Coffee grows in tropical and subtropical climates - usually no more than 1,000 miles from the equator - and will grow at altitudes between sea level and 7,000 feet. Coffee trees love warm temperatures; shade, which protects the tree from direct sunlight and from high temperatures; well drained, mineral rich soil; and between 60 to 80 inches of rain per year.

Coffee flowers

Coffee trees begin their lives in nurseries and stay there until they reach 18 to 24 inches tall, typically after 1 year. They are then transported to a farm and planted 10 to 12 feet apart. Coffee can grow to be 20 feet tall, but due to the difficulty in harvesting, coffee is usually pruned to grow 8-10 feet tall (depending on the country.)

It takes 4-5 years for a coffee tree to start producing coffee. Once mature, it goes through an annual cycle of development.  The flowering of the trees signifies the first part of this cycle. Small, white, aromatic flowers cover the branches of the coffee tree for 2-3 days and release a scent similiar to jasmine. 

Green coffee cherries

Six to nine months later small green cherries that hold two coffee seeds appear. During the ripening process, the coffee cherries evolve from green to yellow, then, at their peak of ripeness, to deep red. A few species turn dark orange/yellow when they are ripe.

These berries are referred to as coffee cherries because of the resemblance of their color, shape, and size to cherries.  The ripe red coffee cherries have several layers. Within the tough outside layer there is a fleshy pulp surrounding a layer of protective parchment and silverskin that encloses two round or oval seeds or 'beans' that are flat on one side.  

Ripe coffee cherries

The beans can be planted to grow more coffee or processed to produce green coffee beans that will later be roasted and ground to make fresh coffee.

Two primary species of coffee are grown in the world to produce the coffee we drink: Coffea canephora and Coffea arabica, commonly referred to as Robusta and Arabica.  Although these two species are from the same family, they are very different. Robusta tends to be grown at lower altitudes (sea level to 2,000 feet) and is more resistant to disease compared to Arabica.  For the coffee drinker, the most notable differences between the two are in flavor and caffeine content. 

Equal Exchange uses 100% Arabica coffee beans for all of our single origin coffees and blends.