What kind of plant do coffee beans grow on?

Coffee beans are seeds that grow on coffee trees. Coffee trees belong to the Rubiaceae family and are evergreen trees that are mainly found in tropical regions near the equator. Major coffee producing areas in the world include Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Coffee trees usually grow in high mountain areas between 800 and 2,000 meters above sea level, where the climate is warm and humid, which is conducive to the growth of coffee beans. Moreover, the soil in these high mountain areas is fertile and well-drained.

When coffee cherries ripen, they turn red or yellow and begin to fall from the tree. Farmers regularly collect these fallen cherries and process them to obtain the valuable part they contain: the two seeds inside, called the "germ" (which we call "coffee beans").

After being picked, the berries first need to go through a process such as peeling and fermentation. Then, they are dried in the sun or by mechanical equipment to remove the pulp and outer mucilage. Finally, the coffee beans are roasted to enhance their flavor and aroma.

The growing environment of coffee beans has an important impact on the quality of coffee. The soil, climate and altitude of different regions will affect the taste characteristics of coffee beans. For example, coffee produced in Brazil usually has a strong and sweet taste, while coffee produced in Ethiopia is known for its floral aroma and high acidity.

In short, coffee beans are seeds picked from coffee trees, which grow in the Rubiaceae family, and obtained after a series of processing. They need a warm, humid and well-drained environment to grow, and the coffee beans produced in different regions also have their own unique flavors due to different environmental conditions.