The coffee belt.

Coffee is produced in around 80 countries, all located in the coffee belt.

Just as there is a wine belt, this segment that covers both sides of the Earth's equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, offers the best conditions for obtaining high performance and Mexico is part of this privileged geographical area.

He specialty coffee enjoys great popularity that grows day by day around the world. Knowing its traceability is a benchmark of the quality it offers in the cup and, like other drinks with enormous global reputation such as wine and tea, they share similarities in their identity and high performance cultures.

A determining factor in the attributes of the bean has to do with the terrain in which it is obtained; just as there is the famous “geographical strip of wine” in which the best distillates are obtained from vines planted in these latitudes, there is also the “Coffee Belt”, in which the most important coffees are usually obtained for their geoclimatic characteristics, a term not always used in the sector and even unknown to a large part of consumers.

First of all, if you are looking for a specialty coffee, it is necessary to grow it in the best specific climatic conditions that guarantee its high quality, which is reflected in the cup, by triggering the maximum potential of its organoleptic properties. Geographically, these lands have been delimited between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, parallels located at an exact latitude of 23º 26′ 14″1, on both sides of the equator. If the Earth were observed from space, this segment of surface would form a kind of belt around the planet; hence its name.

The Coffee Belt is dominated by tropical and jungle climates, humid and warm with plenty of shade, ideal for the healthy development of the coffee plant. For this reason, the main coffee-producing countries in the world are located within this zone. This is why many countries that consume the drink have to settle for just buying it from producers, since their soils and climates are not suitable for coffee growing. Therefore, Mexico should feel proud that its beans are part of the Coffee Belt.

Who lives in the Coffee Circle?

As mentioned, virtually all of the major producers of the aromatic coffee are crossed by the Coffee Belt; in America it covers Mexico, all of Central America and the upper part of South America, where Colombia and Brazil have taken full advantage of their geographical position to produce two of the most recognized beans on the planet, while Europe is outside the belt and Africa and Asia are among the most benefited by having the vast majority of their nations in this parallel; of course, the most recognized beans from this area are those from Ethiopia –where coffee originates–, the Ivory Coast, Uganda, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.

Now, regardless of whether Arabica, Robusta or Liberica is planted – it should be noted that in recent years various botanists specialising in the subject have added two other classes, Eugenoides and Anthonyi, but these are more commonly used for plant genetic improvement, so the first three are for commercial use by the industry, although in the case of Liberica it is preferred only by some African countries – it is necessary to determine the quality of the soil in which the coffee tree is grown and, very importantly, the altitude at which it is grown; both elements are fundamental to the quality of the cherry obtained, regardless of whether it is Typica, Bourbon, Pacamara, Gesha, Catuai, etc.

Thus, Arabica is planted from 900 meters above sea level, to obtain an average temperature of 20° Celsius; being a more delicate plant in its care, its cherry trees are the most appreciated to obtain specialty coffee, since it requires various processes, often internationally certified, to guarantee that its organoleptic characteristics will be maintained in the cup, which should be reflected in a differentiated price (a topic to be discussed on another occasion).

While Robusta, which has gained more attention in recent years and is beginning to gain ground in the specialty coffee industry, can be grown at a lower altitude, since its plant is more resistant to adverse weather conditions and even to pest attacks, which does not mean it must also be carefully cared for. As a result of these geographical conditions, its cherry is larger than that of Arabica and has more caffeine, which affects its bitterness and makes it a little lighter, which is why it is preferred for making instant coffee, although as mentioned, in recent years a pro-robusta specialty trend has emerged and there are even Q tasters specialized in this bean.

There is no doubt that specialty coffee is unique from its origin. Mexico is part of the Coffee Belt, which is why it has some of the best beans in the world, and consumers appreciate this quality cup by cup.

Credits: Pdg Español, The world of coffee.