Many people even the coffee fans out there still have no idea what a Coffee tree looks like. Most would imagine the picture of black coffee beans that are already roasted. If you are curious, this article will briefly share some descriptions of your favourite beverage’s plant. Below is the anatomy of a coffee tree and some information about each part of the Coffee tree.
1. The Tree
Coffee trees can grow up to 15 meters tall under normal growth. Despite being capable of growing more than 40 feet tall, usually, the tree’s height is controlled and pruned short at a length of 180 cm to 185 cm in commercial planting.
2. Roots
The roots of Coffee trees act as a support so the plant will not collapse easily. The branches where the roots grow are where the absorption of nutrients and water the plant needs is taking place. The growth of coffee tree roots depends a lot on the humidity, physical condition of the soil, as well as rainfall distribution in the area.
3. Trunks
The trunks of the Coffee tree, which are grey and woody, grow vertically. At the main stems, there are shoots and segments where each segment has foliage growing in opposite directions. There are also fragments of branches on tree trunks, some are growing vertically while some are horizontal.
4. Leaves
Coffee leaves are usually dark green but you can also find them in some species with purple or yellow leaves. In terms of size, the leaves can be measured up to 40 cm while in terms of shape, the leaves are oval-like, spread to the side, and tapered at the ends. In addition, the leaves are also wavy with fine spines and look waxy depending on the species. The leaves usually grow as pairs in grooves but you can also find some which surround the trunks.
5. Flowers
The Coffee flowers are quite small in size and have a fragrant smell. The colour is generally white, some are yellowish while the petals are green. Mature Coffee flowers will develop their petals and undergo pollination forming fruits. It usually will take about 8 to 11 months for the fruits to ripe depending on the species as well other factors during cultivation.
6. Fruits
Coffee fruits are commonly known as coffee cherries which consist of rich, slimy filling. When the cherries reach maturity, it has sweet tastes and the texture is similar to grapes. It consists of three parts namely outer skin, filling or pulp, and parchment which consists of a thin and hard layer. Coffee fruits are green when young and turn yellow to orange, and then become red when ripen. Inside the cherries are coffee beans which is the most important part of this plant.
7. Beans
Coffee beans can be found at the centre of coffee cherries and are covered by three layers of cherry flesh namely skin, pulp, and parchment. There are mainly two grains in each coffee however some cherries produce only one seed called Peaberry. Coffee beans are oval in shape, have a hard texture, and are greenish in colour.
Coffee trees can survive in any climate given that the region does not experience severe weather. For instance, cultivating Coffee trees in areas with frost and heavy rains will potentially kill the plant or reduce the quality of the seeds. Coffee plants grow best in fertile soil with moderate temperatures, shaded sun, and frequent rains. Proper cultivation allows this plant to survive longer reaching up to 20 to 30 years.
Reference:
http://amiruleizlan15.blogspot.com/2016/08/tanaman-kopi.html
