Where is coffee extracted from?
Coffee, this famous drink loved by millions around the world, has a long journey that begins with coffee crops in distant farms and ends with a warm cup on the breakfast table or after a hearty meal.
In this article, we will review the journey of coffee, starting from its extraction from nature and ending with the different types sold in coffee roasters, while touching on the different types of coffee and methods of preparing drip coffee.
Coffee Crops: From Seed to Bean
Coffee is extracted from the seeds of the coffee plant, which is grown mainly in tropical regions around the world. There are two main types of coffee plant used in commercial coffee production: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are the most popular and highest quality, producing a smooth, rich flavour, while Robusta is more bitter and has a higher caffeine content, making it suitable for people who like their coffee with a strong flavour.
Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia are the most famous regions where coffee crops flourish. Each region has its own climate and soil that gives the beans a different character in terms of flavour and quality.
For example, coffee produced in Ethiopia often has fruity and floral flavours, while Brazilian coffee has a mix of chocolate and nutty flavours.
Types of Coffee: Variety of Flavor and Quality
As mentioned, there are two main types of coffee, Arabica and Robusta. Each type has its own characteristics that appeal to a certain segment of coffee lovers.
- Arabica coffee : It is considered the most popular coffee in the world, and constitutes about 60-70% of global coffee production. Arabica trees are grown in mountainous areas at high altitudes, which helps produce soft and flavorful beans. People who like coffee with a medium and sweet flavor often prefer to choose this type.
- Robusta : It is grown in areas with low altitudes, and its beans are characterized by their hardness and strong taste. Robusta is considered an ideal choice for lovers of strong and concentrated coffee, as it contains a higher percentage of caffeine compared to Arabica, which makes it ideal for making espresso.
Coffee Roasters: The Art of Turning Beans into Beverages
The roasting process is a crucial stage in the journey from the farm to the cup. At this stage, the green beans turn into the dark brown beans that we know. Roasting plays an important role in determining the final taste of coffee, as the natural oils inside the beans are transformed and give a rich and distinctive flavour.
Coffee roasters vary in the roasting techniques they use, with some relying on light roasting that preserves the natural fruity and floral flavours of the coffee beans, while others rely on dark roasting that brings out the chocolate and caramel flavours and reduces acidity.
Coffee roasters also contribute to providing customized coffee according to the taste of customers. Coffee lovers can choose the types of beans they want to buy in addition to the degree of roasting that suits them, whether it is light, medium or dark.
Drip Coffee: The Simple and Effective Preparation Method
Among the different methods of preparing coffee, drip coffee stands out as one of the most popular among coffee lovers who prefer to experience the natural flavors of the beans. Drip coffee is prepared by pouring hot water over ground coffee slowly, allowing the water to absorb the oils and rich flavors of the ground coffee.
Drip coffee requires the use of special tools such as the V60 or Chemex, which help filter the coffee better and give a pure, unblemished cup. What distinguishes this method is that the person can precisely control every element of the preparation, from the amount of coffee to the temperature of the water, which provides a personal preparation experience for each cup.
Coffee is not just a regular morning drink; it is a journey that begins with coffee crops that are carefully grown in different regions of the world, continues through coffee roasters that transform green beans into a wonderful taste, and ends in a cup of drip coffee that reflects love and care in every step of the preparation process. Whether you prefer coffee with a smooth or strong flavor, or enjoy the experience of drip coffee, the world of coffee is full of diversity and innovation, making it a source of inspiration for many lovers of this wonderful drink.