From Farm to Cup: The Journey of Coffee Beans
Every great cup of coffee has a story—one that starts long before it reaches your mug. Coffee farming is an incredible process that requires patience, skill, and dedication. At Summit Sips, we love serving up handcrafted lattes, matcha, and specialty drinks, but today, we’re diving into the journey of coffee beans and how they go from farm to cup.
If you love coffee, you’ll love learning about the people, places, and processes behind every sip!
1. Coffee Grows in the “Bean Belt”
Coffee trees need the perfect mix of warm temperatures, rainfall, and high altitudes to thrive. That’s why coffee is grown in the Bean Belt—a region located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
The top coffee-producing countries include:
☕ Brazil – The world’s largest coffee producer
☕ Colombia – Known for smooth, well-balanced coffee
☕ Ethiopia – The birthplace of coffee, with rich, complex flavors
☕ Vietnam – The top producer of robusta coffee
☕ Guatemala – Home to high-altitude, full-bodied coffee
Each region creates unique flavors depending on the soil, climate, and elevation.
2. It Takes Years for a Coffee Tree to Produce Beans 🌱
Did you know it takes about 3-4 years for a newly planted coffee tree to produce its first crop? Coffee farming requires patience, as trees must mature before they can be harvested.
The coffee cherries (which hold the beans) turn bright red when they’re ripe and ready to be picked.
3. Most Coffee is Still Picked by Hand
Because coffee cherries ripen at different times, many farms still hand-pick them to ensure the best quality. This careful selection helps maintain the flavor and consistency of the beans.
In some places, coffee is picked by machine, but hand-picking is common for high-quality, specialty coffee.
4. Processing Coffee Beans is an Art ☕
Once picked, coffee cherries go through a processing method to remove the outer fruit and reveal the beans inside. There are two main methods:
✔️ Washed (or Wet) Process – The fruit is removed with water, resulting in clean, bright flavors.
✔️ Natural (or Dry) Process – The beans dry inside the fruit, creating sweet, fruity flavors.
Each method affects the final taste and aroma of the coffee!
5. Coffee Beans Are Green Before They’re Roasted
Ever seen unroasted coffee? Raw coffee beans are green before they hit the roaster. The roasting process brings out the rich, toasty flavors we associate with coffee.
Lighter roasts keep more of the original bean’s flavor, while darker roasts develop bold, smoky notes.
6. Coffee Farming Supports Millions of People
More than 125 million people worldwide depend on coffee farming for their livelihood! Many farms are small, family-owned businesses that have been passed down for generations.
Supporting ethically sourced coffee helps ensure fair wages and sustainable farming practices for growers worldwide.
7. Summit Sips Brings the Coffee Experience to You!
While we don’t grow our own coffee (yet 😉), we love bringing high-quality, handcrafted drinks to Boise events! Whether you’re hosting a wedding, baby shower, graduation party, or corporate event, our mobile coffee cart makes every occasion more special.
Now booking events in Boise & the Treasure Valley!
Let’s bring the best coffee experience to your celebration—one sip at a time. Contact us today!