So where exactly is coffee grown?

Coffee can only grow in particular places that offer specific growing conditions.  Warm places with plenty of rain and humidity, and soil rich with nitrogen are essential.  Countries that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn have the idea growing conditions that coffee needs!  This is known as the "Coffee Bean Belt".  The following countries lie in this region:

Central America: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. 
Coffees from Central America are well-balanced, medium bodied and mild. They have a medium acidity with a clean, bright cup, often with chocolate notes at the finish.
South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. 
South American coffees are similar to Central American coffees.  They are mild-bodied. 
(FYI - Colombian is the coffee most people are familiar with, however, Brazil produces the most coffee worldwide.)                                                              

Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, and Yemen.
African coffees are complex and bright with sweet and fruity notes and floral aroma.  

Asia: Bali, Papua New Guinea, Sumatra, Myanmar, Java, India, Vietnam
Asian coffees tend to be full bodied, rich and earthy. 

Island:  Hawaii, Haiti/Dominican Republic, Jamaica 
Due to the low elevation these coffees are low acid often with undertones of vanilla.

The differences in weather, sunshine, rainfall, altitude, soil chemistry and processing methods all contribute to the distinct flavors that characterize a region. 

We hope this helps you when you are deciding on which coffee origins to enjoy.