The Origin of Coffee Beans: Does It Come from Cow Dung?

The Origin of Coffee Beans: Does It Come from Cow Dung?

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and coffee beans are the key ingredient in making coffee. However, there is a legend that has caused people to speculate and dispute about the origin of coffee beans. This legend is about the connection between cow dung and coffee beans.

Behind the legend

The story goes that centuries ago, a Swedish botanist named Carl von Linné discovered something strange when he noticed that when cattle ate the berries of a certain plant, they excreted a substance that was similar in shape and color to coffee beans.

This discovery has caused people to think about whether there is a real place where coffee beans are produced in these "cow dung" and how they are digested into nature and collected again.

Scientific Explanation

Although this legend sounds interesting, scientists have found a more reasonable and reliable explanation. Coffee beans are actually seeds extracted from the fruit of the coffee tree, not produced through cow dung.

When the coffee berries are ripe, they become bright red or yellow and are covered with a husk, often called the "cherry," which contains two seeds, or coffee beans.

Von Linnaeus's observations could be explained by cattle eating the ripe cherries and excreting the seeds during digestion. Then, a substance similar in shape and color to coffee beans was found in the cow dung.

Collection and processing

Cow dung spread or not, what really matters is how the coffee beans are harvested and processed to ensure their quality and taste.

First of all, it is very important to plant and raise healthy, organic, pollution-free coffee trees on the farm. Only in this way can we ensure that there is no contamination or adverse effects from the fruit to the final product.

Secondly, picking coffee beans requires a series of processes. Usually, coffee cherries are picked by hand after they are ripe, and the seeds are obtained by removing the skin and pulp. This process requires patience and skills to ensure the integrity and quality of the seeds.

Finally, coffee beans need to be roasted, ground and brewed before they can become the coffee drink we love.

in conclusion

Although the legend about the connection between cow dung and coffee beans sounds interesting, science has proven that this is just a misconception. In fact, what really matters is how to correctly collect, process and make high-quality coffee beans. Only in this way can we ensure that we can enjoy delicious coffee with a rich taste and overflowing aroma.