Table of Contents
Introduction
how to harvest coffee, this is a basic question that always occurs in every coffee consumer’s mind. In this article we are going to explore this query.
Coffee beans are coming from coffee cherries that are the fruit of the coffee plant. Coffee is produced all around the globe, and because of different regions, geographies, and farm sizes, various varieties of coffee are available in the market with different rates.
From coffee farm to delicious cup of coffee, this whole process is known as coffee harvesting. Harvesting is a crucial process because it not only influences the entire production process, including roasting and brewing, but also sets the tone of coffee quality.
Importance of proper harvesting
Proper harvesting is necessary, not only for the delicious coffee profile but also for a sustainable farming practice. By ensuring proper harvesting techniques, farmers can optimise the yield. This will contribute to high coffee quality; hence, it will be satisfying for coffee lovers as well as for the farmers as a better coffee grower. Harvest starts from ripe cherries. Excellent harvesting ensures the ideal sugar content and flavour potential in one ripe cherry.
Basics of coffee plant
Life cycle of a coffee plant
The first thing you should know about how to harvest coffee is the life cycle of the coffee plant, which is given as follows
- Seed germination: Like all other plants, the coffee plant cycle also starts from seed. Seeds will sprout within a few weeks.
- Vegetative growth: After seed germination, it will take almost 2 to 3 years to convert into leafy branches.
- Flowering: Now, after proper vegetative growth, it will go into the fruiting phase. This phase depends on climate conditions. In this condition, a small, white, fragrant flower is produced.
- Cherry development: After flowering, the stage of development of coffee cherries will come. 6 to 9 months will be taken by the ordinary coffee plant, and 9 to 11 months will be taken by the Arabic coffee plant.
- Stage of harvesting: Now, the last stage is harvesting. When the cherries reach full ripeness, they will harvest.
What is coffee cherry
The understanding of how to harvest coffee starts from coffee cherries. Coffee cherry is a fruit of the coffee plant. These cherries contain coffee seeds or coffee beans. At the time of ripening, it is usually in green colour, and then it changes into different shades depending on the variety, like yellow, orange, red, etc. The coffee cherry has the following layers.
- Exocarp: A shiny thin skin.
- Mesocarp: A soft, sugary pulpy layer.
- Endocarp: A parchment shell over the seed.
- Seeds: Inside the endocarp known as coffee beans.
Ideal condition for coffee growth
Now, one of the important parameters of how to harvest coffee is to understand the ideal conditions, which are given as follows
- Climate: Tropical climate with a temperature range between 60-70°F (15-24°C) is considered ideal.
- Altitude: Higher altitudes, especially for Arabica coffee beans, are considered ideal.
- Soil: Soil with high organic content is not good because it may cause vibrant flavour. Well-drained soil with 6 to 6.5 pH is considered good.
- Rainfall: 40 to 80 inches (1,000 to 2,000 mm) annual rainfall is considered ideal for flowering and fruiting.
- Shade & wind protection: Coffee plants are ideally grown under the shade trees, which protect them from excessive sun and extreme wind.
When to harvest coffee
Determine right time
Determining the right time is also important for those who want to understand how to harvest coffee. The right time will be determined by first observing the colour; if cherries ripen into bright red or yellow or orange (depending on variety), it means the peak level of sugar has developed. A refractometer is being used for checking that sugar or brix level. The 2nd thing is slightly soft texture; mature cherries are firm and soft. The 3rd thing is to check a sample; usually, an experienced farmer checks a small sample to ensure that cherries are ready for harvest.
Sign of mature cherries
- Colour: As we discuss above, the bright red, yellow, orange, and purple colours are the signs of mature cherries.
- Size and Firmness: Full size with a plump, firm texture is also the sign of mature cherries.
- Taste: If the cherries taste is sweet and juicy, it means that the flavour is completely developed.
- Detachment from branches easily: Like all other ordinary fruits, if coffee cherries are grown completely, they can easily be removed from branches with just a gentle pull.
Methods of how to harvest coffee
Now, in this section, we are going to explore how to harvest coffee. Basically, harvesting coffee has two methods, both of which have their separate pros and cons. Both methods are given as follows
Hand picking harvesting (Traditional method)
Tools and equipment
- Lightweight harvesting basket
- Gloves and sun hats
- Pruning shears
Steps
- The worker inspected each plant by walking through the coffee plantation.
- During inspection, the worker plucked the ripe cherries carefully and placed them in the basket.
- For removing unripe/overripe cherries, cherries are passing through a sorting process.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1)Due to the manual harvesting by workers, the chances of harvesting only ripe cherries are high. 2)Because of harvesting only ripe cherries, the chances of waste because of plucked-off unripe cherries are minimised. 3)This method is very ideal for those areas, like rugged or steep, where machines cannot operate. | 1)This method required significant manpower and time, which caused an increase in production cost. 2)This method is not ideal for large areas because it consumes more time and manpower. |
Mechanical harvesting
Tools and equipment
- Machine equipped with vibrating arms or brushes
- Tractors for transportation
Steps
- Machines are driven through all the coffee plants.
- During this drive, the machine shakes and brushes the coffee cherries.
- As the result of this shake/brush, the cherries are plucked off.
- These plucked-off cherries are collected and transported.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| This method is faster than the previous traditional method because of machine involvement. Because of using machines, no manpower is required; hence, labour costs will be reduced. It performs a uniform harvest by collecting all cherries. | Required extensive post-harvest sorting because it harvested unripe/overripe cherries. Required high capital investment to purchase and maintain harvesting machines and equipment. |