Difference between revisions of "Cafe-"

# As a young boy growing up in Tumaga, Zamboanga City, I used to go visit my friend who lived by the tallest and biggest tree in Tumaga called the banuang. Under that over 300 foot tall tree grew some Liberica coffee trees. It bears fruit all year long. The berries are so sweet. I would climb the tall Liberica coffee tree and gather the fruits. They are about the size of marble. I would peal off the red husk and and suck on the sweet seeds of the liberica.

File:Coffee beans and flowers on a branch.jpg|stem of a coffee tree bearing flowers and berries in stages

File:Coffee robusta berries and leaves.png|Robusta coffee berries and leaves - the leaves are a little bit bigger and more oblong shaped than the arabica

File:Coffee robusta berries and leaves2.png|Robusta coffee berries and leaves - the leaves are a little bit bigger and more oblong shaped than the arabica

File:Coffee arabica grafted into robusta.png|Arabica grafted into robusta root stock. Produce arabica berries but keeps the sturdy traits of the robusta and prevents [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_root-knot_nematode root-knot nematode] (worm-like parasites) infestation.

File:Coffee arabica berries and leaves.jpg|Leaves and berries of the Arabica coffee

File:Coffee arabica berries and leaves2.jpg|Leaves and berries of the Arabica coffee

File:Coffee liberica beans size.png|Liberica berries compared to hand size

In modern open area plantations, growers often use chemicals to induce synchronous flowering, which reduces the natural staggered flowering pattern. The flowers and berries grow on stems that sprout from the branches. Once the berries have ripened, the section where the flowers bloomed no longer produces flowers, causing the lower section of the stem to become bare. If left untrimmed, a coffee tree can have a lanky and bare appearance at the bottom.

Robusta plants are slightly smaller in size compared to their arabica counterparts, although if left untrimmed, they can reach heights of up to 35 feet. To facilitate convenient berry harvesting, coffee plantations typically prune robusta trees to a maximum height of 8 feet. The leaves of robusta coffee are slightly larger than those of arabica, measuring approximately 3x6 inches.

The beans of robusta coffee are almost round, resembling an egg shape. Robusta trees yield a higher quantity of berries per tree per season compared to other varieties.

Arabica coffee is highly regarded for its affinity for high-altitude growing conditions and its ability to self-pollinate. In contrast to robusta, it offers a milder taste, with reduced bitterness and lower caffeine content. Arabica trees have a remarkable height potential, often growing tall and lanky, reaching lanky heights of 30 to 40 feet. To facilitate more convenient berry picking, plantations commonly prune the trees to manageable heights.

Arabica leaves are relatively smaller, typically measuring about 2.5x5 inches, while its root system extends deep into the ground, providing increased resilience to drought compared to robusta. However, arabica is particularly susceptible to the destructive [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_root-knot_nematode root-knot nematode pest]. The oblong-shaped arabica beans are slightly larger than robusta beans, and the raw berries offer a subtly sweeter flavor profile.

Liberica, characterized by its significantly larger leaves compared to Robusta or Arabica, is a coffee variety that bears fruit throughout the year. The size of its berries is approximately twice that of Robusta or Arabica, while the beans themselves are only about one-third larger. The larger cherry of Liberica is due to its higher "meaty" content, making it a preferred choice for animals and young children to enjoy. Its fruity taste is pleasantly sweet. Unlike Arabica or Robusta, the Liberica fruit takes a little longer to mature, with a maturation period of up to one year.

The number of berries that can be harvested from a mature Liberica coffee tree can vary significantly based on factors such as the age and health of the tree, growing conditions, and agricultural practices. On average, a well-maintained and productive Liberica tree can yield anywhere from 2 to 5 kilograms of coffee cherries per tree in a single harvest season. However, it's important to recognize that these figures are approximate and subject to considerable variation. Climate, soil fertility, and cultivation techniques also play a significant role in influencing the yield of a coffee tree.

An individual Liberica coffee berry typically weighs around 5 to 7 grams on average. Considering the average yield of 3.5 kilograms of cherries per year and using 5 grams as the average weight of each cherry, it can be estimated that one tree can produce approximately 700 cherries annually. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that these calculations are influenced by various factors, including growing conditions, the maturity of the berry, and specific characteristics of the Liberica variety.

However, as coffee trees age and their branches become dense and cumbersome, a more drastic measure known as "stumping" becomes necessary. Stumping involves cutting down the old tree to a height of about 18 to 20 inches from the ground, leaving a slanted cut of around 70% to prevent rot. Coffee trees, being coppice trees, possess the remarkable ability to regenerate. After stumping, several new stems, or suckers, will sprout from the base of the tree. It is crucial to select and retain only 2 to 3 healthy stems while removing the rest. These chosen stems will become the main trunk, growing alongside the new branches that will eventually bear coffee berries. Within approximately two years, the new suckers will yield fruits, renewing the tree's productivity.

In the past, our coffee grove predominantly comprised Robusta trees that had stood tall on the land even before my parents became its proud owners. Every year, I would join my sisters in the laborious task of harvesting coffee berries. Afterward, my mother would diligently dry them, skillfully using a large mortar and pestle to separate the dried skin from the precious seeds. These seeds were carefully stored, awaiting the moment when they would be roasted and brewed into a satisfying cup of coffee. My world revolved around those robusta coffee trees, until a serendipitous encounter changed everything.

Initially hesitant, I considered the effort involved in extracting the sweetness from the small coffee berries. However, my friend persisted, emphasizing the size of the tree and its climbable branches. Intrigued, we ascended the coffee tree, where my friend plucked a ripe berry and handed it to me. To my astonishment, the berry was as big as a marble, at least three times larger than the familiar coffee berries I knew.

Filled with unwavering excitement, I eagerly bit into the fruit, being mindful to avoid the seed, and savored its delightfully meaty texture and heavenly flavor. Rolling the seeds around in my mouth, I extracted every last bit of sweetness and goodness before swiftly spitting them out. With a renewed sense of delight, I continued picking more berries. Intrigued by the tree’s ability to bear ripe fruit even outside the coffee fruit-bearing season, I turned to my friend for an explanation. To my surprise, he was unable to provide an answer, but he did inform me that this particular tree produced fruit throughout the year, adding to the mystique of our delightful Liberica coffee adventures.