The Forgotten Origins of Surinam Coffee

When coffee lovers trace the roots of South American production, Colombia, Brazil, and even Venezuela often come to mind. But one name rarely surfaces: Surinam. Yet this small Caribbean nation was actually the first in South America to cultivate coffee — introduced not from Africa or the Middle East, but via Indonesia’s Java Island.

Surinam began growing coffee in the early 1700s after the Dutch brought trees from Java. By the mid-18th century, coffee was cultivated in what was then Dutch Guyana and spread into neighbouring French Guiana. Though now a minimal producer, its early role shaped regional cultivation patterns.

How Coffee First Reached Surinam

The story starts in 1667, when Dutch settlers arrived in Surinam. By the early 1700s, they had begun experimenting with coffee cultivation. The first coffee trees were a gift from the Mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate named Hansback. These trees, originally from Java, were planted in what was then known as Dutch Guyana. Within a few years, coffee farming expanded into nearby French Guiana as well.

A French convict named Mourgues played a pivotal role. He was reportedly promised freedom and pardon in exchange for introducing coffee trees to the French colonies — and he succeeded. This helped establish coffee in French Guiana shortly after its introduction in Surinam.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Coffee Context

Though Surinam no longer produces coffee, fans of early New World cultivation might enjoy FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon, delicate floral and peanut notes with rich sweetness) or Brazil (Red Bourbon, classic Brazilian chocolate and nut balance). For contrast, try Colombia Huila (traditional washed processing, black chocolate and fruit acidity). All highlight different facets of coffee’s global evolution. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.