Natural Factors of Coffee Production
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High rainfall of 2000 mm or more per year and an average annual daily temp of 15-27 degrees Celsius. Hotter than this will slow down the photosynthesis and plants don't grow efficiently
Coffee plants can only grow in certain environmental conditions. These conditions are found all around the world creating the bean belt
Coffee plants require very similar climatic conditions to those required by tropical rain forests. Warm and humid
If colder, frost damage can occur. When it happens, it happens in the winter months of June-August in Southern hemisphere and only affects Brazil
Plants require 120 mm per year of rainfall to grow and needs to be dispersed throughout the year
Lower quality 'Robusta' variety grows at much lower altitudes from 0 - 900 m above sea level and can withstand temperatures as high as 30 degrees along with much lower levels of rainfall. Mostly produced by Indonesia and Vietnam. Hardier disease resistant lower quality bitter tasting coffee
High quality coffee typically grown in areas of high elevation meaning there will be a greater demand for coffee from these locations
Coffee grown at variety of altitudes but higher quality 'Arabica' usually grows best on hilly slopes ranging from 550 - 1900 m above sea level. In countries like Ethiopia, parts of Brazil, Jamaica, Kenya, Colombia and Mexico
Fast drainage down the mountain reduces the amount of water the coffee plants soak up and how fat their cherries turn
Fewer plants survive at high elevations reducing the likelihood that diseases will spread to the coffee plants
Altitude can affect the amount of rainfall a location receives because high elevation forces clouds to condense and release rain. Therefore in places of high elevation, such as Colombia, we also see high levels of precipitation
This soil often found in hilly places which is why coffee is found at high elevation above sea level (high elevation are often mountainous)
Harsh growing conditions slow the beans maturation which allows complex flavours to develop over that time
Another natural factor needed by coffee plants in rich porous (free draining) soil to produce a crop over its 12-30 year life span
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