Which plant family do coffee beans belong to?

Coffee beans brand name coffee family classification

Coffee beans are a common plant seed that is widely used to make coffee. They belong to the scientific classification of Kingdom Plantae, Phylum Angiosperms, Class Dicots, Subclass Rosaceae, Order Rosales, and Family Rubiaceae. Rubiaceae is a large and diverse family that includes many important economic crops.

Introduction to Rubiaceae

Rubiaceae is a family of woody or herbaceous plants that are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. The family includes about 13 genera and about 600 species, among which the most famous and economically valuable is Coffea. In addition to coffee, the family also includes other important agricultural crops such as Cinchona, Garcinia, Uncaria, etc.

Introduction to Coffee

Coffea is the only genus in the Rubiaceae order that is economically valuable and widely cultivated. The genus contains about 120 species, the most common of which are Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) and Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora). These two species dominate the global coffee market.

Arabica Coffee

Arabica coffee is the oldest and highest quality coffee bean. It originated in the Ethiopian highlands and was introduced to Yemen in the 14th century. Today, the Arabian region is still one of the main Arabica producing areas in the world. This coffee bean is usually grown in high mountain areas at an altitude of 1,000-2,000 meters, with a cool and humid climate.

Robusta Coffee

Robusta coffee is easier to cultivate and manage than Arabica, so it has a higher yield and a lower price. It originated in the Congo Basin and was introduced to other African countries and Brazil in the 19th century. Unlike Arabica, Robusta prefers to grow at lower altitudes of 200-800 meters above sea level, with a hotter climate.

Coffee bean growing environment

Coffee beans have high requirements for environmental conditions during the planting process. They prefer a warm and humid climate, usually requiring an average annual temperature between 15-24 degrees Celsius. In addition, sufficient rainfall and appropriate sunshine hours are also necessary conditions for the growth of coffee beans.

Coffee cultivation and harvesting

Coffee cultivation is usually done by artificial planting, with specialized farmlands established in suitable areas for management. Generally speaking, it takes about three to four years from sowing to harvesting. When ripe, the fruit turns red or purple and has a strong aroma. Farmers pick the fruit by hand or by machine, and after a series of processing steps such as peeling, fermentation, and drying, the final product - coffee beans - is obtained.

Conclusion

In general, coffee beans belong to the only genus of the Rubiaceae family that is economically valuable and widely cultivated - Coffea. Arabica and Robusta are the two most common varieties, which grow at different altitudes and climate conditions. Coffee beans have high requirements for warm and humid environments, and the cultivation process requires patience and meticulous management. By understanding the plant family to which coffee beans belong, their growth environment and cultivation process, we can better understand this important crop and enjoy the pleasure of delicious coffee.