They can be small shrubs to tall trees, with leaves from one to 16 inches in size, and in colors from purple or yellow to the predominant dark green. Botanists have disagreed ever since on the exact classification, since coffee plants can range widely. The genus was first described in the 18th century by the Swedish botanist, Carolus Linneaus, who also described Coffea Arabica in his Species Plantarum in 1753. Experts estimate that there are anywhere from 25 to 100 species of coffee plants. Within the genus there are over 500 genera and 6,000 species of tropical trees and shrubs. The trees grow best in rich soil, with mild temperatures, frequent rain and shaded sun.Ĭoffee traces its origin to a genus of plants known as Coffea. The average coffee tree produces 10 pounds of coffee cherry per year, or 2 pounds of green beans.Īll commercially grown coffee is from a region of the world called the Coffee Belt. Proper care can maintain and even increase their output over the years, depending on the variety.

While coffee plants can live up to 100 years, they are generally the most productive between the ages of 7 and 20.

It takes nearly a year for a cherry to mature after first flowering, and about 5 years of growth to reach full fruit production. Because it grows in a continuous cycle, it’s not unusual to see flowers, green fruit and ripe fruit simultaneously on a single tree. Each tree is covered with green, waxy leaves growing opposite each other in pairs.

fee /ˈkôfē,ˈkäfē/ noun The berries harvested from species of Coffea plants.Įveryone recognizes a roasted coffee bean, but you might not recognize an actual coffee plant.Ĭoffee trees are pruned short to conserve their energy and aid in harvesting, but can grow to more than 30 feet (9 meters) high.

Coffee & Orange Blossoms by Nate Scholz