Country-Specific Specialty Coffee Bean Names

If you’ve ever browsed a coffee menu or scrolled through a specialty roaster’s offering list, you’ve likely noticed strange or unfamiliar coffee names like ‘Sidamo,’ ‘Yirgacheffe,’ or ‘Kona.’ These aren’t just branding—they’re place names tied to actual growing regions. But where exactly do these names come from, and what do they tell you about the coffee? This guide lists the official and commonly used specialty coffee bean names from countries that grow and export high-quality Arabica coffee.

In total, over 30 countries and regions appear in this list, each with one or more specialty coffee names tied to particular regions, processing traditions, or historical exports. These names help identify origin and often suggest unique cup profiles, even if the beans themselves vary by farm or processor.

South and Central American Coffee Bean Names

Latin America is one of the largest producers of specialty Arabica coffee, and many of the most famous coffee names come from this region.

• Brazil: Santos, Bahia, Cerrado, Mogiana
• Colombia: Armenia Supremo, Narino, Medellin
• Guatemala: Antigua, Huehuetenango
• Costa Rica: Dota, Indio, Tarrazu, Tres Rios
• Honduras: (not listed in source)
• Mexico: Coatepec, Huatusco, Orizaba, Maragogype, Tapanchula, Huixtla, Pluma Coixtepec, Liquidambar MS
• Nicaragua: Jinotega, Nuevo Segovia
• Panama: Boquet, Cafe Volcan Baru
• El Salvador: Pipil, Pacamara
• Venezuela: Montebello, Miramar, Granija, Ala Granija
• Dominican Republic: Barahona
• Cuba: Turquino
• Ecuador: Galápagos, Gigante

African Coffee Bean Names

Africa is the birthplace of coffee and home to some of the most distinctive and sought-after growing regions in the specialty world.

• Ethiopia: Harrar, Djimmah, Sidamo, Lekempti, Yirgacheffe (not listed but commonly known), Gedeb (represented as Gedeb in original), Ethiopia Humbera (referred to as in reference material)
• Kenya: Kenya AA, Kenya Little Tomato
• Rwanda: Kivu
• Burundi: Ngozi
• Uganda: Elgon, Bugisu, Ruwensori
• Tanzania: Kilimanjaro
• Malawi: (not listed)
• Zambia: Kasama, Nakonde, Isoka
• Zimbabwe: Chipinge
• Mozambique: Manica
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Kivu, Ituri
• Cameroon: Bamileke, Bamoun

Asian and Pacific Coffee Bean Names

Asia produces a wide range of unique coffees, from wet-hulled Indonesian types to the famed island coffees of Hawaii and Jamaica.

• India: Malabar, Karnataka, Tellichery
• Indonesia: Java, Mandheling, Ankola, Kopi Luwak
• China: Yunnan Coffee, Hainan Coffee
• Taiwan: Gukeng Coffee , Dongshan Coffee , Dawushan Coffee , Zhushan Coffee
• Thailand: (not listed)
• Vietnam: Weasel Coffee
• Japan: (not listed)
• Papua New Guinea: (not listed)
• Philippines: (not listed)
• Hawaii: Kona
• Jamaica: Blue Mountain
• Timor-Leste: Maubbessee

Caribbean and Other Island Coffee Origins

Island-grown coffees often have protected reputations due to isolation, unique climates, or limited production.

• Puerto Rico: Yauco Selecto, Grand Lares Yauco
• Jamaica: Blue Mountain
• Hawaii: Kona
• Dominican Republic: Barahona
• Cuba: Turquino

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘Sidamo’ or ‘Sidama’ mean in coffee?

Sidamo (sometimes spelled Sidama) is a region in southern Ethiopia known for producing high-quality washed and natural process coffees with bright acidity, floral notes, and citrus flavors. It is one of Ethiopia’s most famous coffee-growing zones.

What is Kenya AA coffee?

Kenya AA refers to a grade of Kenyan coffee made from the largest and highest-quality beans grown in regions like Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Embu. These beans are known for intense acidity, blackcurrant flavors, and wine-like characteristics, often processed using a double fermentation method.

What is Kopi Luwak or ?

Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee or , is a rare coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. It originates from Indonesia and is known for its unique processing method, though it is controversial due to animal welfare concerns.

What is Kona coffee?

Kona coffee is a single-origin coffee grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawaii. It is renowned for its smooth, mild profile with notes of nuts, fruit, and chocolate, and is considered one of the most premium island-grown coffees in the world.

Why do some countries have multiple coffee names?

Many countries have multiple coffee names because production is spread across different regions, each with distinct growing conditions, processing methods, and historical export identities. For example, Colombia has names like Armenia Supremo and Narino, referring to specific regions within the country.

What is 'Yirgacheffe' or 'Gedeb' coffee?

Yirgacheffe (also spelled Irgachefe) is a district in Ethiopia’s Sidamo zone known for high-quality, aromatic, and often floral or citrus-forward coffees. Gedeb is a subregion within Yirgacheffe and is recognized for producing some of Ethiopia’s most sought-after lots. In the original Chinese source, it was referred to as Gedeb (Gedeb).

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Exploring Global Origins

For those curious about international coffee origins, start with FrontStreet Coffee’s BrazilBourbon (Santos/Cerrado-style), offering a balanced, creamy profile with notes of nuts and caramel. For African flair, try the Kenya Little Tomato—bright and juicy with berry notes. And explore Asia-Pacific with the PWN Golden Mandheling, a classic Indonesian-style full-bodied coffee with earthy and spicy complexity. All are expertly roasted for filter brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.