The journey of coffee from bean to cup involves a series of meticulous processes that bring out its Flavors and aromas. Let’s explore the steps involved in this captivating voyage:
1. Plantation: Coffee seeds are planted in nurseries, nurtured until they are strong enough for permanent planting. Coffee trees typically take 3 to 4 years to mature and start bearing fruit.
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Plantation
2. Harvesting: Ripe coffee cherries, which turn bright red, are selectively picked either by hand or using machines. There are two primary methods of harvesting: strip picking (where all cherries are removed at once) and selective picking (where only ripe cherries are harvested individually).
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Harvesting
3. Processing: After harvesting, the coffee cherries need to be processed to extract the coffee beans. There are two main processing methods:
A. Wet Processing: This method involves removing the outer skin and pulp of the cherries, fermenting the beans, and washing them to remove any remaining residue.
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Processing
B. Dry Processing: With this method, the whole cherries are dried in the sun until they become dry and brittle. The dried cherries are then mechanically hulled to extract the beans.
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Dry Processing
4. Sorting and Grading: The processed beans go through sorting and grading to separate them based on size, shape, and quality. This ensures consistency and quality in the final product.
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Sorting and Grading
5. Roasting: The green coffee beans are roasted to bring out their Flavors and aromas. Roasting temperatures and durations vary, resulting in different roast levels and flavour profiles.
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Roasting
6. Grinding: The roasted coffee beans are ground to the desired consistency based on the brewing method to be used.
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Grinding
7. Brewing: Ground coffee is brewed using various techniques such as pour-over, espresso, French press, or drip brewing. This involves combining the coffee grounds with hot water to extract the Flavors and create the final cup of coffee.
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Brewing
Each step in this process contributes to the overall flavour, aroma, and quality of the brewed coffee, making it a delightful beverage enjoyed by many around the world.