Coffee: It is a Seed not a Bean

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Coffee: It is a Seed not a Bean

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Written by Peter Wilson

Saturday, 26 April 2008

by PeterWilson

Growing coffee requires specific conditions and does not allow very much room for alteration within the environment. The output for coffee is quite minimal. This can be surprising to most because it is grown on a tree that is found in over 70 countries. However, coffee is also a bit misleading. The coffee bean is actually not a bean at all, it is a seed. The seed is found in the center of a fruit. The trees that the fruit is grown on can reach almost between twenty and forty-five feet. The seeds in the fruit are typically found in a pair. However, there are a couple specific varieties that do only produce a single seed. The seed is quite similar looking to a cranberry. There is a sweet pulp and then this is covered by a membrane. The membrane is called a silverskin.

Almost all of the world's coffee is grown within twenty five degrees north and twenty five degrees south of the equator. The appropriate temperature for coffee to grow is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The ultimate amount of rainfall for the coffee is also about six inches a month or more.

Coffee should also be grown at over 3000 feet for high quality coffee. At this height the soil should be loamy and well draining. However, it is also important to have high humidity combined with a sufficient amount of cloud and mist. When the oxygen level is lower this allows the trees a longer period of time to mature. Most gourmet coffees are made with Arabica beans. These beans are the higher quality beans. However, it is quite common for coffee companies to use robusta beans or coffea canephora. Both of these are grown at lower elevations, but provide more disease resistance. They are considered to be a lower quality bean though.

Unlike grapes, which like lots of hot sun, and then produce the best wine; coffee is best with some wind and little light. This is often provided by intentionally planting coffee trees indoors. Once a tree has been planted it takes about five years until it can be used for crop. A single tree will produce about two pounds of coffee. Two pounds of coffee is around 2,000 beans. The beans are typically manually picked to ensure the highest quality beans are being used. The pickers learn to determine what a high quality bean is. Harvesting coffee has been around for a really long time and therefore, it is a tradition that should be learned and appreciated.

The coffee tree is in close resemblance to the Jasmine with this broad dark green leaves and flower. The trees that are found in Brazil and Mexico produce flowers between a six and eight week time frame. However, the trees that grow closer to the equator can produce flowers and blossoms while mature berries are growing as well. A tree can be harvested for the life of a tree which is around twenty years. The trees will blossom up to nine months depending on the environment. A good cultivation is thought be between about 6,500 pounds and almost 9,000 pounds in a hectare. Growers are hopeful for this kind of output. This is due to the new technology that is available. The coffee beans that are found in the inaccessible areas are brought down to be processed. Coffee is the world's second largest commodity. There is a process, an art, and an adventure behind every cup of coffee. Remember this next time your take a sip of your favorite java.

About the Author:

Peter Wilson routinely produces summaries on things similar to keurig coffee machine. You can learn about his publications on keurig one cup coffee maker and keurig coffee maker here.