Coffee trees and coffee beans: a journey to discover the aroma

The origin and growth environment of coffee trees

The coffee tree is a tropical plant native to the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa. It requires a warm and humid climate and a mountainous area with a moderate altitude to grow and thrive. Coffee trees usually grow between 800 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level, which helps provide stable and suitable climatic conditions.

Coffee trees have strict requirements on soil, preferring soil that is rich in organic matter, well-drained and moderately moist. In such an ideal environment, coffee trees can thrive and bear fruit.

From flower to fruit: pollination and fruiting

When coffee trees reach a certain age, they begin to produce small white or light pink flowers. These flowers have a light fragrance and bloom beautifully in the sun.

However, it is not easy to turn these flowers into delicious and fragrant coffee beans. Because each small flower has only a short window of time to be pollinated, and it needs the help of insects such as bees. This means that coffee trees must grow in an environment with enough pollinators.

Once pollinated, the flowers begin to wither and the berries begin to form. Coffee berries are red or yellow in color and are often called "cherries" because they look like tiny cherries.

From Cherry to Bean: Harvesting and Processing

When the coffee cherries are fully ripe, farmers begin picking them. This is a time-consuming and laborious process as each cherry must be manually peeled to remove the two coffee beans inside.

After being picked, coffee beans go through a series of processing steps to become the aromatic coffee we know and love. The first is the peeling and fermentation stage, during which the pulp is removed and the internal chemistry of the beans is changed through natural fermentation.

Next comes the washing or drying phase, depending on the type of coffee beans and the traditions of the region. The washing method soaks the coffee beans in water to remove the pulp and other impurities, while the drying method exposes the coffee beans to the sun to gradually dry them out.

From Bean to Aroma: Roasting and Brewing

After processing, coffee beans need to be roasted to release their most delicious aroma and flavor. Different degrees of roasting will bring coffee with different taste and flavor characteristics.

Once you've completed the roasting process, it's time to brew your coffee. Whether you use drip, espresso, or another method, the key is to master factors such as time, temperature, and ratio.

Finally, when we taste that cup of delicious coffee, we may seldom think about how much effort and process is hidden behind it. From planting, picking, processing to the final brewing, people have devoted their efforts and wisdom in every link.

Conclusion

The relationship between the coffee tree and the coffee bean is a journey of fragrance. They depend on each other in the tropical high mountain environment, undergoing a series of complex and delicate processes to finally become the beverage we love to enjoy every day.

When we taste coffee, let us also cherish the stories and efforts behind it. Whether it is growers, pickers or roasters, they have made great efforts to bring us a cup of mellow and delicious coffee.