Philippines coffee regions

 

It's impossible to cover all the coffee trees that are growing, but I'll make an effort to discuss each region of the Philippine islands.

From Northern Luzon to Sulu Island - all the regions and islands that grow coffee in the Philippines.

Greater Luzon

The terrain on Luzon's island is diverse, making it ideal for growing Robusta and Catimor coffees.

From the narrow plains of Ilocos Sur, surrounded by the Cordillera range and the South China Sea. The Sierra Madre mountain range in Bulacan is home to fertile lowlands and highlands. Are home to a couple of coffee farms in the north of Luzon. The steep mountains and hills dotted valleys and plains of Nueva Vizcaya are what made this province a major producer of crops, including coffee.

In northern Luzon, there is a mountainous region that encompasses Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Abra, as well as the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Calabarson

The five constituent provinces located south of the National Capital Region and bordering various bodies of water were the names of this region. Coffee growing areas are scattered in various provinces. Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica coffees thrive in the ideal climate.

Batangas

Batangas has long been considered the “coffee capital of the Philippines.”

It is mainly known for growing the rare variety Coffea liberica, also known locally as Kapeng Barako. The latter term means “masculinity”, which fully corresponds to its taste characteristics.

Although Barako is associated with older generations, a new wave of coffee lovers and coffee shop owners is bringing back its glory days. Starting to grow this amazing Philippine variety.

Benguet

Located in the highlands of the Cordillera mountain range. Benguet's mountainous climate and rich soils allow it to produce high quality Arabica coffee.

The locals farm without any pesticides, producing coffee with the characteristics of apricot, lemongrass and pomelo.

If you're craving hot coffee in the cold mountains, a trip to Benguet will do the trick.

Sagada

Sagada is slowly becoming the Arabica capital of the Philippines. Characterized by its bittersweet flavor and nutty notes. Sagada coffee and its success are linked to the culture of local farmers and municipal laws: rituals such as planting only before the full moon and requiring every family to plant coffee trees. Isn't it amazing?

Kalinga

The variety grown in Kalinga is known as Kalinga Brew, made exclusively from Robusta beans. In the village of Buscalan locals adhere to only one correct method of preparing coffee: by “cooking” ground coffee in boiling water with brown sugar.

Sulu 

In the southern Philippines is the Sulu Archipelago, with fertile land that is home to robusta coffee plantations. This homemade specialty coffee is known to the Tausug people as Kahawa Sug, which means "Sulu coffee" and is not too bitter or sour.

Coffee is an integral part of the Tausug lifestyle, usually as an accompaniment to snacks or local dishes. It is also traditionally served with an additional empty cup so that the hot coffee can be poured back and forth. To cool it down and to enhance  flavor. Traditionally, coffee is drunk before meals.

Visayas

Both Arabica and Robusta can thrive in the Visayas.

For instance, the province of Bohol with its calcareous soils.

Negros - The volcanic soil makes it ideal for growing coffee, and the land includes lowland lowlands and mountain ranges on the coast.

Mimaropa

The name is derived from the names of Mindoro, Marinduq, Romblon, and Palawan provinces. Excelsa and Robusta coffee production has shown promise in two provinces.

Sultan Kudarat

The province of Sultan Kudarat is the key to coffee production. The Mindanao region actually produces 70% of the Philippines' annual coffee production. 

And it becomes the next coffee capital of the country. By growing high-quality grains, such varieties as Arabica and Robusta.

The highlands of the province of Cotabato are ideal for growing top quality Arabica beans.

Mount Matutum in South Cotabato is famous for its civet coffee, where civet roam freely and feed on ripe coffee berries.

Bukidnon

Northern Mindanao and its fleshy fruits of the coffee tree are not the only pride of this province. Traveling along the roads of Bukidnon, one can marvel at its endless hills and majestic mountains.

It is here that Arabica and Robusta varieties are grown, which won the country's first "quality of green coffee" competition. The Benedictine monks here produce a coffee known as the "Monk's Blend".

Davao

The Davao region is known for its fertile lands and favorable climate. Coffee grown in Davao is full of flavour. Here you can try varieties with different taste characteristics: from nuts, chocolate to berry.

Specialty coffee producers are thriving here.

Cavite

The varieties are grown in Cavite and their bean combination produces what is locally called the Pahimis mix. Cavite also has the Pahimis festival, a celebration of thanksgiving for the abundant harvest of coffee beans.

The coffee capital of the Philippines was once the city of Amadeo in Cavite, especially for its production of the Robusta variety.

Ilocos

The Spanish colonial city of Ilocos has a well-preserved history. Expect high quality of local coffee trees. The 3rd Philippine Coffee Quality Competition saw the Robusta variety grown here win first place.

Iloilo

The forests and mountains of Iloilo province produce high-quality coffee beans, which are delivered to local coffees. Iloilo's indigenous Athi tribe communities have become one of the most prominent producers in the province.