The Life Cycle of Your Craft Coffee Beans
At Town Coffee Company, we believe in sharing the story behind every cup of our specialty craft coffee. From the flowering of the coffee tree to the moment it reaches your cup, each step in the coffee crop life cycle is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of the farmers and artisans involved. Join us as we explore this journey, month by month.
The Coffee Crop Life Cycle: A Year in the Making
January - February: The Flowering Phase The journey begins in the coffee-growing regions around the world, where coffee trees start to bloom. Coffee trees typically flower once or twice a year, depending on the climate. The delicate white blossoms fill the air with a jasmine-like fragrance, signaling the start of the coffee production process. Pollination is crucial at this stage, as it ensures that the flowers can develop into cherries. While coffee plants are self-pollinating, the presence of bees and other pollinators can enhance this process, improving both yield and quality.
March - June: Cherry Development As the flowers fall, they give way to the formation of small green cherries. These cherries gradually grow and mature over the next several months. During this time, they go through a series of color changes—from green to yellow, and finally to a deep red or purple when fully ripe. The maturation period is crucial, as it directly affects the quality and flavor profile of the coffee beans inside. In higher elevations and mountainous growing regions, cooler temperatures slow the development of the cherries, extending this phase by several weeks or even months. This slower maturation often results in more complex flavors and higher-quality beans.
July - September: The Harvest Harvest time varies depending on the region and altitude, but it generally occurs from mid-summer to early autumn. Hand-picking is the preferred method for harvesting specialty coffee, ensuring that only the ripest cherries are selected. This labor-intensive process is essential for maintaining the high quality of craft coffee. In some high-altitude regions, the harvest can be delayed, extending into October due to the prolonged development period of the cherries.
October - November: Processing Once harvested, the cherries undergo processing to extract the beans. There are several methods used, including washed (wet) processing, natural (dry) processing, and honey processing. Each method impacts the flavor of the final coffee. Washed processing involves removing the cherry pulp and fermenting the beans before drying them. Natural processing leaves the cherries to dry in the sun with the beans inside, resulting in a fruitier flavor. Honey processing is a hybrid method that leaves some of the pulp on the beans during drying, producing a unique, sweet flavor profile.
December - January: Shipment to Exporters After processing, the green coffee beans are sorted, graded, and packed into bags for shipment to exporters. These exporters then transport the beans from the coffee-growing countries to destinations around the world. This phase marks the beginning of the beans' journey from the farm to your cup.
February - March: Arrival in the USA Upon arrival in the United States, the beans are stored in warehouses, awaiting distribution. This is a critical time for maintaining the quality and freshness of the beans. Proper storage conditions are essential to preserve the beans' unique flavors until they are ready to be roasted.
April - May: Distribution to Artisan Roasters The final leg of the journey brings the green coffee beans to small artisan roasters like Town Coffee Company. Here, the magic truly happens. Our skilled roasters carefully profile each batch of beans to bring out their distinct characteristics. Whether it's a light, medium, or dark roast, our goal is to highlight the beans' natural flavors and nuances.
June - July: From Our Roastery to Your Cup Once roasted to perfection, the coffee is packaged and shipped directly to you. Whether you enjoy it as a morning ritual or an afternoon delight, each cup of Town Coffee Company coffee is the culmination of a year-long journey that started with a single flower.
We hope this glimpse into the life cycle of our craft coffee deepens your appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into every batch. Thank you for being a part of our coffee community.
Cheers to great coffee, The Town Coffee Company Team
