What Conditions are Required for Coffee Cultivation? What Do Coffee Trees Look Like? What are the Characteristics of Coffee Trees?

FrontStreet Coffee: Coffee Growing Conditions and Coffee Tree Characteristics

Coffee cannot be grown just anywhere. A plant that originally evolved in the tropical rainforest, coffee developed over its evolutionary history to need quiet winds, cool temperatures, shade or semi-shade, and constant humidity. As a result, it makes strict demands of its growing environment. The band-shaped region between 25 degrees north and south latitude where coffee thrives is what we call the coffee belt.

1. Temperature

Temperature requirements vary with the variety being cultivated. Arabica is the more cold-tolerant type and prefers a cool climate, needing an average annual temperature of 19-21°C.

2. Rainfall

Annual rainfall should be above 1250 mm and evenly distributed through the year. Certain amounts of rain during flowering and the development of young fruit are especially favorable for coffee growth and development.

3. Light

Coffee cannot tolerate intense light and needs appropriate shade. Excessive light inhibits growth; combined with insufficient water and fertilizer, it can cause premature aging and even death. Too much shade, on the other hand, drives excessive branch and leaf growth and produces sparse flowers and fruit, leading to very low yields.

4. Wind

Coffee prefers environments with calm winds.

5. Soil

Coffee has a well-developed root system with shallowly distributed absorbing roots, so it requires loose, fertile, well-drained loam.

What are the Characteristics of Coffee Trees?

1. Roots

Coffee roots form a conical root system.

2. Stem

The coffee stem, also called the main trunk, develops from erect branches.

3. Leaves

The leaves are simple, opposite and green, elliptical to long-elliptical in shape.

4. Flowers

The flowers are white and fragrant.

5. Fruit

The fruit is a drupe, typically containing 2 seeds, though occasionally 1 or 3 seeds are found.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Because Arabica is the most widely planted and most rewarding of the coffee species, most of what coffee lovers drink falls into it. FrontStreet Ethiopia Huakui, grown from Ethiopia's local heirloom varieties, is a natural-process coffee with a delicate floral lift and pronounced fruit - cream strawberry, mango, jackfruit, citrus and blueberry - the ripe tropical character that made it a first-place winner at the TOH green bean competition.

For the washed side of Arabica, FrontStreet Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Gedingding comes from the Gedingding cooperative and is graded G1, showing elegant white florals, citrus, orange and green tea. If you prefer the most balanced expression of the species, FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 is Typica, the classic Arabica variety, offering cream, caramel, chocolate, nuts, honey and a light fruit note in near-perfect harmony.

Finally, for the premium end of the family, FrontStreet Panama Red Label Geisha displays jasmine, citrus, peach and complex fruit over a creamy body with an oolong-tea finish.