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Coffee 101

The coffee bean itself is actually the seed of a fruit tree. The coffee tree initially produces white blossoms that last for only three days. Six to nine months later, a green berry appears. As the berry ripens, it eventually turns to a yellow and then red color. Inside each ripe, red cherry are two coffee beans (seeds) that are round or oval in shape, each with one flat side—the exception to this is the "peaberry," which occurs about ten percent of the time and produces a single bean. Each plant produces about 3,000 cherries annually (about one pound of coffee). A new coffee plant takes approximately five years to produce its first crop.

There are numerous myths and legends dating to ancient times that attempt to explain the discovery of the coffee plant. While historians may never agree on where coffee was first cultivated or who first discovered it, it is believed that the coffee plant first appeared in the regions of Yemen (South Arabia) and the Abyssinian region of Kaffa (Ethiopia). It appears that the various cultures in these regions used the coffee plant in different ways, including crushing the bean and mixing it with animal fat as a food, using the bean to make a beverage, and for medicinal purposes.

Coffee plants are grown in about 70 countries throughout the world and are found between 25 degrees north to 30 degrees south of the equator. The optimum conditions for growing coffee plants are: high elevations (2,000 to 5,000 feet), volcanic soil, moderate rainfall, temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and a balance of sunshine and shade.¹

Bean Varieties

While there are more than 50 species of coffee, two species, Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta are most prevalent. Coffea arabica is a coffee plant species that generates beans used in gourmet blends. The finest arabicas are derived from elevations above 4,000 feet, but are more often grown with great success above 2,000 feet. Even though 75 percent of world coffee production uses arabica beans, only ten percent qualify as "specialty coffee." Dunn Bros Coffee roasts only high-quality Arabica beans.

Robusta is a large, hearty plant that generates a lower grade bean. (Only 5 percent of robusta beans are regarded as excellent.) These beans are primarily used to make water soluble (instant) coffees and inexpensive blended coffees. Robusta plants are less particular about climate, altitude and terrain than arabica, and they are more resistant to diseases, making them easier to grow and maintain.

Next step: Coffee Harvesting


1. http://coffeeuniverse.com/world_coffee.html