The origin of coffee beans: a journey through animal poop

The origin of coffee beans: a journey through animal poop

Coffee beans are one of the most popular drinks in the world. Hundreds of millions of people enjoy this fragrant drink every day. However, have you ever wondered how coffee beans are produced and developed? Let us embark on an interesting and magical journey with curiosity to explore the amazing stories hidden behind coffee beans.

First stop: African savannah

We first came to the African savannah, which is believed to be the place where coffee beans first appeared and were cultivated. According to archaeologists, there is evidence of the cultivation and consumption of coffee berries (that is, coffee beans) in southern Ethiopia about 1,200 years ago.

So the question is, how did people at that time discover and use this precious and valuable seed? The answer lies in wild animals.

Stop 2: Wild Animals and Digestive System

In the African savannah, there is a small bird called the coffee fruit bird. These birds like to eat coffee berries. They will fly to the coffee tree and swallow the ripe berries.

However, this is just the beginning. As the birds digest their food, their stomach juices work a magic trick: they dissolve the pulp and the mucus that surrounds the bean. But the bean itself remains undigested.

Stop 3: Miracles in Animal Poop

Birds become spreaders when they are able to excrete undigested coffee beans, which are usually scattered on the ground in the form of animal droppings (what we call animal waste).

Then, under the influence of natural factors such as sunlight, rain and microorganisms, these coffee beans abandoned on the ground and exposed to the external environment gradually germinate and begin to grow into a new generation of coffee trees.

Stop 4: Humans and Wild Coffee Beans

Over time, humans began to notice the existence of these wild coffee trees and tried to plant them in their farmlands. They found that the beans produced by these wild coffee trees were of high quality and had a mellow taste.

As a result, people began to study how to cultivate and improve these wild varieties. Through selective breeding and patient cultivation, they gradually created a wide variety of rich and diverse coffee varieties.

Stop 5: Global Dissemination

As coffee beans were studied and understood more deeply, humans began to realize that it had great potential as a beverage and commodity. As a result, during the era of European colonialism in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, coffee was brought to other regions for commercial cultivation.

From the African savannah to Asia, America and other regions, different countries have begun to introduce and cultivate their own unique coffee varieties on a large scale. Each place has cultivated its own unique coffee beans based on its unique climate, soil and planting technology.

Conclusion

Through this journey of animal feces, we not only understand the origin and development of coffee beans, but also feel the subtle and wonderful connection between humans and nature. Behind every cup of fragrant coffee are countless stories interwoven with animal digestive systems, natural environment, and human wisdom and efforts.

So, when you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, remember to thank the life forces that have played a role in bringing us this magical drink. At the same time, we must also protect the natural resources that we all rely on to survive and thrive.