Ever wondered where your morning cup of coffee comes from? Lets take a look at the plant, beans and flowers of exceptional and premium coffee plants that bring joy and freshness to your mornings.
The Plant
Coffee beans are actually collected from a tropical plant called “Coffea”, which can grow up to 10 meters tall when growing in the wild. This plant produces small and white flowers which eventually develops into coffee cherries. These cherries contain seeds known as “Coffee Beans”.
Climates with steady temperature, consistent rainfall and high humidity are preferred by coffee plants. They grow best in regions such as central and south America, Africa and Asia. A region around equator called “coffee belt” provides perfect climate for coffee cultivation. Coffee plants flourish in region of coffee belt.
The Bean:
Coffee beans are actually seeds of coffee cherry which is the fruit of coffee plant. Beans vary in size, with larger beans often considered of higher quality. Raw beans have greenish smooth texture and grassy, vegetal smell. Roasted coffee beans develop brownish color and complex aromas, including notes of chocolate, caramel, fruit, and nuts. There are 2 species of coffee beans:
- Arabica beans: They have smooth mild flavor and lower caffeine content. They require specific growing conditions.
- Robusta Beans: They have strong, bitter flavor and high caffeine content. They are easier to cultivate in diverse conditions as they are more resistant to pests and diseases.
The Flower:
The coffee plant produces dainty and incredibly fragrant flowers that grow in clusters along the branches. Coffee flowers are small and delicate, typically measuring about 1-2 centimeters in diameter. They are star-shaped with five white petals. Coffee flowers usually bloom shortly after the rainy season. Blooming typically occurs once or twice a year, depending on the climate and specific variety of coffee plant. Each flower blooms for just a short time, generally only one to two days.
After the flowers bloom, they are pollinated, leading to development of coffee cherries. Once the cherries are ripe, they are harvested either by hand-picking or mechanical means. The cherries undergo processing to extract the beans.
