Where Does Your Coffee Come From

There is nothing more pleasant than the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. Many people drink coffee to start their day. The "high" that you feel when you drink coffee is due to the caffeine in it, a chemical that stimulates your central nervous system. That is every time you drink coffee, you feel alert and awake. But where does coffee come from and how is it made?

Your drink starts out as berries from coffee trees that grow about 10 to 15 feet. The trees usually bear fruit after two to five years, with each tree producing around five pounds of fruit. When ripe, the blackish-red berries are shaken or picked by hand. The seeds, which are green in colour, are then separated from the pulp either by hand or by machine. The seeds, commonly called coffee beans, are washed and dried. After the skin that covers them is removed through milling, the beans are packed and sold to coffeemakers and coffee shops.

To make coffee, the coffee beans are roasted. This process allows the beans to develop their aroma and flavour while darkening their colour. This procedure is crucial because the duration and method determine the coffee's final flavour. Typically, the beans are roasted in the area where they will be sold. Roasting is also done in a way that suits the taste of the locale.

Grinding the beans to powder is the last step. This could be done in a roasting plant where the final product is packed and shipped. However, coffee beans can also be ground in cafes, coffee stores, or at homes where they will be brewed.