Encyclopedia of Coffee Bean Knowledge

Coffee beans are seeds from coffee trees, and are an important raw material for making coffee. The following will introduce this tiny seed from three aspects: the origin, classification, and processing of coffee beans.

First of all, coffee beans originated in Africa. According to archaeologists, the earliest place where coffee beans were discovered and used was the southern highlands of Ethiopia. Legend has it that a shepherd noticed that his sheep became unusually active and stayed awake all night after eating certain plant fruits. So he tried these fruits and experienced similar effects. Over time, people began to realize that these fruits could be used to make delicious drinks and gradually spread them to other regions.

Secondly, coffee beans can be divided into multiple varieties and grades according to their origin and processing methods. The two most common and widely used varieties are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is loved for its rich aroma and long taste; Robusta is often used to make strong Italian coffee because of its high caffeine content and strong bitterness. In addition, there are some special varieties such as Kona and Jamaica Blue Mountain, which are generally regarded as high-end coffee.

Finally, coffee beans go through a complex series of processes before they become the drinkable form we know. First, they are picked by hand to ensure that only beans of the right maturity, bright color, and intactness are selected. Then there are the processing steps of peeling, fermentation, washing, and drying, which affect the internal structure of the beans and give them a specific flavor. Finally, they are roasted, and roasting at different temperatures and for different lengths of time can produce different degrees of aroma and taste in the coffee beans.