Coffee Cherry to Bean: A Perfect Transformation

The perfect transformation from coffee cherry to coffee bean

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and its main ingredient is the coffee bean. However, few people know that these fragrant and intoxicating coffee beans actually come from a fruit called the coffee cherry. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the perfect transformation process from coffee cherry to coffee bean.

1. Childhood: Flowers Bloom

A ripe coffee cherry begins with a small white flower. These flowers usually grow in warm and humid areas with moderate altitudes. When spring comes, countless white flowers bloom at the same time, shining brightly in the sun.

Each tiny bud carries all the potential and energy needed to become a perfect coffee bean in the future. However, not all buds can successfully produce fruit.

2. Youth: Fruits ripen

After several months of waiting, the flower gradually withers and is replaced by a small green ball. This is the initial form of the coffee fruit.

As time goes by, the coffee cherry gets bigger and changes color from turquoise to bright red or yellow. This means it is ripe.

3. Adulthood: Harvesting and Processing

When the coffee cherries are fully ripe, farmers begin picking them. They carefully select those coffee cherries that are full in color and healthy in appearance and put them into baskets.

Once the coffee is picked, farmers send the cherries to the processing plant for processing. In the processing plant, the coffee beans are first peeled and de-powdered. This process is usually done by machine.

4. Transformation miracle: fermentation and drying

After peeling and powdering, what remains is a substance called "wet beans". However, before wet beans can actually become coffee beans, they still need to go through an important fermentation process.

Fermentation is the process of placing the wet beans in a specific environment to continue removing the pulp and mucus. This process usually takes a few days to a week. During this period, the coffee beans will gradually become dry and begin to emit an intoxicating aroma.

After fermentation is complete, the coffee beans are transferred to the drying area for drying. This process is designed to further reduce the moisture content in the coffee beans and bring them to an ideal state.

5. Final form: roasting and grinding

Once the coffee beans are completely dry, they are ready for the final crucial step – roasting.

By controlling the temperature and time, the coffee beans are heated at high temperatures until internal chemical reactions begin to occur. These reactions not only give the coffee beans their unique aroma and taste, but also make them easier to grind and brew.

Conclusion

From the blooming of flowers to the ripening of fruits, to picking, processing, fermentation and drying, the coffee beans that have been roasted have completed a perfect transformation. This process is full of patience and skills, and requires careful care from farmers and baristas. It is because of their efforts and dedication that we can taste that cup of fragrant and intoxicating coffee.