How Are Coffee Beans Grown: Coffee Bean Growing Conditions

Introduction to Coffee Growing Conditions

The origin of coffee trees is in Ethiopia, Africa. Botanically, coffee trees belong to the evergreen trees of the coffee subgenus in the Rubiaceae family. What we commonly call "coffee beans" are actually the seeds of the fruit produced by coffee trees. They are called coffee beans simply because of their bean-like shape.

Climate is the decisive factor in coffee cultivation. Coffee trees are only suitable for growing in tropical or subtropical regions, making the zone between 25 degrees north and south latitude the most ideal for coffee cultivation. This coffee-producing region is generally referred to as the "coffee belt" or "coffee zone."

However, not all land within this zone can cultivate excellent coffee trees. The ideal growing conditions for coffee trees are: a warm climate with temperatures between 15-25°C, annual rainfall of 1500-2000 millimeters, with rainfall timing that aligns with the flowering cycle of coffee trees. Of course, besides the coordination of seasons and rainfall, fertile soil is also essential. The most suitable soil for coffee cultivation is fertile, well-drained soil containing volcanic ash.

Coffee Belt Requirements

Coffee cannot be grown in any environment. As it originally grew in tropical rainforest conditions, coffee trees have developed habits during their evolution that require calm winds, cool temperatures, shade or semi-shade, and humid environments.

Temperature

Temperature requirements vary by coffee variety. Arabica coffee is more cold-resistant and prefers cool climates, requiring an average annual temperature of 19-21°C.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall should be above 1250 millimeters and evenly distributed. Particularly during flowering and small fruit development periods, a certain amount of rainfall is most suitable for coffee growth and development.

Light

Coffee trees cannot tolerate strong light and need appropriate shade. Excessive light inhibits growth. Combined with insufficient water and fertilizer, this can lead to premature aging and even death. However, excessive shade results in overly long branches and leaves, sparse flowers and fruits, and very low yields.

Wind

Coffee trees prefer calm wind environments.

Soil

Coffee trees have well-developed root systems with shallow absorption roots, requiring loose, fertile, well-drained loam soil.

Most coffee harvesting worldwide is done by hand, making coffee collection a labor-intensive and seasonal process. Since flowers and fruits can exist simultaneously on the same branch, the harvester's index finger and thumb become the best tools for collecting ripe berries. Scraping all fruits from a branch by hand or using automated harvesting machines cannot distinguish between ripe and unripe berries.

Coffee farmers who produce lower-grade coffee beans prefer labor-saving harvesting methods. However, this results in impure quality, diminishing coffee flavor and reducing coffee grade. In some African regions, coffee beans are harvested by shaking coffee trees to drop fruits to the ground, which are then picked up before they rot and spoil. Most regions in Brazil produce secondary-grade coffee, where harvesting involves stripping all leaves, flowers, overripe and unripe fruits from branches at once. Coffee trees subjected to such damage require two years to recover.

Knowledge Point: Although coffee beans are called "beans," they are actually the seeds of the fruit from Rubiaceae plants (coffee trees).

In Summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research specialty shop that enjoys sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unconditional sharing is aimed at helping more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three high-discount coffee events every month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to enable more friends to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for 6 years!

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