The coffee tree is the foundation upon which the entire world of specialty coffee is built. This fruitful tree produces the beans that are roasted in coffee roasters and ground into the coffee beverage loved by millions around the world.
In this blog, we'll explore the most important aspects of the coffee tree, from its types to its growth stages, to the regions that produce the best coffee crop.
Types of coffee trees
1. Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica):
- Native to: Ethiopia.
- Characteristics: Produces beans with a complex flavor and a wide range of tastes, and is considered the highest quality in the world of specialty coffee.
- Agriculture: It requires a moderate climate and altitudes ranging from 600 to 2000 meters above sea level.
- Production: Constitutes about 60-70% of global coffee production
2. Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora):
- Native to: Central and West Africa.
- Characteristics: Its beans have a higher caffeine content and a stronger, more bitter flavor than Arabica.
- Agriculture: It grows in warmer regions and at lower elevations, and is more resistant to pests and diseases.
- Production: Constitutes about 30-40% of global coffee production.
Stages of coffee tree growth
1. Agriculture:
- Seeds: Coffee seeds are planted in special nurseries where they are nurtured until they grow into seedlings.
- Transplanting: After 6-12 months, the seedlings are transferred to open fields where they are permanently grown to later produce a high-quality coffee crop.
2. Growth:
- Height: Coffee trees can reach a height of 2.5 to 4.5 meters.
- Shade: Coffee trees need shade in their early stages of growth, so they are often planted under larger trees that provide protection from direct sunlight.
3. Flowering:
- Flowers: The tree produces fragrant white flowers after the rainy season, and these flowers turn into coffee berries.
- Flowering: Lasts from a few days to two weeks, and its timing varies depending on the climate and altitude.
4. Fruiting:
- Cherries: The resulting fruits are known as "coffee cherries," and each fruit contains two coffee beans.
- Maturity: Cherries take 6 to 11 months to ripen, depending on the variety and location.
Coffee growing areas
The coffee plant is one of the world's most economically important plants, with millions of people relying on its cultivation and trade. Understanding its life cycle and the factors that influence its quality helps us appreciate the hard work behind every cup of coffee prepared using the finest coffee brewing equipment, such as a filter or manual pour-over coffee maker (V60, Chemex, etc.).
Ultimately, we understand that every cup of specialty coffee starts with a tree and reaches us through the efforts of farmers and roasters – every roaster strives to deliver the best.