Coffee beans: the precious seeds of a plant

Coffee beans: the precious seeds of a plant

Coffee beans are a precious plant seed. They are one of the most popular drinks in our daily life. Every morning, when we smell the rich aroma of coffee, we feel refreshed. But have you ever thought about what kind of story is hidden behind this delicious cup? Let's explore the wonderful world behind coffee beans.

Origin and History

According to archaeologists, the earliest record of using coffee beans to make drinks can be traced back to the 9th century AD. At that time, people in the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa ground wild coffee beans and brewed them into drinks with water. As time went by and exchanges expanded, people began to realize that this small seed contained huge business opportunities.

In the early 15th century, Arab merchants brought the first batch of coffee trees grown in Uganda (now Kenya) and Ethiopia to Yemen. Subsequently, coffee beans began to be widely planted in the Arabian Peninsula and became an important source of income for the local people.

From Yemen, coffee culture spread to Egypt, Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. In these places, people began to build special coffee houses, which became places for social and cultural exchanges. Gradually, coffee beans were introduced to Europe and quickly became popular.

Planting and harvesting

Nowadays, coffee trees are grown in many countries around the world. These countries include Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, etc. But no matter which country, the planting and picking process requires careful care.

First of all, it is crucial to choose the right soil for cultivation under suitable climatic conditions. Generally speaking, high altitude areas and warm and humid climates are best for coffee growth.

Secondly, planting seeds and nurturing seedlings on the farm until they grow and mature requires patience and care. Coffee trees usually take 3 to 5 years to start bearing fruit.

When the coffee trees are ripe, farmers pick each coffee bean by hand. This process is very time-consuming and laborious, because only ripe berries can provide the best taste and aroma.

Processing and baking

Once picked, coffee beans need to go through a series of processing steps to remove the pulp and skin. The most common method is to soak it in water for fermentation and clean the surface of the beans by washing or drying.

Next, the cleaned coffee beans are sent to the roasting plant for processing. Here, they are placed in large rotating machines for drying and roasting. Different degrees of roasting will produce coffee with different taste and aroma characteristics.

Quality and classification

Quality evaluation is one of the most important steps to ensure high-quality coffee for sale. Professional tasters judge the quality of coffee by evaluating various factors such as flavor, aroma, acidity, etc.

Coffee beans are classified into different grades based on their origin and processing methods. The most common classification is based on origin and altitude. For example, Arabica coffee beans are generally considered to be of high quality.

Grinding and Brewing

After we buy freshly roasted coffee beans, we can grind them into powder and brew them into drinks. This process requires some skills and experience to achieve the best taste.

First, when choosing the right grind size, you need to consider what kind of brewing equipment you will be using. For equipment such as a drip machine or French press, a finer particle size is appropriate, while for equipment such as an espresso machine or a pour-over kettle, a coarser particle size is required.

Secondly, it is also very important to control the water temperature, water volume and time during the brewing process. These factors will directly affect whether the resulting coffee drink has a rich and strong taste.

Conclusion

By understanding the origin, cultivation, processing and brewing of coffee beans, we can better appreciate and enjoy this delicious drink. There is a lot of effort and passion behind coffee beans, which are the precious seeds of a plant.