Christian Womens Resources

Each coffee tree produces very few beans that can be harvested. Also, the coffee tree can only be found in very tropical climates which mean that it can only be found in countries close to the equator. That being said, the coffee tree grows in more than 70 different countries.

The word ‘beans’ is deliberately in single-quote marks, since the thing that gets roasted and ground to make the drink isn’t really a bean at all, it’s a seed.

There are usually 2 seeds inside each fruit. That is the case with most types of this tree with the exception of the peaberry. The seeds are surrounded by a somewhat slimy white substance which is the meat of the fruit. All this from a tree that can grow to between 20 and 50 feet tall.

In a band around the equator from approximately 25 degrees north or south, comes the overwhelming majority of the world’s coffee output. Temperatures of between 60F (15C) and 70F (21C) are best as is rainfall of six inches per month or more.

Loamy, good-draining soil is needed and also helpful is high humidity - plenty of mist and cloud at the high elevations, over 3000 ft (915m) for the good stuff. At these elevations the oxygen content is lower, so the trees take longer to mature.

Some coffee trees are more resilient and less particular than others and this makes the larger producers of coffee. These types, like the canephora or robusta, do not require the high altitudes. Naturally the pickier the tree the better bean it produces. If you want the finest cup of gourmet coffee, like the arabica, you will have to go to the high altitudes.

Some fruit trees thrive on intense sun. Coffee trees do not fall in this category. Providing shade and shelter for them helps protect the trees from windy conditions and filters the suns rays allowing the tree to grow and produce at its best.

Once planted, the tree takes about five years to mature to first crop and even then a single tree will only make enough for about two pounds (1 kilogram) of coffee.

There is nothing easy or mindless about the harvesting of coffee beans. Everything is done by hand and it takes a keen eye and knowledge of what you’re doing to separate the good beans from the bad. From one tree you can harvest about 2000 beans, and it is a tedious task.