of global green coffee production, each contributing distinct terroirs, varietals, and traditions that shape the flavor diversity in your cup.

☕ Coffee Grown in the United States? Yes!

While most U.S. coffee is imported, there are a few regions producing small but meaningful harvests:

• Hawaii (Kona & Maui): ~3,100 metric tons annually
• Puerto Rico: ~1,600 metric tons
• California (Santa Barbara & San Diego counties): Experimental farms producing micro-lots
• Florida (Miami & Key West): Emerging backyard and boutique efforts
  

These farms are often boutique operations, focused on quality and innovation rather than scale.

🌳 Why Large-Scale Coffee Farming Isn’t Feasible in the U.S.
Coffee farming is a slow, climate-dependent process. A coffee tree typically takes 3 to 5 years to mature and produce fruit, with optimal yields arriving around years 5 to 7. Even then, each tree may yield just 10 to 20 pounds of cherries annually, depending on conditions. The combination of long maturation cycles, labor intensity, and limited suitable climates makes large-scale U.S. production unlikely.

🌎 U.S. Green Coffee Imports:
To meet demand, the United States imports over 1.38 million metric tons of green coffee annually—more than 1.56 billion pounds. That makes the U.S. one of the largest coffee importers in the world, relying on a vast network of producers, cooperatives, and exporters across the Coffee Belt.

Next time you sip, take a moment to appreciate the journey—from volcanic soils in Ethiopia to misty hills in Colombia, and the rainy climate of Indonesia. We’re proud to roast coffees that honor this global legacy.