Before it reaches your cup, your coffee goes on a journey made up of many steps. All of these steps have an impact on the beans, including the region and climate in which they’re grown.
Almost all the world’s coffee grows in the “Coffee Belt.” The Coffee Belt circles the earth, falling between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. There are more than 70 coffee-producing countries around the world, and Starbucks® buys coffee from more than 30 of them. The cultures, landscapes and growing methods vary by country and all contribute to different coffee flavours.
The Coffee Belt is divided into three main growing regions: Latin America, Africa and Asia / Pacific. We responsibly source, roast and blend coffees from each of these three regions to bring you unique coffees.
Just like tea or wine, coffee gets much of its flavour from where it comes from. Each of these growing regions has different growing conditions and traditions that affect the overall flavour of the coffee.
LATIN AMERICA
Latin American coffees are the foundation of many of Starbucks® most beloved blends. We buy more coffee from this region than any other because of its consistent taste and quality. This region has many different microclimates, soils and processing traditions. Costa Rica, for example, is known for its volcanoes, which can impact the taste profile of the coffee grown there.
So, what kind of flavours can you expect from a Latin American coffee? As you sip, you’ll discover delicious notes of nuts, cocoa and soft spice.