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Writer's pictureRuth Sheridan

Harvesting: The First Step in the Coffee Journey


Have you ever wondered where your coffee comes from, or what terms like ‘washed’ and ‘natural’ really mean? In this short blog series, we’ll explore the fascinating journey of coffee, from the tree to your cup. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the processes behind the beans and how we can help you and your business select the perfect coffee.


To begin this series, it is important to acknowledge the origin of coffee as it is a fresh product from a tree. Coffee originates from a sweet, red fruit often referred to as the “coffee cherry.” These cherries grow on coffee trees, and inside each cherry is a seed, which we know as the coffee bean. The process begins by harvesting the cherries, then drying, roasting, and grinding the beans to prepare them for brewing. 


Image: Sabio landscape


It all starts in nurseries, where coffee seeds are planted and nurtured until they’re strong enough to be permanently planted in the ground. The planting is typically timed with the wet season to ensure the soil is moist, allowing the roots to grow deep and strong.


Harvesting takes place once the plant begins to bear fruit or coffee cherries that resemble a deep red colour, indicating they are ripe. From planting to harvesting, depending on the plant, this process can take up to 3 or 4 years. In many regions, harvesting may only take place once a year however there are countries like Columbia where two harvests are common.


Picking the cherries can be labour-intensive, especially in areas with uneven terrain. In flatter regions, machinery can be used, but many places still rely on hand-picking. There are two primary methods of harvesting:

  • Selectively picked: Workers harvest only the ripe cherries by hand, returning to the same trees every 8-10 days. This method is commonly used for finer Arabica beans and ensures only the best quality cherries are chosen.

  • Strip picked: All cherries are removed from the branch at once, regardless of ripeness.


In the next blog, we’ll dive into the next stage of coffee production, covering drying and the processing methods that give coffee its unique flavours. If you’d like to learn more about our coffee varieties or suppliers, feel free to reach out via our website or social media. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of coffee!

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