What You Don't Know About the Coffee Plant

Are you ready to learn what you've never heard before about the coffee plant, a favorite for hot and cold drinks?

What is Coffee?

Coffee is the fruit kernel of a tree that botanically belongs to the Rubaiaceae family and has about 6000 species. The white flowers bloom in spring and turn from green to red as they ripen. Coffee is obtained by roasting the beans, which are usually two in each fruit. It is also possible to get a single bean from a single fruit. Such beans are called Peaberry and have a higher market value than others.

Coffee flowers bloom several times a year, and a few hours after they bloom, they wither and the coffee fruit forms. It is also called coffee cherry because it resembles a cherry in shape. The scent of its flowers is likened to that of an orange tree. Coffee trees are grown at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level in steep and sloping areas. Except for the seed, the other parts are known to be poisonous to both humans and animals.

Where the Coffee Tree Grows

Coffee trees are grown in areas with tropical climates and dense undergrowth. Today, coffee is produced in about seventy countries, but Brazil ranks first in the world. The country produces over 2 million 500 thousand tons of coffee annually. After Brazil, Vietnam produces about 13 million tons of coffee annually, Colombia 810 thousand tons and Ethiopia 400 thousand tons.

In Andoznesia, the homeland of coffee among African countries, produces 700 thousand tons of coffee annually. The climatic conditions of our country are not favorable for coffee production. However, in Turkey, coffee cultivation studies continue in Mersin and Anamur regions.

How to get coffee

A coffee tree takes about 3 years to bear fruit after planting. During this time, the care and feeding conditions of the tree are very effective. Coffee trees first form seeds and then bloom white flowers. These flowers do not stay on the branch for a long time and fall off a few days after blooming. After the flowering period is over, red fruits appear between the lush green leaves.

Ripe fruits are collected and processed one by one. The separation of these processed fruits from the seeds is sometimes done manually by farmers, while in some facilities it is done with the help of machines. The separated seeds are left to dry under the sun. This process continues for days, protected from humidity at night and hot sun during the day. Depending on the region of cultivation, coffee trees continue to bear fruit for about 25 to 40 years.

What are the Types of Coffee?

There are more than a hundred types of coffee worldwide, but the two most widely cultivated are Arabica and Robusta. Both are of African origin. However, although they belong to the same family, they are quite different in terms of structure and flavor. Arabica coffee accounts for 75% of coffee production today, while Robusta accounts for 25%. So what is the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee?

Arabica Coffee

Arabica Coffee is made from the beans of the Arabica plant. Arabica beans require high altitudes and tropical regions, so they are very laborious to grow. It has a soft fruit flavor and the amount of caffeine is very low. It is more expensive than Robusta coffee. According to a rumor, it is believed that the first arabica coffee was discovered when an Ethiopian shepherd roasted coffee beans to keep the clergymen awake with the increased energy of the goats eating the fruit trees.

Robusta Coffee

Robusta coffee is obtained from the beans of the Coffe Canephora plant. It is grown at lower altitudes than Arabica coffee and is very resistant to climatic conditions. The taste is more bitter and flavorless. Due to its intense aroma, it is usually added to coffees as cream. It is cheaper because it is easier to grow than Arabica coffee. Today, coffee, which is one of the most frequently consumed beverages around the world, has benefits as well as harms. So what are the benefits and harms of coffee?

Benefits of Drinking Coffee

• It accelerates fat burning in the weight loss process.
• Increases concentration.
• Protects against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Protective against cancer.
• Energizes the body and increases physical activity.

Harms of Drinking Coffee

• Taking too much caffeine leads to sleep problems.
• Increases heart rate.
• Cause muscle and bone weakness.
• Too much is addictive.

Coffee, which is one of the most frequently consumed beverages both in our country and in the world, has positive effects on the body if it is drunk in sufficient amounts, while excess causes side effects. Experts say that drinking 1-2 cups of coffee daily is healthy, while emphasizing that individuals with certain diseases should drink it with the advice of a doctor. For more information about the historical development of coffee, you can take a look at our event content From history to the present day 'coffee' was discussed.