Considering the kind of restricted conditions required to produce quality ‘beans’ and comparatively how little the output turns out to be, it is amazing how these coffee tree plantations are spread across 70 countries, from Indonesia to Brazil. It is the seed and not the bean that is roasted and ground that actually makes the drink. This is the seed of a fruit which grows on trees which are easily twenty feet high or more. Certain wild varieties grow to about 45 ft or 15 m. Though there is a variety of seed that produces only one, that is, the peaberry, most of these come in pairs. The berry looks like a cranberry with a sweet pulp, covered by a sheath called the silverskin.
The majority of the world’s coffee output comes from the equatorial region approximately 25 degrees north or south of the equator. Ideally, there should be a rainfall of about six inches a month, or more perhaps, as well as temperatures between 60ºF(15ºC) and 70ºF(21ºC). Coffee plantations need loamy and good-draining soil as well as high humidity – a lot of mist at high altitudes, over 3000ft (915m) for best results. These heights mean there is a lower oxygen content so you will find that the trees take a longer time to mature. The majority of coffee comprises of robusta, also called coffee canephora as it can be grown at low altitudes and has a greater resistance to diseases. However the high altitude coffee arabica is the gourmet’s choice.
Unlike vineries where a lot of sunlight is a must, coffee growing needs scattered light and gentle winds, and these are sometimes created intentionally in order to improve the quality of the coffee grown. The tree takes around five years to produce the first crop and a single crop will only generate about two pounds (1 kilogram) of coffee. These two pounds comprise of 2000 beans, chosen by a long and tedious process in which, over time, the laborer develops the skill to select the good beans and remove the bad, one bean at a time. And this perhaps is one of the main reasons why coffee is priced so high.
Coffee trees have broad, dark green leaves and have a flower which looks like the jasmine. In countries like Brazil and Mexico they blossom in about six to eight weeks. Kenya and Columbia on the other hand which lie along the equator have berries growing alongside the still ripening ones. This is what makes bean picking such a specialty.
This entire process may take up to nine months depending on the weather and other conditions. This becomes a cycle for the entire life of the tree - about 20 to 25 years. Using the best technology, a good harvest can be anywhere between 6600 lbs(3000 kg) and 8800 lbs(4000 kg) per hectare, that’s around 2.7 acres.
Coffee grows in fairly unapproachable territory and under pretty harsh conditions. But from here, it is processed and makes it all over the world and is today, if we look at the annual dollar volume, the world’s second largest commodity. So in future when you sip your way to satisfaction, spare a thought for how long it’s taken to make it to your morning cup of coffee and maybe, just maybe, you won’t really find the price too high after all!
|
