Coffee Primer

March 2nd, 2006, under General Interest

Coffee is a tropical tree that produces fleshy berries which contain the actual coffee bean. Generally, coffee grows in two tree varieties, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is more sensitive and requires more attention while Robusta is more hardy and stronger of the two. While Arabica trees yield less beans than Robusta, their berries are more flavor-able and generally more expensive. Robusta has more caffeine content and generally a stronger aroma and more acidity. Robusta being the less expensive variety is used as the main ingredient in commercially blended coffees (the supermarket variety), it is also used in stronger European espresso varieties. The largest coffee growing countries are Brazil, Columbia, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Coffee beans are hand picked, de-fleshed and then air dried, they are only roasted within weeks of their actual consumption.



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