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Thank you Africa : The continent that gave us the best drink in the world

It is True : Ethiopia is the cradle of the "Coffee Arabica" plant and, according to the well-known legend, it is there where it all started : We've all heard the story of the shepherd and his goats that tasted the nergetic cherry - cascara..

With this article we would like to dedicate a few lines to the coffee culture in Africa.

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Have you ever wondered about African coffee culture? Africa is one of the most highly reputed countries for coffee production in the world, and the quality of its coffee beans, coupled with its excellent climate and skilled coffee growers.

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However, while Africa is one of the largest global producers of coffee beans, providing approximately 13% of the total global supply, it remains apparent that coffee consumption in Africa is actually more limited than in many other countries of the world, and so this could be worth considering while determining the coffee culture in Africa.

How coffee is cultivated in Africa

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Coffee cultivation is big business in Africa, but despite this, the majority of African coffee production is still cultivated by small-scale farms and smallholdings. In fact, as much as 90% of African coffee may be grown by small growers, commonly alongside other crops or plantations.

The most common coffee cultivations in Africa include Arabica and Robusta coffee strains. Meanwhile, in Burundi – Africa’s poorest nation – coffee consumption represents a significant component of the country’s income, where they almost exclusively grow premium-quality Jackson, Bourbon, and Mibirizi coffee.

As such, when buying your next bag of premium coffee, it may be worth considering the country of origin; if it’s any of these, there’s a good chance it could be of African origin. A large number of African coffees are grown at high altitudes, which can make growing more difficult (but which also helps contribute a unique appeal to the coffee itself).

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Coffee consumption in Africa

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While Africa is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, it is also one of the lowest coffee drinkers – far outstripped by European nations and the United States.

For example, Ethiopia is the largest African coffee consumer, going through around 180 tons of coffee per year, compared to its production of 440,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, countries such as Algeria consume just 120 tonnes per year, and most other African countries are substantially lower still.

As such, it’s relatively clear to see how African countries, despite being among the most substantial global coffee producers, typically tend to be minimal coffee consumers themselves. This may be partially because income in African countries is traditionally low, limiting African residents’ ability to spend as much on coffee as in other countries, particularly those in the West.
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One of our favorite espresso-blends contains coffee from Congo and Central Africa : It's the "Rossa" from Mokarico Firenze !

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Which African countries produce the Highest Quality Coffee ?

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Generally, the highest-quality coffee is produced in countries that grow at high altitudes, such as Ethiopia. However, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda for example are all also popular growers of premium quality African coffee. However, Burundi also specializes in producing high-quality coffee, which may be bolstered by the fact that so much of the country’s economy relies heavily on the coffee industry.

Of course, we should point out here that everyone’s idea of a quality cup of coffee will likely be a little different.

For example, the different depths of body, flavors, and aftertastes for each “ideal” cup of coffee will likely vary from person to person. However, the quality of coffee cannot be determined simply by the coffee beans alone. For example, the type of water used and its mineral composition and brewing times may also substantially influence a drink’s final flavor.

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Discover our Ethiopian Single Origin coffee : 100% Arabica Yrga Cheffe - Caffè Carraro 1927
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Final thoughts

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As one of the world’s biggest producers of coffee, it’s easy to see why Africa has such a significant influence on global coffee consumption. And, with the ideal climate for growing coffee beans, Africa is evidently one of the best locations for quality coffee production in the world. However, to get the most from your cup of coffee, it still remains essential to spend time considering which countries produce the highest-quality coffee globally.

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