A noble plant
The coffee tree itself is a noble plant
Of the more than 80 varieties of coffee tree in existence, only two are of any consequence today:
55 % of world coffee production derive from trees of the “coffea arabica“ variety. This variety thrives particularly well in plantations between 600 and 2000 m above sea level, which can be found mainly in central and South America, as well as along the east coast of Africa. Arabica coffee beans ripen for seven to eight months, and are normally processed after being washed.
Arabica coffee is very aromatic and mild, and has a rounded, pleasant taste.
“Coffea robusta“ accounts for roughly 45 % of world coffee production. It grows faster, gives a greater yield, and – as the name suggests – is more robust against heat and pests than is arabica. Robusta coffee is mainly grown in plantations below 600 m above sea level, particularly in tropical regions. Robusta coffee beans ripen for nine to eleven months, and are mostly processed without being washed.
Robusta coffee is slightly angular and a little more coarse to the taste. Thus it is particularly suited for espresso blends.
Coffee is an «Evergreen»
The evergreen coffee plant has elongated, dark green leaves. In some of the larger countries of production, one may, at any given point in the year, find a region of the country that is in full bloom. This is the case, for example, in Colombia, where the climatic conditions vary greatly according to the region.
The coffee tree with its beautiful white coffee flowers. All stages of development from the blossom to the ripe, deep red cherries on the same branch.
Coffee growing
Coffee grows all around the world
The coffee tree is a tropical plant which thrives in countries with a hot (average temperature between 18 and 22°C) and humid climate. Coffee is cultivated in around 90 different countries. The main growing areas form a belt reaching to latitude 24 north and south of the equator, in other words, they are almost exactly the zone between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. In these tropical regions, the coffee tree grows best between 600 m and 1200 m above sea level. Top-grade highland beans, which grow at between 1600 m and 2000 m above sea level, produce what is known as “strictly high grown” coffee.
From seed to tree
From seed to tree: a miracle of nature
Coffee cherries generally contain two coffee beans. Only the very best coffee cherries are sorted out and separated from their pulp so that they can begin to sprout in the ground.
The small coffee seedlings begin to sprout after approx. 10 weeks. Once they have reached a height of 5 to 10 cm they are planted individually into high pots or plastic bags, and further nurtured in tree nurseries.
After some 4 to 5 months, the plants have grown to a height of roughly 30 to 40 cm, and are now transferred to the plantations, where they grow into young trees.
Coffee trees blossom for the first time in their third year. They generally produce a small harvest in their fourth year of life. By the years 5 to 7, they are yielding a normal harvest.
The same rules apply to the financial side: coffee planters have to make big investments during the first few years, before they can reap the full financial rewards of their labour.