Coffee is a Fruit!?!

For many of us, coffee is a daily ritual, an essential part of our mornings, and a go-to drink during a long day. However, what many people may not know is that coffee is not just a beverage but a fruit! Yes, you read that right - coffee is a fruit, and it is harvested from the coffee plant's cherry-like fruit.

The coffee plant is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Rubiaceae family, and it grows best in tropical regions with a warm and humid climate. The coffee fruit, also known as the coffee cherry, is oval-shaped and usually bright red or yellow when it is ripe. The fruit contains two seeds, which are what we know as coffee beans. However, before they become the roasted beans that we brew, they go through a lengthy process.

The coffee fruit is harvested when it is ripe, usually by handpicking or machine harvesting. After the harvest, the fruit is processed to remove the outer layers, leaving the coffee beans behind. There are two primary methods of processing coffee: the dry method and the wet method.

The dry method involves drying the whole coffee cherries in the sun, which takes longer but produces a more traditional flavor. The wet method, on the other hand, involves removing the outer layers of the fruit before washing and fermenting the beans. This method is faster and results in a brighter, cleaner flavor.

Once the coffee beans are separated from the fruit, they are ready for roasting, which is where the magic happens and where we step in. Roasting the coffee beans transforms their flavor, aroma, and color, making them suitable for brewing. Depending on the roast level, coffee can taste anywhere from light and fruity to dark and robust.

Coffee, being a fruit, offers a variety of health benefits. It contains antioxidants, which help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Coffee also contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that can improve mental alertness and performance. Additionally, coffee has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and liver disease.