It is not an exaggeration to say that most of us generally recognize coffee either in their form of original beans, roasted granules, or in powder. However, there are potentially coffeeholic out there who still don’t know how coffee trees and their fruits look like.
The origin of coffee is from a genus (plant classification) known as Coffea where there are over 500 genera and 6000 species of tropical trees and shrubs. Experts estimate that there are around 25 to 100 species of coffee plants exist in the world. This genus was first introduced by a botanist named Carolus Linneaus in the 18th century but there were other botanists who argued further about a better classification for the plant.
Examples of coffee tree fruits and flowers.
Coffee trees are capable of growing over 30 feet ( about 9 meters ) tall and each tree is covered with green, waxy leaves that grow opposite each other in pairs. Coffee fruits, also known as coffee cherries grow along the branches and since it grows in a continuous cycle, it is not unusual to see flowers, green fruit and ripe cherries grow simultaneously on trees. In the coffee tree planting sector, the stems and twigs of coffee trees will be pruned periodically to save time and aid harvesting process.
The flowers look like Jasmine, some are white while others are yellowish. The fruits are green for the young, yellowish orange when it almost ripe, and bright red when it mature. In general, the size of the ripe ones can reach more than 10mm in length and 6mm in width within 9-11 months depending on their species.
The period for coffee cherries to mature after flowering for the first time takes nearly a year, and about five years to reach full production. Even though coffee plants can live up to 100 years, they are generally most productive at the ages of 7 and 20. Proper care can maintain and even increase its production for many years depending on the species. On average, a coffee tree is capable of producing four to five kilograms of cherries annually which is equivalent to about one kilogram of raw green coffee beans.
All commercially grown coffee plantation usually comes from a region called “The Coffee Belt” where its coffee trees grow best in fertile soil, with moderate temperatures, frequent rains, and shady sun.
Reference:
https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/What-is-Coffee
