The coffee bean production process: from cultivation to roasting

The coffee bean production process: from cultivation to roasting

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are the key raw material for making coffee. When enjoying delicious coffee, have you ever wondered how these fragrant beans are made? This article will take you through the entire process from cultivation to roasting.

1. Coffee plant cultivation and management

First of all, to obtain high-quality coffee beans, you need to grow healthy, organic and sustainable coffee plants. Generally speaking, high-quality coffee comes from areas with higher altitudes, stable climates and fertile soil.

During the planting phase, farmers need to carefully manage and protect these seedlings. They will regularly prune branches, weed, fertilize and irrigate. In addition, pest control is required before the fruits mature.

2. Vertical harvesting and processing

When the coffee plants' berries are ripe, farmers harvest them vertically, meaning they only pick the ripe berries instead of picking the whole plant at once.

After harvesting, coffee beans need to be processed to get them into a usable form. There are two main processing methods: dry and wet.

3. Dry treatment

In the dry process, farmers place freshly harvested coffee cherries in the sun to dry. They turn the beans regularly to ensure even exposure and prevent mold.

Once the beans are completely dry, farmers can extract the coffee beans inside by removing the shells and skins.

4. Wet treatment

Unlike the dry method, in the wet process, farmers first need to soak the freshly harvested coffee cherries in water. This helps separate the good and bad qualities and the under-ripe or over-ripe ones.

Next, in the washing process, the machine will help remove the pulp, and then the coffee beans will be placed in water for fermentation. This process helps to remove the mucus on the surface of the beans and increase the flavor of the coffee.

Finally, the farmers rinse the beans with clean water and dry them for further processing.

5. Coffee Bean Roasting

Roasting is a necessary step to produce coffee with a strong aroma and rich taste. During the roasting process, the green beans undergo chemical and physical changes that produce specific flavors and aromas.

First, farmers put the dried coffee beans into the roaster. As the temperature gradually rises, the internal moisture begins to evaporate and pressure is generated. Over time, the originally green or yellow coffee beans will gradually turn brown or black.

Different degrees and times of roasting can bring different tastes and flavor characteristics. For example, light roasting can retain more original flavors, while dark roasting can bring richer caramel and chocolate flavors.

6. Storage and grinding of coffee beans

Once the coffee beans have completed the roasting process, they need to be properly stored to maintain their freshness and quality. It is best to store the coffee beans in an airtight container away from sunlight, moisture, and heat.

Before brewing, coffee beans need to be ground into powder. Different brewing methods require different coarseness of coffee powder. For example, a French press pot requires coarser particles; while espresso requires finer particles.

Conclusion

From cultivation to roasting, each step has an important impact on the final taste and flavor. Only after careful planting, handling and processing can high-quality and delicious coffee beans be produced. I hope that through this article you will have a deeper understanding of the production process and can better enjoy your favorite cup of fragrant coffee!