There is a kind of tree that we call the coffee tree, the environment in which the coffee tree is generated.

The generating environment of coffee trees

In botany, coffee trees belong to the evergreen trees of the subgenus Rubiaceae, and coffee beans, commonly known as coffee beans, are actually the seeds of the fruit of coffee trees, just because they are shaped like beans. Climate is the decisive factor for coffee cultivation. Coffee trees are only suitable for growing in the tropics or subtropics, so the zone between latitude 25 degrees south and north is generally called coffee belt or coffee area. However, not all the land located in this area can produce good coffee trees.

one

The optimal planting conditions for coffee trees are: a warm climate with a temperature between 15-25 ℃, and annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm. At the same time, the rainfall time should be in line with the flowering cycle of coffee trees. Of course, in addition to the seasonal rainfall, there should also be fertile soil and good drainage. In addition, although sunlight is an indispensable element for the growth and fruit of coffee, too strong sunlight will inhibit the growth of coffee trees, so various producing areas will usually cooperate with the planting of some shade trees. The ideal altitude for coffee trees to grow is 500-2000 meters. It can be seen that the conditions for the cultivation of high-quality coffee are very strict: sunlight, rainfall, soil, air temperature, as well as the way coffee beans are harvested and the production process will affect the quality of coffee itself.

two

The first flowering period of the white flower and red fruit coffee tree is about three years old. the white five-petal tube-shaped flowers are filled with a faint fragrance of jasmine, and the inflorescences are arranged in dense clusters. The petals will wither in two or three days and bear fruit after a few months. The fruit is a drupe with a diameter of about 1.5cm. It turns green at first, then turns yellow gradually, and turns red when ripe. It is very similar to cherries, so it is called cherry coffee (Coffee Cherry). It can be harvested at this time. Coffee fruit contains two seeds, namely coffee beans. The two beans are connected face to face with each other on one side of the plane. Each coffee bean has a thin outer film, which is called silver skin, and its outer layer is covered with a yellow outer skin, called endocarp. The whole coffee bean is wrapped in a sticky pulp to form a soft and sweet coffee pulp with the outermost shell.

Types of coffee trees

At present, the best quality coffee beans in the world mainly come from Arabica, Robusta and Liberia, which are mainly proud of the coffee trees in the three places.

1 Arabica coffee tree

The country of origin is Ethiopia, and its coffee bean production accounts for 70% of the world's output; the world-famous Blue Mountain Garffin, mocha coffee and so on are almost all Arabica species. Arabica coffee trees are suitable for growing in high mountains with large temperature difference between day and night, as well as low humidity and well-drained soil; the ideal altitude is 2000 meters, the higher the altitude, the better the quality. Arabica coffee trees require fertile soil, sufficient moisture, proper sunshine and shade, poor resistance to diseases and insect pests, and low annual output per unit area.

2 Robusta coffee tree

Congo, which originated in Africa, accounts for about 20% of the world's output. 30%. The Robusta coffee tree is suitable for planting in the lowlands below 500 meters above sea level, has a strong adaptability to the outside world, can resist adverse weather and insect pests, and does not need much manual care during soil preparation, weeding and pruning, and can be allowed to grow in the wild. It is a kind of coffee tree that is easy to cultivate. But its flavor is more bitter than Arabica, and its quality is much lower, so it is mostly used to make instant coffee. In general, the coffee sold in fast food restaurants mainly uses Robusta coffee beans as the material. Because it is made in Africa, most Africans drink robusta coffee. Robusta coffee trees have strong resistance to diseases and insect pests and are not vulnerable to agricultural diseases. the annual output of coffee trees per unit area is higher and can be harvested in large quantities by machine. generally speaking, the production cost is lower than that of Arabica coffee.

3 Liberian coffee trees

Liberia, which is native to Africa, has a shorter cultivation history than the other two coffee trees, so it is only planted in a few places such as Liberia, Surinam and Gaiana, so it accounts for less than 5% of the world's output. The coffee tree of Liberia is suitable for planting in the lowlands, and the coffee beans produced have a strong aroma and bitter taste.

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