Ever Wanted to Do Coffee Tourism?
- Brew Interrupted Coffee Staff
- Jun 8, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 16, 2021
Well, You're Not Alone. It's becoming more and more popular.
Coffee tourism – it's a thing.
Do you travel for coffee? Do you plan your vacations around coffee? Well you're not alone. Coffee Tourism is expected to increase in 2021 and beyond.
What is coffee tourism?
Coffee tourism is pretty straightforward, it involves visiting countries where coffee is grown and tasting different types of coffee or concentrating on consuming different coffees in countries renowned for its production and consumption. It may just be the best type of travel there is!
For Millennials Coffee Tourism Becomes a “Thing” in 2021
Millennials often approach coffee as a holistic experience, and as such, many young people seek out coffees in popular growing regions. Coffee tourism has officially become the next big trend. Millennials in particular, seek more authentic experiences in unique cafes around the world. Coffee tourism is similar to the farm-to-table movement for produce and meat production. When researching where to travel, Millennials seek out shops that offer unique coffee and tea presentations, compelling photographs of coffee plantations, educational experiences, etc.
Columbia: boasts some of the best coffee beans on the globe
Coffee production has shrunk and been replaced by bananas, oranges and avocadoes. Low global prices and competition from bigger and more mechanized players, such as Brazil and Vietnam, have pushed many farmers out of production.
Thanks to improvements in the security situation, tourists are now flocking to Colombia – revenue has doubled since 2010 - and coffee tourism is helping to provide farmers with an alternative income. Near the rural village of Pijao, in Quindio province, a partnership between a young coffee tour company and local farmers and coffee businesses is doing just this.
Seattle- Buzzing Coffee Culture
Seattle reigns as the epicenter of coffee culture in the United States. Birthplace of Starbucks, you can even buy your favorite roast at the original location in Pike Place Market. But beyond the coffee giant, Seattle thrives with a buzzing coffee culture in its many amazing coffee shops. Any coffee-lover’s trip to Seattle should include sipping your nitro cold brew while looking out through a rain-streaked window.
One of the priciest and most prized coffees in the world, Kona coffee grows only on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. Sample its sweet, nutty flavor and see if you can detect its natural hint of nuts or spice when you drink a freshly roasted cup.
Tips for Buying Kona Coffee in Hawaii:
Look for labels that say 100% Kona coffee. Many gift shops in Hawaii sell Kona coffee blends that are usually only 10% Kona coffee beans.
Buy whole beans instead of grounds. You get more flavor when you grind them just before brewing.
Store your coffee in an airtight container in the freezer to optimize freshness when you return from your coffee vacation.
As the second-largest coffee producer in the world, Vietnam brews its own unique style of coffee that’s well worth a trip. Vietnamese coffee starts with robusta beans, known for their high caffeine content and bitter bite, roasted with butter and brandy. Traditionally, the coarsely ground beans are brewed through a metal drip filter called a phin then mixed with sweetened condensed milk. You can have it cool with ice or whipped with an egg for a custardy beverage. Discover all the ways to appreciate coffee in Hanoi with a local guide.
Ethiopia: The Birthplace Of Coffee
It’s common folklore that the first to discover coffee were Ethiopian goat herders. These shepherds witnessed their goats acting unusually alert after chewing on the berries of the coffee bush. Ethiopians eventually followed the goats’ lead, creating a beverage steeped from the roasted coffee beans. Now, centuries later, Ethiopia still boasts a strong tradition of coffee excellence. The country’s coffee ceremony pays much respect to the drink and is part of the charm of visiting the country.
This landlocked and rugged nation may not be the first to come to mind as a vacation spot, but in 2015 Ethiopia was named the world’s best tourist destination by the European Council on Tourism and Trade. The country has a rich history — and not only in its cups of coffee. Several ancient churches and historic palaces and castles dot Ethiopia, which boasts nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Coffee tourism is growing as well, and with a wide-spread industry of up to five million farmers, there are plenty of choices to learn about coffee cultivation and preparation.
Jamaica: One Of The Finest Coffees
Jamaican Blue Mountain is one of the most sought-after coffee varieties. It’s also some of the priciest per pound (that doesn’t come from animal waste). The reason for its exclusivity is the small production on the Caribbean island. Jamaica’s total annual coffee production is about four million pounds a year. Compare that with nearby Dominican Republic’s annual 118 million pound production, and then consider that not all of Jamaica’s production is even from the Blue Mountain region. Jamaican Blue Mountain is grown at slightly higher and cooler elevations that most places in the coffee belt — the band around the globe where coffee is produced. Because of the colder growing weather, this coffee takes longer to ripen fully. The extra time means more money spent caring and cultivating the product, but it also adds to the coffee’s rich and delicious flavor. In Jamaica, coffee is a big deal. Shops everywhere sell its famed mountain blend, but eco-tourism aimed at witnessing the magical coffee process is also available.
We hope you enjoy your coffee destination vacation tour, no matter where you go. If you’ve taken a coffee tour, we’d love to hear about it! Post comments below, and coffee cheers to you!
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