Coffee-Growing Countries
Currently, there are roughly 60 worldwide, all located in the so-called coffee belt around the equator, 23° north and 25° south of the largest circle of latitude. We don't know exactly what impact climate change will have on cultivation and processing, and indeed on the entire value chain, and what it will look like in 50 years, but for many of today's coffee-growing countries, the future looks alarming, or even dramatic – coffee cultivation may no longer be possible there in the future.
Others, on the other hand, can benefit from weather changes, as they suddenly experience more intensive rainfall, longer dry periods, warmer temperatures, or fewer pests. And so it may be that in the future we can not only 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 takes a look into the crystal ball.
Varieties, Post-Harvest Processing, and Commodity Markets
In this series on coffee-growing countries, we focus on the different national varieties, traditional and modern post-harvest processing methods, the characteristic flavor characteristics of the regions, the prevailing weather conditions, as well as the typicity of the soil. We look at the commodity exchanges in New York and London, compare prices from previous years, and put coffee revenue in relation to gross domestic product.
History of Coffee
And so we also don't want to forget the history of coffee. Because politically, economically, and in terms of taste, our universal pick-me-up has had its ups and downs. For instance, morality mandates in the 18th century repeatedly aimed to ban this exotic, energizing (or energy-draining?) hot beverage – albeit unsuccessfully. Coffee is deep colonial history, with many dark and dubious stories from the past - as well as from the present. Postcolonialism, we also engage with that.
Who's Behind the Coffee?
Last but not least, we dedicate ourselves to influential personalities who have advanced coffee in their country, pioneered its development, and continue to do so, and who stand up for coffee and its culture. Companies that don't just talk about a better future, but create one through their values and their 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.
