What Plant Does Coffee Beans Come From?
Did you know that coffee beans come from a plant called Coffea arabica? This shrub is related to gardenia, coprosma, and Ixora. It has glossy green leaves and jasmine-scented white flowers along the stems that appear during summer. The plant produces a bright red fruit that matures into a dark brown. You can easily prune Coffea arabica to form a small shrub and encourage lateral branching, producing more fruit than any other plant.
Coffea arabica
A flowering plant, Coffea arabica is native to tropical Asia and southern Africa. The beans are more bitter and acidic than their European counterparts. It is thought to have originated in Ethiopia, where a goat herder first noticed that the goats ate the coffee fruits. He then shared the coffee plants with local monks, who discovered their ability to pray all night. Today, over 60% of all coffee beans are Arabica.
The tree grows to about fourteen to fifteen feet tall, although it can be pruned to reduce its height. The leaves are lance-shaped and dark green, with a lighter underside. The flowers on Coffea arabica are produced throughout the year and are typically harvested in spring. Coffee cherries and seeds are harvested during the early summer months. This makes coffee growing the perfect time to enjoy the brew!
The coffee cherry contains two seeds, one of which is the coffee bean. Each cherry has two or three coffee beans. A common mutation involves only one coffee bean in a cherry. This happens because the cherries are mistakenly called peaberry beans. The number of harvests varies by climate and variety of the tree. A single tree typically produces between one and twelve pounds of coffee annually. This makes Arabica coffee a lucrative cash crop.
Coffea robusta
Most of the world’s coffee is made from Coffea arabica beans. However, there are other varieties as well. Arabica is the most popular of these, which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of global coffee production. Brazil is the world’s largest producer, with nearly 2,460,000 tons of arabica produced in the last year alone. The Arabica variety has several key differences from its robusta cousin. For one, it contains twice as much caffeine. Furthermore, it has a higher level of sugar and lipids than robusta and contains about half as much chlorogenic acid. Generally, this type is cheaper than its Arabica cousin, but it isn’t necessarily better than arabica.
The Robusta variety is slightly rounder than arabica and is most commonly used in blends and instant coffees. The Robusta tree is more drought-resistant and less susceptible to disease, making it easier to cultivate. This variety is also easier to grow and prefers consistent temperatures of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Robusta coffee can be produced at lower altitudes than arabica and only needs about 60 inches of rain a year. It also contains about 50-60% more caffeine than arabica.
The Robusta variety has a higher yield than arabica and is less susceptible to pests. Robusta plants also produce more coffee per hectare and are less expensive to grow. Robusta is not as good as Arabica and is used for heavily flavored blends. Because Robusta is cheaper to produce than Arabica, some manufacturers mix it with Arabica to save on costs. But true coffee aficionados seek out 100% Arabica.
Coffea ‘Nana’
The Coffea ‘Nana’ is the miniature version of its bushy cousins. It grows to about 12 inches tall and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10B to 11. The small form of the coffee plant is especially well suited for windowsills and greenhouses. Unlike wide other varieties, it is self-pollinating. It should be watered once a week or every other day.
This plant is an easy-care variety that produces real coffee beans in a few years. As long as the soil remains moist, you can keep it indoors for several months. The leaves and stems of the Coffea ‘Nana’ plant should be lightly misted occasionally to keep them healthy. It is best grown in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. You can buy Coffea ‘Nana’ plants online.
Arabica coffee
If you’ve ever wondered where Arabica coffee beans come from, you’re not alone. There are several different varieties of coffee, and there’s a reason that they’re called Arabica coffee. In addition to the name, coffee berries are tiny seeds that grow within the coffee plant. These berries are picked when they’re deep red or purple and have parchment or silver skin. Once harvested, the beans undergo a series of processes to prepare them for roasting.
The Arabica coffee plant originated in the African country of Ethiopia, where the climate is the perfect environment for making it. It later spread to Yemen, where it was cultivated for coffee production. Today, arabica coffee is grown in coffee-friendly regions throughout the world. Specifically, it’s developed in tropical and high-elevation areas. In addition, some countries, such as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Central America, do not grow Arabica coffee.
Arabica coffee beans result from a process that takes several months to complete. Coffee cherries begin to grow after the flower blooms and mature after about a month. They turn from green to yellow, red, and purple before reaching maturity. The whole process takes around five to six months. During this time, coffee cherries become hard and develop into coffee beans. Because coffee is grown worldwide, it’s a significant investment to plant one or both species.
Robusta coffee
There are two different types of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. Both types have the same basic taste, but the latter is generally less expensive. Arabica coffee beans are grown in Africa and Asia. The Arabica variety has a fruitier, softer taste and is slightly less acidic. The Robusta variety is native to sub-Saharan Africa and accounts for only 1% of world production.
Both Arabica and Robusta coffee are grown from the same plant. These plants grow at least 30 feet tall and produce two coffee beans per cherry. These coffee beans have a nutty, grainy, or burnt smell when ripe. They are generally cheaper to grow and maintain. They grow best in lowland regions, and their coffee is often grown in Indonesia, Brazil, and Vietnam.
Arabica and Robusta coffee are both processed and consumed differently. Both types of coffee have different properties. Arabica coffee has higher caffeine content, but Robusta has a more bitter taste and is often used in instant coffee. Robusta coffee is also used in making iced drinks. Try Arabica if more prosperous, a more prosperous, creamier, and smoother taste. And if you try both, you might even decide to try both types.
Arabica coffee is grown at lower elevations than Robusta but has a more delicate flavor than Arabica. It has a lower caffeine content than Arabica and is more resilient to weather and pests. Robusta coffee is generally cheaper than Arabica. Robusta coffee is also grown in Africa and Vietnam and is more widely available. Robusta is a more affordable, easier-to-farm variety than Arabica.
Arabica coffee ‘Nana’
Arabica coffee ‘Nana’ is the smaller variety of this plant. The leaves are green to dark green, and the plant flowers are during the summer and autumn. The flowers smell like vanilla and have a strong floral aroma. Arabica ‘Nana’ is self-pollinating and is often sold in a tin as a houseplant. If you’d like to try this coffee, learn more about the plant and how to grow it in your own home.
The plants have different growing requirements. Arabica coffee ‘Nana’ is smaller than its cousin, Coffea arabica. The ‘Nana’ produces coffee beans earlier and is suitable for smaller indoor spaces. Both coffee plants can grow up to six feet (1.8 m) indoors. If you’re interested in increasing Arabica coffee ‘Nana,’ consider a two-liter soda bottle as your plant’s cachepot.
The Arabica coffee plant is a perennial shrub from the Subtropical Areas. It is a low-maintenance plant with attractive glossy leaves. It grows a few feet tall and produces fragrant white flowers in the spring. The coffee beans are green initially but turn dark red over eight months. Arabica coffee ‘Nana’ comes from the plant’s seed. Its seeds must be planted half an inch deep, but it is easy to grow them indoors.