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June 26, 2024
Best Coffee in the World
The genus Coffea (Rubiaceae) comprises 124 species, most of which are native to tropical and southern Africa (Davis et al. 2006, Davis et al. 2011). Among these species, only two are cultivated widely and used in coffee production: Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora Perre ex A. Froehner. Although these two species originated in Africa, they were introduced to many tropical and subtropical countries and became their most important cash crops. Coffee is currently produced in about 80 tropical and subtropical countries; the top three coffee producing countries are Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia, which produce approximately 66% of the world’s coffee.
Colombia is probably the world's best-known coffee producer. A high standard of excellence is maintained with great pride and careful growing on thousands of small family farms across the country. Such care and attention results in consistently good, mild coffees, with a well-balanced acidity. The rugged Colombian landscape provides the perfect natural environment for growing, but the terrain makes it difficult to transport the harvested coffee beans to production and shipment centers. Even today, this is often done by mule or Jeep. Colombian Supremo, the highest grade, has a delicate, aromatic sweetness while Excelso Grade is softer and slightly more acidic.
The National Coffee Research Center (Cenicafé) was established in 1938 by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC) to study issues related to coffee production, quality, pests, disease, and conservation of natural resources in the Colombian coffee regions. Cenicafé is currently working with USDA ARS in Hawaii to understand the efficacy of the wasp (Phymastichus coffea) biological control of coffee berry borer (CBB: Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)). USDA is hoping to establish the biological control programs in Hawaii to manage the population of CBB. They have seen promising results. The current challenge is to rear wasps more efficiently. It is difficult to rear this tiny wasp; felames are about 1mm long, whereas males are half that size. The artificial foods for this wasp is expensive.
Coffee is important (to most folks). Hopefully, sustainable control methods of CBB will be established around the world so that we can continue enjoying delicious coffee!
Phymastichus coffea adult parasitizing an adult of
Hypothenemus hampei entering the coffee berry (Photo G. Hoyos). From Benavides et al, 2012.
Wasp (Phymastichus coffea) release in Colombia.
Professor teaches how to grow coffee and manage pest and disease problems.
Coffee trees are planted so closely on the mountain slopes in Colombia. It is very different from coffee plantations in Hawaii (See the image below).
Coffee flowers (Colombia).
Coffee beans are harvested by hand in Colombia. One of the challenges is that coffee beans mature at different times even on the same tree. Hand pickers need to go back to the same trees multiple times.
Coffee plantation in Hawaii.
Coffee beans are harvested by machines in Hawaii.
Maturing coffee beans (Hawaii).
Professors from University of Hawaii examining the CBB infestations.
CBB infested coffee bean (Hawaii).
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