“We believe that coffee is more than just a drink: It’s a culture, an economy, an art, a science”
- National Coffee Association
Where does coffee come from? When most people think about the coffee they drink they probably don’t know exactly where it came from. When you take a sip you are, I hope, aware that the coffee you are drinking came from your cupboard, or the barista at the counter, or even the 7-eleven coffee machine. Past that you probably know that the beans were most likely ordered wholesale by the coffee shop or the store you bought it from, and you might even have a vague sense of what part of the world it came from. Most of us don’t really have the time or energy to research the exact process by which our coffee made it into our cups. However, most of us also have some interest in coffee. It may just be the hero to our mornings or in an artistic appreciation. The story of coffee is intricate and can teach us a lot about community; so brew a cup and come learn a little.
Coffee Around the World
Coffee starts its journey in the “Bean Belt” which is a fabulous name for the zone around the equator that provides the ideal climate for growing coffee beans. If you have to guess which country your coffee comes from you should probably, I mean definitely, guess one of the areas that lie within this zone.
Coffee farms can range in size. Farms in places like Mexico and Kenya tend to be smaller and farms in places like Brazil are usually quite large. From the time a coffee seed (what most people call a coffee bean) is planted, it can take 3 to 4 years before the resulting tree bears fruit. Harvesting usually takes place one time a year and can be done by machine or by hand. In order to harvest the most ripe cherries, the fruit from which comes the coffee seed, harvesting must be done by hand over a few week period. This is followed by the processing of the bean, which can be done through a wet or dry process. Undoubtedly, the life cycle of a coffee bean before it is exported is a laborious task that requires a large community. In fact, it is estimated that 125 million people around the world rely on the coffee industry for work. This means that if coffee farms have a bad year or if the market price falls, it affects a great number of people. This is why Fairtrade coffee is very important for many coffee farmworkers. Fairtrade ensures that they are paid a fair price no matter what market prices are. Here is one video from the Fairtrade Foundation about how fair trade coffee affects farmers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8g80SkGh8E&feature=emb_title
And if you would like to buy fairtrade coffee here are a couple of links.
Coffee at Home
Communities centered around coffee have developed in our own towns and cities. Coffeehouses have become a well-known place to not only to get lattes and flat whites but also to find wifi and a quiet study space. A coffeehouse isn't really a “coffeehouse” without tables, counters, and comfortable chairs where people can sit and work or meet with friends. Coffeehouses also represent a point of culture. Coffee from around the world is served and coffee houses offer a variety of ways for their visitors to experience culture: bookshelves filled with used books, music from local bands or pop radio, and posters offering art gallery viewings and club meetings. While many people think of Starbucks when they think of a coffeehouse, most coffee houses have a unique history and esthetic that has been created by a dedicated team of baristas, owners, and roasters. In fact, barista and roaster communities are filled with people so knowledgeable about coffee they deserve as much prestige as wine sommeliers. Coffee has its own language https://ineedcoffee.com/latte-lingo/ , education https://yourcoffeebuzz.com/best-barista-schools/, and competitions https://scanews.coffee/2018/01/03/national-coffee-competitions-a-recap-of-new-champions-from-around-the-globe/.
Coffee is an extensive subject with many people who are dedicated to studying it from every angle. Universities such as UC Davis have multiple courses covering almost every aspect of coffee. There are also many sources available on the internet for people to educate themselves on coffee. I would encourage you to look into the aspects of coffee that interest you, whether it be coffee biology, coffee artistry, or coffee culture. Also, look out next week for more information from me on the subject.