Coffee beans and coffee cherries: the difference in form

Coffee beans and coffee cherries: the difference in form

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and there are two main players in its production process: coffee beans and coffee cherries. Although they are both extracted from the same plant, there are obvious differences in their forms. This article will focus on these two and explore their differences in form.

1. Coffee Beans

First, let's take a look at coffee beans. As the name suggests, coffee beans refer to the seeds that are picked from the plant and processed. These seeds usually appear in a flat oval shape and have a smooth and hard outer surface to a certain extent.

When we look closely at a whole coffee bean, we can find that it usually consists of two main parts: the shell and the kernel. The shell is the outermost layer and covers the entire surface of the seed. It is brown or black when ripe; while the kernel is located under the shell and is surrounded by a thin and hard membrane.

The color and size of coffee beans can vary depending on factors such as the variety, growing environment, and processing methods. Generally speaking, they can range from light yellow to dark brown and are usually small, about half the size of regular beans.

2. Coffee Cherry

In contrast to coffee beans, coffee cherries refer to the entire plant fruit. When the coffee plant matures, it produces red or yellow cherries that resemble cherries. These cherries are brightly colored and have a soft, smooth surface.

In each coffee cherry, we can find two main parts: the skin, which is the thick outer shell covering the entire surface of the fruit and takes on a bright and vivid color when ripe; and the core, which is located under the skin and is surrounded by a sticky and sweet juice.

Coffee cherries are larger, rounder, and generally juicier than coffee beans. They are also brighter in color, ranging from bright red to golden yellow.

3. The relationship between coffee beans and coffee cherries

There is a close relationship between coffee beans and coffee cherries. In fact, coffee beans are the seeds extracted from ripe coffee cherries. In the production process, people first process the whole coffee cherries after picking, remove the outer skin and core, and dry the remaining part.

Next, a series of processing steps (such as fermentation, washing, roasting, etc.) result in the coffee beans that we baristas know and love. These beans can be used to make a variety of different types and flavors of coffee.

in conclusion

In summary, in terms of morphology, there are obvious differences between coffee beans and coffee cherries. The former refers to the seeds obtained after processing from plant seeds and has a flat oval shape, a smooth and hard outer surface, and two main parts (shell and kernel); while the latter refers to the complete plant fruit, which is round, juicy, and brightly colored.

However, there is also a close relationship between the coffee bean and the coffee cherry. The coffee bean is the seed extracted from the ripe coffee cherry and goes through a series of processing steps to finally get the coffee bean we know and love.

Whether it’s the seed or the whole fruit, coffee brings us great flavor and enjoyment. By understanding the differences in their forms, we can better understand and appreciate this fascinating and diverse beverage.