Ah, the coffee tree. Just thinking about it brings a smile to our faces. The rich, robust aroma of its beans, the way the sun shines off its lush leaves…there’s nothing like it. You might be wondering, what is the average lifespan of a coffee tree? Well, let us tell you a little bit about the coffee tree and its life cycle.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Coffee Tree?
The coffee tree, also known as Coffea Rubiaceae, is a flowering plant that produces coffee beans. The plant originated in Ethiopia and was then exported to countries around the world, where it was used to create the delicious beverage we all know and love. A coffee tree can live for up to 100 years, but the average lifespan is between 20 and 30 years.
The coffee tree is genuinely a tropical tree. That’s why you won’t see a lot of domestically-grown coffee plants. The only places you’ll see coffee plantations in the United States are Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and small parts of California.
Two Key Coffee Tree Types
Two significant types of coffee shrubs that you need to know generally. Because they produce the main types of coffee we consume daily. These are Coffea Arabica, which makes Arabica coffee beans. And the other one is Coffea Canephora, which makes Robusta coffee beans. However, there are more than 6,000 other shrubs in the same genus, with perhaps 25-100 producing coffee beans as we know them.
As you should expect, the tree’s varietal plays an enormous role in the flavor of your coffee. The varietal type, where it’s grown, its soil condition, and the surrounding plant types – all impact how the coffee beans taste and aroma when they’re brewed.
Coffee Tree’s Different Stages
During a coffee tree’s 20 years lifespan, it will produce approximately 40,000 beans. That may sound like a lot but don’t forget the fact that it takes several beans to make a single cup of coffee. This is also the reason why coffee production requires mass-scale production lines. Producing coffee beans isn’t a simple process either for the tree or the farmer. It’s a constant working and caring process during its 20 years of lifespan.
A coffee tree begins its life as a seedling, which is then transplanted into soil and watered regularly. After about 3 years, the tree will start to produce flowers. Once the flowers are pollinated, they will turn into fruits known as coffee cherries. It takes approximately 6 to 9 months for the cherries to ripen, at which point they are ready to be harvested.
Once the cherries are picked, they are hulled and dried before being roasted and ground into coffee beans. The beans are then brewed into coffee and enjoyed by people all over the world!
Conclusion
So there you have it: everything you need to know about the lifespan of a coffee tree. Next time you’re enjoying a cup of joe, take a moment to appreciate all that went into making it—from the humble beginnings of a seedling to the final product in your cup. And if you want to show your appreciation, buy some fair-trade coffee! It’ll make both you and the farmers who grew your beans happy. 🙂
