You already know where coffee comes from, since we told you the history of coffee in the world, its origin and how it arrived to a new continent and specifically to our beloved Colombia, now let's see, how is this fruit produced?, as well as, the types of coffee beans and their differences.
How is coffee produced?
The coffee tree (tree that produces the coffee fruit) is a genus of plant classified within the large family of Rubiaceae, of which 10 domesticated species and more wild species are known.
Of the 10 domesticated species, the most important are Coffea arabica and Canephora, better known as Robusta, and from these come the types of coffee that bear the same name.
Coffee refers to the roasted seed of the coffee tree fruit, produced after a long agricultural and industrial production process, and also to the beverage obtained from roasted coffee, once ground, through extraction.
Types of coffee beans and their differences
There are more than 40 species of coffee plants, but the coffee drink is obtained primarily from three of them: the Arabian coffee plant, the Robusta coffee plant, and the Liberica coffee plant.
- The Arabica coffee tree is a bush that grows to about 12 meters tall in its natural state. It comes from the mountains of Ethiopia and is the most important species today and the one that produces the highest quality coffee.
- The robusta coffee plant is a tree or shrub growing to about 10 meters tall, native to West Africa, although it is cultivated in many tropical regions. It is easier to grow than the Arabica coffee plant, partly because it is more resistant to diseases and pests.
- The liberica coffee tree is a tree that can reach 18 meters in height, it comes from Liberia, in West Africa, although it is mainly grown in Indonesia. The seeds it produces are larger, although compared to its cousins ββthey provide very little flavor.
The most consumed and important types of coffee in the world are Arabica and Robusta, each with its own characteristics that differentiate them considerably.
Arabica coffee, for example, has a circular, yellowish bean with a linear crack. It has very little caffeine content, although its characteristics make it very aromatic, with fruity tones, and greater flavor and sweetness.
Robusta coffee, on the other hand, has an oval, reddish bean with a wave-shaped crack or similar to the mathematical symbol for "whole grain." It has a high caffeine content, low aromatic characteristics, and more potent, bitter tones.
The coffee drink
Roasted coffee contains a high level of caffeine (the active chemical ingredient present in coffee), and from it the beverage with the flavor and aroma we know is produced.
There are many ways to prepare or extract the drink from already ground coffee (by extraction in an espresso machine, by immersion, by straining, etc.), and once this process is done there are countless combinations with other ingredients to make more elaborate drinks, the most popular being milk for making cappuccinos, although it can also be combined with liqueurs and spices.
As for the properties of coffee, we find some antioxidant and analgesic qualities (since it reduces inflammation in blood vessels and makes coffee an effective remedy for preventing migraines).
We've all had this drink at some point to stay awake and increase our concentration, as caffeine stimulates our nervous system.
Coffee is an important aid for athletes because it activates the production of catecholamines, hormones like adrenaline, which keep athletes active and ready to run. It is a natural stimulant that improves our mood and physical well-being and reduces depression in mild cases.
As you can see, coffee is a beverage steeped in history, but also one with great versatility and countless benefits. It's no wonder it's one of the most popular beverages in the world, attracting more and more new fans and consumers who can't get enough of drinking at least one cup of coffee a day.