Structure of coffee berry and beans:
- Center cut
- Bean (endosperm)
- Silver skin (testa, epidermis),
- Parchment (hull, endocarp)
- Pectin layer
- Pulp (mesocarp)
- Outer skin (pericarp, exocarp)
The coffee plant grows in tropical areas. It grows between 600 to 7200 feet above sea level. Fundamentally, coffee beans are of two types:
Arabica
Arabica is the earliest cultivated species of the coffee tree. It grows best in altitudes between 4000 and 6000 feet above sea level. It require special soil conditions with just the right balance of warmth and moisture. It is considered a higher quality bean and produces very flavorful and aromatic coffee. It takes six to nine months to mature.
Because Arabica trees are susceptible to disease, frost, and drought, and fall to the ground soon after they ripen. Hence they must be harvested as soon as they ripen. They require careful labor-intensive cultivation and produce only 1 to 1.5 pounds of beans per year. Hence they are more expensive. The beans are low in caffeine content and high in flavor and aroma.Arabica beans account for about 75% of the beans that are grown around the world.
Robusta
Robusta grows best in altitudes above sea level and upto 2500 feet. It is maily cultivated in West Africa and Southeast Asia. It is less flavorful and less aromatic. It is more tolerant of the cold and moisture. Robusta beans do not fall to the ground once they ripen, hence it does not need to be harvested immediately. This species is normally purchased as a 'filler' bean for canned coffees to reduce the roasters cost. Robusta has twice the caffeine content of Arabica. In fact, Robusta takes less time to mature, typically half the time needed for Arabica beans, and tend to yield twice as many cherries. It is also low in flavor and aroma, and is less expensive. It is usually found in instant coffee.
Robusta accounts for about 25% of the coffee grown around the world. It's taste is more of an earthy quality.
Arabica
Arabica is the earliest cultivated species of the coffee tree. It grows best in altitudes between 4000 and 6000 feet above sea level. It require special soil conditions with just the right balance of warmth and moisture. It is considered a higher quality bean and produces very flavorful and aromatic coffee. It takes six to nine months to mature.
Because Arabica trees are susceptible to disease, frost, and drought, and fall to the ground soon after they ripen. Hence they must be harvested as soon as they ripen. They require careful labor-intensive cultivation and produce only 1 to 1.5 pounds of beans per year. Hence they are more expensive. The beans are low in caffeine content and high in flavor and aroma.Arabica beans account for about 75% of the beans that are grown around the world.
Robusta
Robusta grows best in altitudes above sea level and upto 2500 feet. It is maily cultivated in West Africa and Southeast Asia. It is less flavorful and less aromatic. It is more tolerant of the cold and moisture. Robusta beans do not fall to the ground once they ripen, hence it does not need to be harvested immediately. This species is normally purchased as a 'filler' bean for canned coffees to reduce the roasters cost. Robusta has twice the caffeine content of Arabica. In fact, Robusta takes less time to mature, typically half the time needed for Arabica beans, and tend to yield twice as many cherries. It is also low in flavor and aroma, and is less expensive. It is usually found in instant coffee.
Robusta accounts for about 25% of the coffee grown around the world. It's taste is more of an earthy quality.
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