The origin and collection of coffee beans: a comprehensive analysis

The origin and collection of coffee beans: a comprehensive analysis

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are the key ingredient in making coffee. In this article, we will fully analyze the origin and collection process of coffee beans.

1. Coffee Plant

Coffee beans come from coffee trees that grow in tropical and subtropical regions. There are two main common commercial varieties: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is high-quality and high-yield, but it is more fragile and susceptible to pests and diseases; Robusta is more tolerant to adverse environmental conditions, but has a relatively poor taste.

These trees usually grow between 800-2000 meters above sea level and need plenty of sunshine, moderate rainfall and a moderate range of temperature to grow well. Therefore, most of the high-quality special or single origin varieties sold on the market are grown in high altitude areas.

2. Collection of coffee beans

Coffee beans are usually harvested at maturity, when the fruit turns red or yellow. Farmers will manually or mechanically pick the coffee berries from the tree and separate the seeds (i.e. coffee beans). This process requires great care to avoid damaging the seeds.

There are two main methods for separating coffee cherries and seeds: dry and wet. The dry method involves drying whole coffee cherries in the sun until the pulp is completely dry and brittle. Mechanical equipment is then used to remove the outer skin and pulp, leaving the coffee beans inside. The wet method involves first soaking freshly harvested coffee in water for fermentation, then washing and screening to clean and separate the beans.

3. Origin and special varieties

Coffee produced in different countries and regions has its own unique flavor characteristics, so the origin is crucial to determine the quality of a high-quality coffee. Some famous coffee producing areas include Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia and Kenya.

In addition, some special varieties of coffee beans are also highly sought after. For example, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is famous for its rich taste and delicate aroma; Chartres Kopi Luwak is made from undigested coffee berries excreted in feces, which may not sound elegant but has a unique flavor.

4. Sustainable collection and certification

In recent years, more and more consumers have begun to pay attention to the impact of the coffee bean harvesting process on the environment and social responsibility. As a result, many farmers have begun to turn to sustainable farming methods and obtain sustainability certification through certification bodies such as Rainforest Alliance.

These certifications ensure that farmers follow environmentally friendly principles during the planting process and provide reasonable wages and good working conditions to workers in other links of the production chain. Buying coffee beans that are certified or support sustainable development not only allows you to taste high-quality coffee, but also makes a positive contribution to the environment and society.

in conclusion

The origin and collection of coffee beans is an important part of making a cup of quality coffee. Understanding this process can help us better appreciate and choose coffee products that suit our tastes and values. At the same time, supporting sustainable development and certification agencies is also an important measure to protect the ecological environment and improve farmers' welfare.