Image origin: http://sprudge.com/the-cafe-imports-coffee-family-tree-now-available-in-korean-and-mandarin-65523.html
When discussing the Terroir of coffee at Olympia Coffee Roasters, we discovered that the flavor of coffee is more dependent on variety and processing practices rather than the specific region in which it is grown. There are a large number of varieties and species, though we predominately consume Robusta and Ethiopian Arabica. Coffee originated in Ethiopia, though the leading producers and exporters today are: Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico (Global Exchange, 2011).
Interestingly enough, though coffee became a recognized drink in the mid-1600’s, it wasn’t all that popular until a heavy tax on tea caused a revolt called the Boston Tea Party in 1773 (National Coffee Association, n.d.). Tea lost its popularity and coffee became the morning drink of choice to remain alert and productive during the workday. Today, coffee is the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, right behind petroleum (a commodity that has been the fuel for a world war).
As the coffee industry grows, it is vital now more than ever for producers and consumers to become aware of the impact coffee has globally (an impact to both the environment and people involved in producing it). A certification program currently in place is the Fair Trade label. This certification program works to insure that the people growing and processing coffee in other countries are given a fair exchange of worth for their products. Companies trading directly with people across the world are able to cutout middlemen and have a relationship with growers, often creating a quality insurance of the product and increase the quality of life for farmers in developing countries.
References: About Coffee History of Coffee. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2015, from http://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee
Coffee in the Global Economy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.globalexchange.org/fairtrade/coffee/faq