How Many Coffee Species Are There? (Solved & Explained!)

There are two primary species of Coffae plants that are grown to produce coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta. Sounds familiar right? The Roasterie Coffee Company notes that the species and the variety make a big difference in the taste and caffeine content of the coffee.

The majority of coffee grown is Arabica coffee with over a hundred varieties while there are only a few of Robusta. Overall, Arabica is also thought to make better quality and tastier coffee with great flavors and aromas. The Robusta coffee is generally lower-quality and cheaper to produce. It is generally used for lower quality coffee such as instant coffee.

If you are interested in learning more about the appearance, origins, and varieties of coffee, continue reading our in-depth guide.

Does Coffee Grow on Trees?

When most of us think of coffee, we think of the small, dark brown beans that we use to grind and filter into one of the world’s favorite drinks. When in reality, it is not a bean at all, but actually, a coffee seed that comes from a Coffae plant.

According to the USA National Coffee Association, there are over 100 different species of Coffae plants. Although they could grow up to ten feet tall, becoming trees, farmers usually prune them into shrubs approximately five to seven feet tall for easier and more bountiful harvesting.

What does a coffee plant look like?

According to The Roasterie Coffee Company, coffee plants have branches of dark green, waxy leaves. They are often pruned short in order to conserve their energy and maximize the quality and quantity of fruit that they produce. These fruits are actually cherries that are preceded by small, delicate white flowers. The flowers and their subsequent fruit grow along the branches in clusters. While initially green, as the cherries ripen they eventually turn red, yellow, orange, or pink depending on the Coffae plant variety.

Where does coffee come from?

According to The Roasterie Coffee Company, Coffae plants are mostly grown in the “Bean Belt” area which is located around the equator where the climate and conditions are suitable for growing. This includes regions of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and South America. The highest quantity of coffee per year comes from countries such as Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and Guatemala.

Can coffee grow in the US?

Coffee farms can actually be found in the United States, in the state of Hawaii. The most popular coffee is known as Kona Coffee, grown in the Kona region of The Big Island, and is said to be one of Hawaii’s largest exports according to Home Grounds. That being said, it is only responsible for approximately 0.04% of the total global coffee supply. There are approximately 900 coffee farms in what is known as the Kona Coffee Belt.

How is coffee grown?

Coffae plants are grown in the Coffee Belt region of the world in areas with rich soils, mild temperatures, frequent rain, and shaded sun according to the USA National Coffee Association. Coffae plants generally require a year of growth before they first begin to flower and around five years before they are mature enough for regular harvesting. These plants have a lifespan reaching up to 100 years, however, their optimal fruit production occurs between 7 and 20 years.

An average Coffae plant can produce approximately two pounds of seeds per year. Starbucks notes that 1 pound of beans is equivalent to approximately 64 five-ounce cups.

How is coffee harvested?

According to Coffee Masters, coffee harvesting occurs from September to March for countries north of the equator. In the south, it is from April to August. As the cherries ripen, the harvest usually lasts 2 to 3 months once a year. There are generally two ways to harvest the cherries from the trees:

1. Strip Picking: This method strips the branches of the trees entirely, pulling off leaves and branches along with the cherries. Generally, this is only done for Robusta coffee. Robusta harvesting also uses machine harvesting where the machine simply shakes the cherries from the tree.

2. Selective Picking: This method involves only selecting the cherries that have ripened and requires pickers to go over the same trees multiple times. It is also more expensive and is therefore only used for Arabica coffee which is sold at a higher price point.

Why is coffee roasted?

When Caffae seeds mature and first come out of the cherry, they are green and have a grassy aroma. When roasting the seeds to make coffee beans, it is possible to achieve 800 to 1000 different aroma compounds that give the coffee a unique flavor profile.

 How is coffee roasted?

There are three main stages for roasting coffee. Here are the steps according to the Barista Institute:

1. Drying Stage: During this stage, the Caffae seeds are carefully dehydrated using a drum roaster at approximately 160⁰C.

2. Browning Stage: Once the seeds reach a temperature of 160⁰C, they will begin to release aromas of hay or toasted bread. This is when the Maillard reaction begins to occur which is responsible for the browning.

3. Development Stage: At this stage, the seeds begin to crack, releasing the energy built up in the previous two stages. At this stage, roasters begin to slow down the roasting process in order to carefully detect the preferred aromas.

What is the roast degree?

The roast degree is how roasters enhance certain flavor and aroma profiles. Generally, a lightly roasted coffee bean will be more acidic and fruity whereas dark roasts tend to be more bitter and smokey flavored. It is said that the lightly roasted coffee beans are more distinct in their variety whereas darker roasts are harder to distinguish from others.

What is the difference between filter and espresso coffee?

According to the Barista Institute, filter coffee is typically lighter and more acidic than dark roasted espresso coffee which has low acidity and big body. This means that more flavor is extracted per cup which is why espresso is usually so bold.