Coffee tree growing environment and species introduction

Differences in growth environment

The suitable environmental conditions for the growth of coffee trees in Arabica are that the annual temperature varies from 15 to 25, the annual rainfall is between 1500 and 2000 mm, and it should be in line with the flowering period of coffee trees. In addition, the growth of coffee trees also has high requirements for the soil. If the soil is not fertile enough and the nutrients, including a variety of trace elements, are not enough, it may affect the growth of coffee trees and the formation of flavor components of coffee beans. Therefore, the soil environment composed of volcanic ash provides very favorable soil conditions for the growth of coffee trees.

Although the growth of Arabica coffee trees needs sunlight, the strong direct sunlight is disadvantageous to the growth of Arabica coffee trees. The growth of Arabica coffee trees is more suitable for reflecting sunlight through other canopies. Therefore, in areas where coffee is artificially planted, intercropping is generally used. That is, for each row of coffee trees, a row of taller, larger crowns, such as banana trees, should be planted in the middle to shade the coffee trees. However, in Yunnan, where there are few sunny days and mostly rainy days, not interplanting will not be detrimental to the growth of coffee trees, but will also greatly increase the yield of coffee per mu.

The environmental conditions suitable for planting coffee trees in Arabica limit the most suitable areas for planting coffee trees in Arabica are tropical or subtropical alpine areas, generally at an altitude of no less than 800m to 1000m. Because the year-round temperature in the plain is too high, it is not suitable for the growth of coffee trees in Arabica. But the highest is usually no more than 2000 meters, because frost may occur in areas too high above sea level, and coffee trees may freeze to death in the event of frost. So even Arabica coffee trees cannot be planted in areas too high above sea level.

Sometimes we see the so-called "shady coffee" (shading coffee) in the market. These coffees are generally grown and harvested in the "shade" of the mountains. Because there is no or little sunshine on the shady side, the coffee beans harvested on the coffee trees grown here will have better taste characteristics. It is because Arabica coffee trees do not like the sun, so coffee beans grown and harvested in such areas will have a better taste. However, this is only a small part, there is no particularly strong reaction.

In contrast, coffee trees grown in Canifra require higher ambient temperatures, ranging from 24 to 29 degrees throughout the year, and prefer direct sunlight. So growing coffee trees in Canifra is suitable for growing in tropical or subtropical low-altitude areas. Its most important feature is resistance to diseases and insect pests and is not likely to be affected by insect pests. Therefore, the areas where coffee trees are planted in Canifra are tropical or subtropical low-altitude areas.

(C) differences in taste characteristics

There is a big difference in taste between coffee beans grown in Arabica and coffee beans grown in Robastian (grown in Canifa). It even affects that different coffee beans are suitable for processing in different ways and are used to make different coffee drinks. Therefore, it is very important for us to distinguish between the two kinds of coffee beans.

Arabica grows coffee beans:

The taste is delicate and soft, often with different taste characteristics due to variety and origin, such as the taste of different fruits, different nuts, chocolate, and so on.

Robusta grows coffee beans:

The taste is strong and rich, sometimes with a fishy, spicy, and other bad taste. Some people can even smell charred rubber when roasting robusta coffee.

Because of the great difference in taste, Arabica coffee has always been considered to be of higher quality than Robusta coffee and is sold at a higher price in the international market. Robusta coffee is sold at a lower price in the international market because of its poor taste. Of course, this is not absolute. If carefully selected, Robusta coffee can also choose a lot of very good coffee, and the price is not lower than that of ordinary Arabica coffee. This has left such a deep impression on people for a long time that up to now many people still cannot accept the use of Robusta coffee to make coffee drinks. Whether it's filter coffee or espresso.