About Coffee Beans in Africa

Many regions of Africa have a long history of producing coffee. The remarkable flavor profiles of African blends have become extremely popular among consumers and can be purchased from most companies that sell coffee. Historically, coffee has been used for religious ceremonies as well as food rations for nomadic tribes in Africa. Millions of Africans depend on the coffee industry for their livelihood.

Robusta vs. Arabica Beans

Robusta and Arabica beans are the two types of coffee beans, both of which originated in Africa. Arabica beans grow naturally in Ethiopia and are considered to be superior in quality. Uganda is the home of the Robusta bean. Robusta beans often create a bitter product, but the plant produces coffee cherries faster than Arabica plants. Robusta plants require much less maintenance and are less susceptible to weather and altitude. Robusta beans are used in most household American brands like Folgers and Maxwell House.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee because Arabica beans have always grown wild in the region of Kaffa and Ethiopians have historically used coffee in many ceremonies and traditions. Coffee is grown predominantly in the regions of Harrar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe and Limmu. 12 million Ethiopians work in the coffee business and Ethiopia is the home of over 350,000 coffee farms. Early Ethiopian tribes ate the coffee beans or drank a fermented mixture of coffee and wine.

Kenya

Kenya is known for growing some of the highest quality coffee in Africa. Every year after harvest, the beans are sold at auction in Nairobi. The flavor profile of Kenya coffee tends to have bright acidity with fruity or winey characteristics, including black currant and citrus. Approximately six million Kenyans work in coffee production, which is state-of-the-art. Quality is diligently managed by the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture. Many coffee plants are grown on the high altitudes of Mount Kenya.

The Coffee Trade

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, after petroleum. According to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority, coffee farmers and exporters receive only about six percent of the revenue generated by the sale of their coffee to European companies. Furthermore, coffee farms are expected to comply with costly and time-consuming organic certification processes when most of their coffee is grown organically by tradition. Purchasing coffee that is labeled "Fair Trade" guarantees that the coffee workers have been paid appropriately for their labor.

A Better Deal For Farmers

In 2008, Ethiopia shifted their coffee-trading method from the traditional auction to a commodity exchange program. Coffee brings about $525 million in revenue to Ethiopia annually. Ethiopian coffees are considered some of the best in the world, but inconsistencies in quality have limited sales. The director of the exchange, Elini Gabre-Mahinn, claims that Ethiopian farmers are the lowest paid coffee producers in the world. Peet's Coffee and Bill Gates are teaming up to invest in coffee farmers in Rwanda, hoping to see a better quality product from the impoverished nation and increased income for the farmers themselves.

Resources

• Starbucks Information on Sustainability
• Sweet Maria's Coffee