Coffee beans: a representative of tropical cash crops

Coffee beans: a representative of tropical cash crops

Coffee beans are an important tropical cash crop with a wide range of applications and consumer markets. Not only is it an essential drink for many people in their daily lives, it is also an important part of the global agricultural industry chain. This article will explore the importance of coffee beans in tropical regions from the perspectives of history, cultivation, processing, and markets.

history

Coffee beans originated in eastern Africa. According to archaeologists, they were first used by humans in the 15th century BC. With the development of trade and colonial expansion, coffee beans gradually spread to Asia, Europe, America and other places, and became one of the main competitors in the global tea beverage market.

From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, driven by technological progress and the development of transportation, coffee production grew rapidly and a modern planting and processing system was formed. Currently, Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and other countries are the world's major coffee producers.

Planting

Coffee beans are a tropical crop that has certain requirements for climate and soil conditions. They usually grow in highland areas between 800 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level, where the temperature, rainfall and sunshine time are very suitable for the growth of coffee trees.

Coffee trees need plenty of sunlight and water to maintain healthy growth. During the planting process, farmers need to pay close attention to climate change and take corresponding measures to protect coffee trees from natural disasters such as drought and insect pests.

Processing

Once harvested, coffee beans go through several processing steps before they become a product that is ready for consumers. The first is the peeling and fermentation phase, during which the pulp is removed and fermented to remove residual matter.

Next comes the drying and roasting stage, during which the moist beans containing pectin are exposed to the sun to remove moisture. Finally, the coffee beans are roasted to varying degrees of color and flavor.

market

Coffee beans are one of the most important commodities in the global tea beverage market. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, the world consumes about 1.4 trillion cups of coffee each year, with Brazil, the United States and Germany being the largest consumer markets.

In addition, as people's demand for healthy lifestyles and high-quality food increases, specialty coffees such as Arabica and Robusta are becoming more and more popular. These specialty coffees are usually carefully selected, picked and processed at the origin, and have higher prices and unique tastes.

in conclusion

As one of the representatives of tropical cash crops, coffee beans play an important role in the global agricultural industry chain. It not only provides consumers with a rich and diverse selection of beverages, but also creates employment opportunities and promotes economic growth in many developing countries.

However, the coffee industry also faces some challenges, such as climate change, pests and diseases, and market competition. In order to maintain the sustainable development of the coffee industry, farmers and the government need to work together to take measures to improve planting techniques, improve farmers' income, and strengthen environmental protection.

In short, coffee beans, as a representative of tropical cash crops, play an important role in the global tea beverage market. By in-depth knowledge of its history, planting, processing and market, we can better appreciate and enjoy the fun brought by this delicious drink.