# Terroir

/tɛˈrwɑːr/ (US) · /tɛˈrwɑː/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/terroir
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

a specific natural environment including soil, climate, and geography that gives a crop like coffee its unique flavor and characteristics

For teachers: the complete set of environmental factors, including soil chemistry, altitude, and climate, that contribute to the unique sensory profile of a specific agricultural product.

## Examples

- The coffee from this farm has a special taste because of its unique terroir.
- Many roasters believe that the terroir of the Ethiopian highlands is responsible for the floral notes in their beans.
- The cupping session highlighted how the specific terroir of the volcanic hillside imparted a distinct mineral acidity to the Gesha variety.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.