The mystery of how coffee beans grow: Do they grow on trees or in the ground?

The mystery of how coffee beans grow: Do they grow on trees or in the ground?

Coffee, one of the most popular beverages in the world, has many interesting secrets behind it. One of the most intriguing questions is whether coffee beans grow on trees or in the ground. This question has always been controversial, and this article will delve into this interesting and complex topic.

Historical background

First, we need to know the basics of coffee plants. Coffee plants belong to the Solanaceae family and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. They usually exist as shrubs or small trees and can grow very tall.

There are many legends and stories about the origin and development of coffee beans. It is said that the first person to discover coffee beans and use them to make drinks was a shepherd in Ethiopia. He noticed that his goats became unusually active after eating some red berries and told the local monks about this strange phenomenon. The monks then took these red berries back to the monastery and began to study how to make a drink that could refresh the mind.

Coffee tree fruit

Let's take a look at whether coffee beans really bear fruit on the tree. In fact, coffee beans are picked after they bear fruit on the coffee tree. This process can be divided into several stages.

First, when the coffee plant blooms, it produces small white flowers that are usually arranged in clusters or umbrellas at the top of the branches and have a strong aroma.

Next, about a month after fertilization, the flowers gradually transform into small, green fruits. These green fruits are called "immature" coffee cherries.

Over time and with the influence of environmental conditions such as sunlight and moisture, the unripe cherries will gradually turn red and develop into fully ripe fruits. At this point they are ready to be picked.

Coffee growing in the field

However, although coffee beans are set on the tree, they do not fully ripen on the tree. Instead, farmers pick the cherries once they turn red and separate the beans from the pulp of the fruit.

This process is often called "hulling" or "husking," and farmers use special machines or do it by hand. Once the beans are separated, they go through a series of processing steps before they become the coffee beans we know as coffee.

in conclusion

To sum up, when discussing whether coffee beans are grown on trees or in the ground, we can draw the following conclusions: coffee plants bear fruit on trees as immature cherries, which gradually turn red and develop into fully ripe fruits under the right conditions. However, not everyone knows this fact: even if the fruit has turned red and fully ripe, the beans still need to go through steps such as peeling and processing before they can finally make coffee beans that can be drunk and eaten.

Therefore, we can say that coffee beans are both grown on the tree and in the ground. This process is a complex and interesting one that requires a lot of effort from farmers and manufacturers to bring us the best quality coffee beans.

Future Outlook

With the continuous pursuit of coffee quality and sustainable development, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to the coffee planting and processing process. They want to learn more about how to grow, pick and process high-quality coffee beans, and support farmers who are committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and protecting the natural environment.

By delving deeper into and understanding the mysteries of coffee bean growth, we can better appreciate and enjoy the stories and efforts behind this delicious drink.