What is a Coffee Cherry?

A coffee cherry is the fruit of the coffee plant. It’s a small, round berry that starts green and ripens to a deep red, similar to a cherry (hence the name). Inside the cherry, you’ll find two coffee beans (though sometimes just one, called a peaberry).

PARTS OF A COFFEE CHERRY
– Skin (Husk or Exocarp): The outer layer of the cherry.
– Pulp (Mesocarp): The sweet, fleshy part surrounding the beans.
– Parchment (Endocarp): A thin, paper-like layer protecting the beans.
– Silver Skin: A delicate membrane covering the beans.
– Coffee Beans: The seeds inside the parchment, which become the coffee we know and love.

FROM CHERRY TO CUP
The journey from coffee cherry to your cup is a complex process:

– Harvesting: Ripe cherries are carefully picked, often by hand.
– Processing: The cherries undergo various methods to remove the pulp and parchment, revealing the coffee beans.
– Drying: The beans are dried to reduce moisture content.
– Roasting: The dried beans are roasted to develop their flavor profile.
– Grinding and Brewing: The roasted beans are ground and brewed to create your favorite coffee drink.