The story of coffee begins in Ethiopia around 850 AD, where a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a particular tree. Curious, he tried them himself and experienced the same effect. Monks later used the beans to create a drink that helped them stay awake during prayers, marking the beginning of coffee’s long journey as a global beverage.
Coffee trees, which are actually evergreen shrubs, have glossy, dark green leaves that can last up to five years. These plants produce small, fragrant white flowers that bloom in clusters and only last for a few days. Once pollinated, the flowers give way to coffee cherries, which take several months to mature before harvesting.
A coffee cherry consists of several layers, each playing a role in the coffee’s flavor development. The skin (exocarp) serves as the outer protective layer.
