Which country has the best coffee?

Coffee, that magical drink that kick-starts the day for millions of Dutch people in the morning. We actually have a rather intimate relationship with this drink.

But what do we actually know about the origins of coffee, where does it come from and which country has the best coffee?

Just like the grapes used for wine, the beans used for coffee also have specific properties. These are primarily determined by the growing conditions, such as sunlight, rain, soil type, and altitude.

Because the specialty coffee market is growing enormously, we are all being treated to increasingly unique coffee beans with increasingly complex flavor profiles.

Of course, there is no arguing about taste, but this handy overview will at least help you on your way to finding the best coffee.

The countries with the best coffee

Ethiopia

You may have heard that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It's also home to some of the world's finest coffee beans.

In 850 BC, goat herder Kaldi discovered that his animals became very happy after eating the berries of a certain plant, the coffee plant.

Thanks to the high altitude at which coffee grows in Ethiopia, this country is known as the producer of the best coffee beans in the world.

Ethiopian coffee is known for its wine-like character and fresh mouthfeel. It often has a light to medium body, high acidity, and complex flavor notes.

Also read: Where does coffee come from?

Costa Rica

Costa Rican coffee enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. Since 1989, the Costa Rican government has prohibited the planting of low-quality coffee plants to encourage Costa Rican coffee growers to strive for pure, excellent quality.

The coffee beans grown on the volcanic soil in the mountainous regions are characterized by a smooth and soft flavor profile with a rich walnut-like taste.

Kenya

Wow, Kenya. This is one of my personal favorites. In my opinion, the best coffee comes from here. What a treat to drink a Kenyan light roast.

My favorite coffee beans come from Niyeri County, also known as the champagne region of coffee. 

Kenyan specialty coffee is known for its explosive fruity flavors. In a good Kenyan coffee, you'll find notes of blackcurrant along with the brightest, yet most intense acidity you can expect.

Yemen

Coffee from this country is supposedly incredibly special. I don't have any personal experience with it, other than reading the book "The Monk of Mocha."

If you're into coffee, then this is definitely a must-read and should definitely be on your list of best books.

What I know from the book is that coffee from Yemen is incredibly difficult to export because of the wars that have been raging there for years. The coffee itself is apparently of superior quality and truly belongs to the crème de la crème of specialty coffee.

Stay tuned because a coffee from Yemen will definitely be coming again.

Jamaica

Jamaica is known for producing some of the world's most expensive, premium coffees. Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is exceptionally well-balanced with a pleasant medium acidity.

This rare coffee bean grows in the east of the island at altitudes of 910-1700 meters and may only be grown on certified estates.

Because of the small area where this coffee is allowed to be grown, the price is kept very high and it is seen as a real luxury product.

Colombia

Colombia is the country where it all began for Black Rouse. Colombia is a major coffee producer, accounting for 15% of the world's Arabica coffee .

The excellent climate and rich soil here produce superior coffee beans.

Colombian coffee producers are also known for hand-picking all their coffee cherries. This ensures that only the ripest cherries are picked, which significantly improves the quality of the final product.

Also read: Colombian coffee: Colombia's love child

Panama

Panama is especially known for its magnificent Panama Geisha lots. These Geisha coffees fetch very high prices at auction.

Fun fact: Panama currently holds the record for the most expensive coffee ever sold at auction. It's a coffee prized by barista champions around the world.

Oh yeah, now you're probably curious about the price this coffee sold for. A whopping $1,029 for 1 pound (about half a kilo).

Also read: What is the rarest coffee in the world?

Conclusion

Of course, there are many more countries and many more coffee farmers that produce truly delicious coffee. The country, climate, and soil in which the coffee is grown have a major impact on the final flavor.

But a truly good specialty coffee farmer can also have fantastic lots from countries not on this list. As these countries become more well-known in the future, they'll undoubtedly be included here as well. Which coffee do you consider the best?