Foraging For Wild Harvested Arabica Coffee Beans
If you're enjoying the morning cup of coffee, it's likely made using beans from the Coffea arabica variety. This variety accounts for about 60% - 70% of the world's coffee market.
Scientists at UB have created a reference genome that is the best to date for this species of plant that reveals the secrets of its lineage through millennia. This research sheds new insight into how we can improve the plant so that it is more resistant to climate change and diseases.
Health Benefits
For a plant that is as famous as coffee, it is surprising how little people know about its origins and growing conditions. Despite its worldwide popularity, coffee is still an extremely young crop. It was only in the last century that large multinational corporations began to dominate the market. The species, Coffea arabica, has a diverse chemical composition that could provide a variety of health benefits. While research on this topic is in its early stages, the plant's antioxidant compounds are believed to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. The process of hunting for wild coffee provides an unique opportunity to reap these potential health advantages.
Coffea arabica is a tiny tree or shrub that grows in the wild. It produces two seeds per fruit. The fruits are referred to as drupes, and they have a fleshy, edible exterior that contains the coffee beans. The drupes are green when unripe and red to purple when ready to harvest. The trees require regular pruning to develop and grow, and they must be pollinated by wild birds or other insects to produce the best harvest.
The plants thrive in a tropical climate where the temperature is typically between 15 and 24oC (59-75oF) year round. Photosynthesis is slowed down by temperatures that are too high or low. The trees also require an adequate amount of rain between 1500 and 2500 millimeters each year, spread evenly throughout the year. Rainfall that is not enough dry can harm the plant or cause it to start producing rust, a fungal disease. In the event of drought, water needs to be supplied through irrigation.
The majority of commercially produced coffee is grown from cultivars that have been selected for certain traits, and these cultivars lack the genetic diversity that species' natural populations possess. This low genetic range makes the crop vulnerable to a variety of pathogens and pests and climate change could threaten the plant's supply as well. The protection of the genetic diversity of the wild species can make it easier to overcome these threats, and also preserve the economic, cultural and health benefits of this worldwide beloved.
The caffeine found in coffee can boost the metabolism of the body and improves focus, mental alertness, and performance in a variety of ways. It can prevent dehydration, aid in weight loss, and reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. The social aspect of coffee drinking can also have a positive effect on health.
Economic Benefits
Coffee is not just a drink for millions of people in the world. It is a source of income, and economic prosperity. The changing climate could cause coffee prices to rise dramatically, which could threaten the livelihoods of those who depend on the beverage. Coffee cultivation is a complex process, but researchers are looking for ways to sustain this important crop while also protecting the environment and the farmers who grow it.
Coffea arabica is a evergreen tropical tree or shrub that produces a drupe or fruit, which has two seeds - the coffee beans that we drink. The sweet, fleshy, and fragrant fruits of Coffea Arabicica are similar to other drupes like plums, cherries and peaches. They are male (staminate), and female (pistillate), and self-pollinating. However, cross-pollinating may be necessary to make high quality coffee beans.
Coffea arabica cultivation requires specific conditions. The plants require rich soil that is well-drained and moderate climates that range from warm to cool. They are sensitive to changes in temperature and need to be protected from frost, which could kill them. They are also susceptible to pests and diseases such as the coffee berry beetle as well as leaf rust fungus, which could result in substantial reductions in yield.
The study of the genetics of coffee plants has led to the creation of new varieties and hybrids that are more resistant to climate changes and other threats. Scientists are also studying cultivars of coffee with distinctive aromas and flavors for those who drink it.
The coffee industry is also researching sustainable farming techniques to minimize environmental impacts, including improved fertilization and water management. These changes can benefit coffee farms and the communities that depend on them, and can also enhance the quality of the beans.
Many of the challenges that affect coffee cultivation like climate change, disease and pests, can be addressed by preserving the natural habitats that allow the plants thrive naturally in their wild state. The forests of southwest Ethiopia are becoming an increasingly important habitat for safeguarding the genetic diversity of Coffea Arabicica which is an essential ingredient in our morning cup.
Environmental Benefits
Coffee is cultivated at high altitudes, and requires a moderate climate without drastic temperature variations. It also requires lots of rain, which can be achieved by evenly distributing the rainfall throughout the year. The plants are frequently pruned to increase productivity and control the height, and to keep them healthy. Coffea arabica plants require up to nine months from flowering to harvesting and the entire process taking place during one season. Harvesting is usually done by hand to ensure only ripe cherries are picked. This prevents overproduction, which could cause an outbreak of disease or a lower quality.
Unlike the majority of commercially grown varieties, which are cultivars created by selective breeding for specific traits, wild coffee is characterized by more genetic diversity. This makes it more able to adapt to changing conditions and threats. Furthermore, preserving this genetic diversity can help preserve the economic and cultural advantages of Arabica coffee in the future.
While wild coffee plants can be still present in the forests of southwest Ethiopia, they are under threat from deforestation and other environmental threats. To ensure the survival of this species and the long-term livelihoods of communities dependent on it, conservation strategies must be implemented.
One strategy of this type is Participatory Forest Management, where the people who live within and around the forests manage the forest. These communities have been granted long-standing forest rights and are accountable for the management of the land. The PFM approach allows these communities to manage their coffee plantation and other forest resources. This ensures the protection of the natural environment and biodiversity that supports the growth and development of the coffee tree.
As the demand for premium coffee continues to rise, making sure these practices are integrated into every aspect of production is essential. This will not only enhance the quality of the coffee beans but also protect the environment and improve the lives of people who depend on them to support their lives. By prioritizing conservation and sustainability, coffee farmers will be able to continue producing exceptional coffee while contributing towards a sustainable economy in the world.
Cultural Benefits
The coffee we consume in the morning is made from the fruit of certain plants. The fruit is shaped like the cherry, and also has the coffee bean inside. The beans are surrounded by the pulp layer, and the flavor profiles can differ depending on the method used to create the beverage. Some methods produce notes of nuts, while other methods produce floral and fruity notes. The overall flavor profile can be modified by roasting, which in turn alters the intensity of the brew's aroma and flavor characteristics.
The first evidence of coffee cultivation dates back to the 7th century, with the first arabica seeds crossing the Red Sea into Yemen and the lower Arabian Peninsula. This journey marked an era of globalization that revolved around this highly valued crop.
Cultivated arabica's genetic diversity is more limited than its wild relatives and this lack of diversity makes it vulnerable to environmental stressors like disease outbreaks or climate change. The genetic diversity found in the coffee species' natural habitats is vital to our ability to sustainably grow an environmentally sustainable and healthy crop.
Growing and harvesting arabica from the wild regardless of whether it is in Ethiopia or anywhere else, is not only good practice for the environment but is also an important social, cultural, and economic practice that offers many benefits for local communities. In fact, many of the most sought after coffees available are harvested from wild because they have distinct flavor profiles that are difficult to replicate in cultivable plants.
Additionally they help keep the Coffea arabica gene pool arabica healthy and diverse, which is important given that the majority of coffee grown commercially is produced from cultivars for crop production that are derived from just 10 percent of the genetic variation present in wild arabica. bulk arabica coffee beans will assist us to negotiate future threats and climate change impacts that will affect the coffee industry globally.
Although we've come far in the production of coffee, there's still more work to be accomplished. The coffee industry's impact on tropical ecosystems will be reduced by the promotion and implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture practices. This means implementing agroforestry, intercropping, and soil management techniques that will reduce the negative impact of coffee on ecosystems. It also means the promotion of wild arabica as well as other varieties, and supporting sustainable farming methods such as shade coffee to decrease the risk of diseases and pests.