How much do you know about the raw materials and production of coffee beans?

Coffee beans raw materials and production

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are an important raw material for making coffee. This article will introduce the origin, types, picking and processing of coffee beans.

1. The origin of coffee beans

According to historical records, the first people to discover and use coffee beans were Ethiopians. They found that the fruits of a plant growing wild in the highlands had a refreshing effect and began to eat these fruits. Later, people gradually realized that these fruits were what we call "coffee beans" today.

2. Common types

The two main varieties commonly seen on the market are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica has a smaller yield but better quality, with a softer and sweeter taste; Robusta has a larger yield and a more bitter and strong taste.

3. Harvesting and processing

Picking is an important step that affects the quality of coffee beans. Generally speaking, coffee beans need to be picked when the fruit is fully ripe, so that the flavor and aroma inside the coffee beans can be fully developed. After picking, the fruit will go through steps such as peeling, fermentation, washing and drying.

First, the peeling stage is to peel off the outer skin of the fruit. Then, during the fermentation process, the peeled pulp is placed in a specific environment for natural fermentation. This process helps to remove the remaining mucus in the pulp and is also very important for improving the taste of coffee beans.

Next comes the washing stage, which involves thoroughly rinsing away any residual matter in clean water and ensuring that the surface of the coffee beans is clean and dust-free.

The final stage is the drying stage, where the coffee beans are dried in the sun or through mechanical equipment to a suitable moisture content (usually around 10%) for storage and transportation.

4. Baking and making

After being picked and processed, the raw coffee beans need to be roasted to become the coffee we know as coffee. Roasting is the process of heating the coffee beans to a certain temperature to evaporate the moisture inside and produce chemical changes.

Different degrees of roasting will bring different flavor characteristics to coffee. Light roasting retains more original flavor and has a higher acidity; medium roasting is more balanced and has a softer taste; dark roasting is more bitter and rich.

Making a delicious cup of coffee also requires some skills and tools. Common methods include drip, espresso, French press, etc. Each method has its own specific steps and equipment requirements to achieve the best results.

Summarize

By introducing the raw materials and production process of coffee beans, we can better understand the complex and delicate craftsmanship and culture behind the world's most popular beverage. From picking to processing to the final coffee, every link has an important impact on the final taste and quality.

I hope this article can help readers better understand coffee beans and appreciate their taste and charm when enjoying coffee.