Coffee Basics: All About The Bean

Coffee is popularâ€"you can drink it black or with sugar, or you can go to your local coffee shop and order just about any flavor or type of coffee imaginable. There are many people that grab a cup of coffee in the morning before they do anything else. If you are a coffee lover, have you ever stopped to think about where that cup of coffee actually comes from? The work that is involved in bringing you that little cup is also interesting. Here is a look at the little coffee bean and the history behind that steaming cup of java.

Joining in on the coffee bean craze: How did the modest cup of coffee turn from a cup or two in the morning to a multi-million dollar business? How did people decide to experiment with the different varieties of coffee bean and try to perfect the perfect cup? Coffee shops around the world, such as Starbucks, are hopeful that you want to drink that coffee and they have built an entire empire on your coffee drinking habits. People who might otherwise never ordered a cup of coffee, are now lining up in busy coffee shops for a unique blend or taste.

Where does coffee come from? Did you know that the coffee bean is grown in over 70 countries around the world? The most common location for a coffee bean starts out in Brazil. Before you get excited and think that just anyone can grow coffee beans, think about this: the produce a quality coffee bean, one in which is fit to end up in your cup, there are certain conditions that must take place. First of all, you should realize that the bean is actually not a bean at all. In fact, it is a seen from a fruit that grows on trees. The best coffee beans are grown around the equator, where temperatures remain ideal year round. The mild climate and steady rainfall ensure that a good crop of beans grow all the time. Another important aspect of growing the perfect coffee bean is to make sure that it grows in a location with loamy soil. This type of soil is well-drained. The equator has this kind of soil. Diffused lighting, never bright, hot direct lighting is also the key to coffee bean growing success. Add in to that the high elevations and high humidity, and the perfect coffee beans are born.

Many people are interested in trying to replicate the coffee bean growing process that takes place in this location. It is sometimes difficult. If you look at wine grapes, the exact opposite climate is needed. You will also need plenty of time to grow those beans. It takes at least five years for the fruit to mature and then one tree may only produce about two pounds of beans. That is a lot of time and work for such a small amount.

The next time you go to enjoy that hot, fresh cup of coffee, think about the time and work spent to make that cup. Coffee will never go out of style as long as people continue to drink it.

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About The Author, Jerryblackburn
Jerry Blackburn usually makes informative papers on news relating to expresso. You can learn about his contributions on expresso machines over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com . Click here to get your own unique version of this article.