| Considering that coffee beans are grown in over 70 | | | | species. |
| countries across the globe, it is amazing how the | | | | Coffee trees spend their first five years or so |
| right conditions for growing quality beans exist in such | | | | reaching maturity. The first crop, which only yields |
| a narrow range. It is also amazing how small the total | | | | about two pounds of coffee, usually does not occur |
| output of actual weight is when compared to other | | | | until that time. Each pound equals about 1,000 beans |
| agricultural commodities. | | | | which must be hand picked and sorted. This is the |
| Actually, the word coffee bean is a bit of a | | | | main reason coffee is typically high priced. |
| misnomer. The part of the plant that is roasted and | | | | You may be surprised to learn that coffee trees |
| turned into the drink we admire is actually a seed. | | | | blossom over different periods based on location. |
| The coffee tree can grow as tall as twenty feet or | | | | Further from the equator in areas of Mexico, for |
| higher and produces a fruit. Inside the fruit is the pit | | | | example, the trees will be in bloom for up to eight |
| or seed. Maybe it should have been termed a coffee | | | | weeks. Conversely, in areas nearer the equator, the |
| seed instead? | | | | trees will be in blossom over a much longer period |
| The optimal coffee growing regions of the world lie | | | | which produces a longer harvest period. Picking the |
| within twenty-five degrees latitude north and south | | | | mature berries, or fruit, requires skilled workers |
| of the equator. Within these regions the optimal | | | | looking at each berry daily. |
| temperatures range from 60 to 70 degrees | | | | From first blossom to complete harvest the total |
| Fahrenheit. In addition, the optimal rainfall is six inches | | | | time frame is up to nine months depending on |
| a month (or more). | | | | meteorological factors. The coffee trees continue this |
| Other coffee growing requirements include a well | | | | cycle every year during their lifespan of about |
| drained, loamy soil and the high humidity produced by | | | | twenty to twenty-five years. |
| the abundant rainfall and mists especially prevalent | | | | Some of the regions where coffee is grown are |
| above the 3500 feet elevation levels. Because lower | | | | very inaccessible. The conditions are harsh to say the |
| light levels are also preferred, coffee is often grown | | | | least. Nonetheless, each year thousands of pounds of |
| in shade provided by shelter or natural environmental | | | | coffee are brought down, processed, and delivered |
| features. | | | | to our homes or markets. |
| The majority of coffee grown is the coffea | | | | The next time you reach for a cup of coffee, |
| canephora, or robusta, variety. Robusta can be | | | | consider the long journey it has taken to reach you. |
| grown easier at lower elevations and possesses | | | | Growing coffee is an amazing process that makes |
| more disease resistance than other types. However, | | | | the price of each cup seem not so expensive after |
| really good gourmet coffees are grown at high | | | | all! |
| altitudes and includes varieties of the coffea aribica | | | | |