
Where Do Coffee Beans Come From?
Coffee has become a staple of our everyday lives. The world seems to revolve around the rich, dark liquid and many people would agree that their day doesn’t start until that first delicious cup. However, the vast majority hasn’t paused to consider, where do coffee beans come from?
If you’re wondering about the beans in your brew, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this guide to tell you all there is to know about coffee beans, so keep reading to quench your thirst for coffee knowledge.
What is Green Coffee?
Coffee is a fruit. Green coffee or Green beans are the raw seeds of coffee cherries that have been separated or “processed” and have yet to be roasted.
Do different plants produce different coffee beans?
Yes, there are over 120 varieties of coffee plants and each produces a different type of coffee bean; however, the majority of the coffee we consume comes from just two variants, Robusta (also known as Coffea Robusta or Coffea Canephora) or Arabica (Coffea Arabica) or a blend of the two. The two varieties differ in taste, growing conditions, and price
What about decaf coffee beans?
There is no such thing as decaf coffee beans as they naturally contain caffeine. The decaffeination process is carried out prior to roasting which involves swelling them with water or steam, then extracting the caffeine with water, organic solvent or activated carbon. Finally, the decaf coffee beans are dried to return them to their normal moisture.
Despite being referred to as ‘decaffeinated’, decaf coffee beans will always contain some caffeine as it’s not possible to remove it all during the process.
Now you know all about where coffee beans come from, why not find out about the origins of the beverage? Read our guide on the history of coffee, next.