Coffee is usually harvested only once a year during the dry season however, some countries do produce a second, smaller harvest such as Colombia’s mitaca harvest. The first harvest of a coffee plant is usually around five years after planting. The coffee cherry is initially green and turns to red, yellow or orange when it has matured and is ready for harvesting. The fruit is known as a coffee cherry due to its resemblance to normal cherries. When a coffee tree reaches maturity, it begins to bear fruit in clusters along its branches. It’s important to have a distinct wet season for growing the coffee and a dry season for harvesting the coffee cherries. Because robusta is hardier than arabica, it prefers higher temperatures between 20 – 30✬ (68 – 86✯).Īrabica coffee needs an annual rainfall of 1500 – 2500mm (60 – 100in), and robusta needs 2000mm – 3000mm (80 – 120in). Robusta is generally grown at lower altitudes, from 200 – 600m (650 – 2000ft), but it’s even able to grow at sea level. Ideal temperatures for arabica are between 15 to 25✬ (59 – 77✯). The arabica variety has to be planted at higher altitudes than robusta, around 1000 – 2000m (3300 – 6600ft) above sea level. Arabica grows more slowly and is more costly to produce however, it produces a vastly superior cup of coffee.Ĭoffee is planted at elevation because the temperature is cooler and more stable at altitude. For best results, coffee plants should ideally be planted in areas that are hilly with volcanic soil that is rich in nitrogen.
0 kommentar(er)
