How Coffee Beans are Grown
by: Mike Chronos
Coffee is a brewed drink made from roasted seeds or coffee beans of the coffee plant. The plant originated in Africa but is now grown in over 70 countries. The beans are produced by different species of the small, evergreen bush of the genus Coffea.
The three main varieties of the coffee plant are Coffea Arabica, Coffea Robusta and Coffea Liberica. This plant has dark green leaves and fragrant, white flowers. The coffee bean begins as a green berry and ripens to a deep red color after about eight months.
Two of the most commonly grown are the highly regarded Coffea Arabica and the robusta form of the hardier Coffea Canephora that is resistant to the devastating coffee leaf rust. Both are cultivated mainly in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa.
Of the two, arabica coffee is often highly regarded than robusta coffee since the later is bitter and has less flavor. Because of this, about three-quarters of coffee cultivated worldwide are arabica. However, robusta is less susceptible to disease than arabica and can be cultivated in lower altitudes and warmer climates - conditions where arabica will not thrive.
Robusta coffee also has about 4,050 percent more caffeine than arabica. This explains why it is used as a cheaper alternative to arabica in many commercial coffee blends. However, good quality robusta beans are used in some espresso blends to provide a full-bodied taste and a better foam head known as crema.
Coffee plants need a tropical environment to survive. They thrive in warm weather and a moist climate with a yearly rainfall of at least 59 inches. Modern coffee beans are named after the place where they are grown. Top coffee producers include Brazil, Colombia, India and Indonesia.
Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed and dried. The seeds are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor. These are ground and brewed to create coffee. Looking for the finest coffee in the world? For a unique coffee experience, visit http://www.chronoscoffee.com/.
About The Author
Coffee lover and expert. Traveling the world to find the best coffee blends, beans, and delivering them back home. Check out my site to find some of the best coffee blends on the planet. ChronosCoffee.com
The author invites you to visit:
http://www.chronoscoffee.com
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/food_and_drink/article_2467.shtml
