Coffee is one of the most consumed drinks in the world, with a tradition that dates back centuries. But have you ever wondered how a cup of coffee gets to your table? The process of growing, harvesting and processing coffee beans is a painstaking task that involves farmers from all over the world. In this post, we will explore each stage of this exciting journey from the coffee bush to your morning cup of coffee.
1. Coffee Cultivation
The process begins with planting coffee beans in nurseries. The beans are planted in small pots and then transplanted into the field when the seedlings are about 8 to 12 weeks old. Coffee plants need a specific environment to grow, including proper altitudes, temperature, shade, and amount of rainfall. Most coffee plantations are located in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Once planted, coffee plants require constant care, including pruning, pest and disease control, and proper watering. Coffee plants can take several years to reach full maturity and begin producing fruits, which are the coffee beans we all know.
2. Coffee Harvest
Coffee harvesting is a manual and laborious process that generally takes place once a year, although it can vary depending on the region and type of coffee. Harvesting is done by selecting the ripe beans, which have a bright red color, and leaving the green beans on the plant to mature. Farmers typically use a selective picking method, meaning they must pick the ripe beans one by one, ensuring the best quality of coffee.
There is also a mechanical harvesting method that is faster but less precise, as it collects all the beans, ripe or not. However, this method is used on larger plantations where labor is scarce.
3. Coffee Processing
Once the coffee beans have been harvested, the processing process begins. There are two main processing methods: dry and wet.
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Dry Processing : In this method, the beans are spread in the sun on patios or African beds. This allows the beans to dry slowly and the pulp to be released. The beans are turned regularly to ensure they dry evenly. After several days, the coffee beans are ready for storage.
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Wet Processing : In this method, the beans are soaked in water to remove the pulp before being dried. This process is more common in regions with humid climates. After pulping, the beans are dried in the sun or in mechanical dryers.
After completing the drying process, the coffee beans are threshed and separated into different sizes and qualities. They are then packed in bags for export nationally or internationally.
Conclusion
Coffee is much more than a drink that wakes us up in the morning. Its growing, harvesting and processing process is an art that involves thousands of farmers and producers around the world. From the slopes of the mountains to your cup, each coffee bean goes through an amazing journey. The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, think about all the work that goes into each sip and savor the complexity of this delicious beverage. Coffee is a true gift of nature and human effort. Health!