Coffe Characters
Coffee grows on varied soils - volcanic, siliceous clay, alluvial and peat and sand. Like the vine, soil gives a particular character to the same botanical species and different “Vintages” arise. Soil must be deep (roots are 1 to 2 metres) and acid (pH 4.5 to 6).
Important growing factors are:
- Avoiding excessive cold and heat.
- 1200-1500mm of rain per annum.
- A few hours of light per day.
- No strong winds.
- Altitude - The higher the better.
Coffee grows between 28 degrees North and 30 degrees South; so growing areas include Central America, Caribbean, Brazil, West Africa, East Africa and Yemen, Madagascar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.