The Coffee Plant
The coffee plant is actually a small tree or shrub, that is indigenous to south Asia and Africa.
There are more than 90 species of coffee plant but only a portion of these are used to make the coffee drink.
Coffee Plants
Coffee plants used to make the coffee drink are usually grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries on large farms or plantations.
These tropical plants are small trees that grow to a height of 3-4.5 meters (10-15 feet) and live for 50-70 years on average.
Coffee plants leaves are broad, waxy green and thickly cover the branches.
They bear fruit, coffee cherries, after 3-5 years and then for the rest of their lifespan.
They also produce sweet, jasmine like flowers in huge quantities.
Coffee Cherries on a Coffee Plant
There are 2 main types of coffee plant grown and harvested around the world, Coffea Arabica and Coffea Robusta.
Robusta is grown at lower elevations than Arabica and produces a greater yield of coffee beans per plant.
It is also a more robust plant, more resistant to disease and bad weather.
Robusta coffee contains twice as much caffeine, which gives coffee its bitter taste, as Arabica.
As such Robusta is classed as a lower quality coffee than Arabica, often being used for instant coffee, especially due to its lower production costs.
Arabica is grown at higher elevations often on the side of hills and mountains and makes for all the worlds best coffees.
The lower caffeine content gives a smoother taste preferred the world over.
Arabica needs plenty of sun and water with low pH soil and is often grown in volcanic regions as the soil there is perfect for Arabica growth.
Arabica contributes around 75% of all the worlds 8 million or so tons of harvested coffee each year.
Arabica coffee plant