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There are many types of coffee that grow in the wild, but only 2 commercial varieties are used.
One is the Arabica which grows from 2,000 to 6,000 feet; it grows primarily in Central and South America and Eastern Africa. Although Arabica beans represent 75% of the world's production, only about 10% qualify as specialty coffees sold by gourmet retailers. The higher the altitude, the more mild the beans are. They are more expensive, but are a better tasting bean with no aftertaste.
Robustas are grown in wet humid tropical forests and valleys between sea level and 2,000 feet. They are, cost-wise, much cheaper than Arabicas. They do have a stronger, heavier body, are more disease resistant, and have twice the caffeine as the Arabicas. Very seldom will you find Robusta beans in a gourmet store; they are used in instant coffees and in most popular grocery store coffees.
Coffee grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates,
between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Although the coffee plant
is technically an evergreen shrub, it is referred to as a tree. One reason
is that unless pruned, a coffee plant can grow more than 20 feet high.
The coffee tree yields white blossoms scented like jasmine. The blossoms last only about 3 days; six to nine months later, little berries appear. These berries become cherries and turn red when ripe. The coffee beans are inside these cherries; you could call them the seeds of the fruit.
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Beans on the same tree, but picked six months apart, can, will, and usually do taste different. There can be different growing climates during the year, and this effects the taste of the beans. Coffee companies must sample beans continuously and buy from different areas to keep the taste the same month after month, year after year.
Coffee trees need stable temperatures between 68 to 75 degrees F. They need well drained, rich soil, and about 60 to 80 inches of rainfall a year. Pruning, weed control, fertilization, and - in some areas - irrigation are normal for the care of coffee trees. Pruning to about 6 or 7 feet is normal, and without weed control a tree can lose 20% of its yield.
A coffee tree can produce for up to 25 years, so it is a must to replace nutrients in the soil. If all things work right, it takes 3 to 5 years for a tree to produce its first crop. The average tree produces about 3500 cherries per year; that's about 1 to 1.5 pounds of roasted coffee. Since the cherries ripen at different times (like a tomato) on some trees, hand picking is the only way to remove the fruit. There are areas with some distinct seasonality with cherries generally ripening at the same time, strip picking (one rapid movement picks the cherries from the branch) can be used.
| Riffel's has an excellent product and excellent service. They are an all around outstanding company. |
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Caremen Lopez
Owner
Connie's Mexico Cafe
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| Riffel's provides excellent coffee and outstanding service. They always go the extra mile to help better serve our customers. |
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Rezzi Partovi
Manager Picadilly Market Grill
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