Coffee is the second
largest commodity (after oil) in
international commerce with a value of $10 billion per year.
Over 8 billion pounds of coffee is grown in 50 countries,
providing jobs to more than 20 million people.
HISTORY OF WHERE
COFFEE BEANS COME FROM:
Coffee was first
discovered in Ethiopia around the year 900
and came to Europe in the early 1600's. America became the
land of coffee drinkers following the Boston Tea Party in 1773.
Most of the world's
coffee is grown within a broad geographic
band bordered by the Tropic of Capricorn to the south. Within
its region, an average year round temperature of 70 degrees
Fahrenheit, with little chance of frost, and abundant rainfall
provide the ideal conditions the coffee plant needs to thrive.
The species of bean grown
and the method of cultivation vary
from region to region and country to country. About two thirds of
growers cultivate the fine-flavored, delicate arabica, an elogated
bean that requires an altitude of 3,000 to 6,000 feet. The
robusta, a small round bean, is grown with at lower altitudes
and therefore is more abundant and less expensive.
It takes 3-5 years
for a tree to produce coffee. Each tree yields
about 3500 cherries or about one pound of coffee per year. 
Today, beans are
harvested either
mechanically or by hand, depending
on the steepness of the terrain and the
grade of coffee. Harvesting by hand is
generally the more selective method to ensure quality.
Much of the coffee sold
in supermarkets is a blend of arabica
and robusta beans. Better quality coffees are available and are
often labeled according to place of origin such as Colombian...
one of the quality coffees that we sell. Some highly prized
coffees are labeled by specific growing regions, such as
Jamaican Blue Mountain, and even the estate and variety
of bean may be identified.
Coffee Perks has many premium coffees available for you to choose from. Contact us for details or view
'The Coffee Shop'
for our extensive Estate and Gourmet Blends.
