Coffee beans: the journey from tree to cup

Coffee bean cultivation

The journey of coffee beans begins on the tree. They grow in tropical regions and require suitable climate and soil conditions. Generally speaking, coffee trees need plenty of sunlight and moderate rainfall to thrive. Farmers will choose suitable plots to plant coffee trees and manage them carefully.

Fruit ripening and picking

When coffee trees are full of red or purple berries, it means they are ripe. It is time to pick them. Farmers will carefully select the best and fullest berries and peel them off by hand or with tools.

Peeling and fermentation

Once picked, coffee beans are still wrapped in an outer pulp. To remove this pulp, farmers place them in tanks of water for a soaking and fermentation process. This process can take several days, during which time the outer pulp naturally breaks down and falls off.

Sun drying and baking

After the fermentation process, the coffee beans need to be dried to remove excess moisture. Farmers will spread them out in the sun, letting the natural wind and sun help them dry. This process may take several days or even longer.

Once the coffee beans are completely dry, they are ready to be roasted. This is a critical step because different degrees of roasting produce coffee beans with different flavors and aromas. Farmers or professionals will determine the best roasting degree based on their understanding of coffee flavor and market demand.

Packaging and Shipping

Once roasted, the coffee beans are packaged and ready to be shipped around the world. The packaging is usually made of special materials to maintain freshness and prevent oxidation. They will then be shipped to retailers, wholesalers or directly to consumers.

On-site processing and brewing

When we buy coffee beans, we can take them home for on-site processing and brewing. This process includes grinding the coffee beans, choosing the right brewing method, and controlling factors such as water temperature and soaking time. In the end, we can taste the aroma journey from the tree to the cup.

Conclusion

The journey of coffee beans from the tree to the cup is full of hard work and careful labor. Planting, picking, processing, transportation and finally brewing, each link has an important impact on the quality of coffee beans. It is these efforts that allow us to enjoy a cup of fragrant and delicious coffee.