What are the raw materials of coffee beans?

Coffee beans raw materials

Coffee beans are the main ingredient for making coffee in coffee shops. They are the seeds picked from the coffee tree. In this article, we will explore the ingredients of coffee beans and related information.

1. Coffee Tree

First, let's take a look at the coffee plant that produces coffee beans - the coffee tree. Coffee trees belong to the Rubiaceae family and are mainly distributed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They usually grow at high altitudes and require moderate sunlight and rainfall.

There are two main species of coffee trees: Arabica and Robusta. The Arabica variety is considered high quality, delicate and high in acidity, while Robusta has a stronger, more bitter and richer flavor.

2. Ercai fruit

When the berries are ripe, they turn red or purple and have a sweet aroma. That’s when farmers start picking the beans.

The berries usually contain two seeds, also known as coffee beans, which are enclosed in pulp, which is covered by a layer of mucilage called "mucilage".

3. Coffee Bean Processing

Once picked, coffee beans need to go through a series of processing steps before they become usable raw materials.

The first step is to remove the sticky skin. Farmers usually soak the picked choy fruits in a tank and then remove the sticky skin mechanically or manually. This process is called "depulping".

Next comes fermentation and washing. After shelling, the remaining parts still have some residual substances and mucus attached. In order to clean them and improve the quality, farmers will ferment the coffee beans in tanks and wash them repeatedly with water.

The final step is drying and sorting. After fermentation and washing, the beans need to be dried in the sun. Farmers usually spread them out on large platforms, turning them regularly to ensure even drying. Once completely dry, the beans are sorted to remove any remaining impurities.

4. Classification of coffee beans

Coffee beans can be divided into several varieties and grades depending on the processing method and origin.

First, they are classified according to the different processing methods. There are three main types: natural, semi-washed and washed. Natural processing is the most traditional and simplest method, which is to dry the fruits directly after picking; semi-washed processing is fermented, cleaned and partially dried after shelling; and washed processing requires full fermentation, cleaning and thorough drying.

The second is classification based on origin. Coffee beans are produced all over the world, with Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and Indonesia being the main producing countries.

5. Conclusion

In summary, coffee beans are an indispensable raw material in the process of making coffee. They come from the berries on the coffee tree and go through a series of processing steps before they become a usable product. By understanding this information, we can better appreciate and understand the efforts and craftsmanship behind every cup of fragrant and delicious coffee.