How Coffee is Made

Coffee is a well-known word in America. Approximately 50% of the US population has integrated coffee into their morning routine. What makes this drink so popular among Americans and how is it made? This article will discuss the process of making coffee and the theories behind why it is in such demand. 

Coffea Plant 

To have coffee, you have to grow coffee beans. Coffee beans are made from the seeds of a plant called a Coffea plant. These plants are grown in the “Bean Belt”, a strip of land ranging from Papua New Guinea to Costa Rica. After the seeds have been planted, it can take up to four years for the Coffea plant to bear fruit. Once it does, a mature seed will turn a bright red color, indicating that it is ready to be picked. This red color gave the beans the name coffee cherries. Coffee cherries are very similar to the look and size of a cranberry. After the beans are picked, they are processed and sundried. 

Milling Process 

Before the beans are shipped to coffee warehouses all across the United States, their top layer is stripped through a milling process. When this layer is removed, the beans are a light green color. After the beans are sorted for size and quality, they are packaged in burlap sacks and sent to coffee warehouses for roasting.   

Green Coffee to Roasted 

A green coffee seed is called green coffee. This is how coffee warehouses receive the beans so they can roast them in their special process. To roast them, a worker will pour a portion of the raw green beans into a machine called a rotating drum. This drum is kept at a temperature of around 240 degrees. The time the beans spend in the rotating drum depends on the flavor the coffee company wants to achieve. The longer the beans roast, the bolder the brew will be. On average, the beans spend around 12-15 minutes in the machine until they are released into a cooling tray. Once cooled, the roasted coffee beans are packaged and ready to be turned into a hot cup of coffee. 

Why is Coffee so Popular? 

The reason Americans drink so much coffee can vary from person to person. While there can be many reasons why someone drinks coffee, the four main reasons are caffeine, flavor, culture, or health benefits. 

Caffeine 

Caffeine is a stimulant that makes people feel more alert and energetic. The average cup of coffee contains around 95 mg of caffeine. Factors that can affect how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee include how the beans were roasted, the size of the cup or mug, and the type of coffee (espresso, decaf, brewed). There are differing opinions as to if caffeine is good for you to drink, just be sure you do not succeed at 400 mg in a day. At that level, unpleasant side effects such as a racing heart rate can happen. 

Flavor 

Coffee has a very unique flavor that many enjoy. It can be described as earthy and slightly bitter. Some like to drink coffee black while others enjoy a few additions like milk and caramel sauce. No matter how you like your coffee, many cultivate a liking for the taste. 

Culture 

Coffee culture is the word used to describe the set of traditions people do when consuming a cup of coffee. This might include catching up with friends, reading a book, visiting a coffee shop, working on a computer, or any other activities someone participates in while they drink coffee.  

Health Benefits 

Aside from the taste and culture of coffee, there are many health benefits it provides. Some research has suggested that consuming coffee can reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes, improve your brain health, fight depression, and lower your chance of having a stroke. 

No matter the reason you drink coffee, the next time you grab a cup, consider all the processes that had to complete for it to end in your hand. Considering the journey makes the drink all the more enjoyable.