FROM CROP

TO CUP

THE MAKING OF A CUP OF COFFEE

INTRO

Producing coffee is a surprisingly complicated

process. There are many steps and many
variablesand thus, many opportunities for
quality and flavor to be negatively impacted.
Hand labor is necessary at nearly all stages,
so ethical practices are a growing concern in
the industry.

FARMING
Coffee plants are
grown in tropical
climates.
The plants flower
and produce fruit
that turns red when
ripe.
Because of uneven
ripening, they must
be picked by hand.

Brazilian arabicas plant.

whyfiles.org

FARMING

Columbian farmer drying beans.

fratellocoffee.com

The fruit is then pulped

to separate it from the
seed (which is what we
know as the coffee
bean).
Seeds are dried and
prepared for shipment.
The process must be
done carefully; too
much moisture can lead
to infections, while too
little can degrade flavor.

Fair Trade practices help

farmers escape poverty by
setting a minimum buying
price and connecting them
directly with importers for
long-term business.
Starbucks has set a goal of
selling 100% ethically-sourced
coffee by 2015.
This means that coffee
production must meet Coffee
and Farmer Equity (CAFE)
standards, which regulate
wage and labor conditions,
among others.

FAIR TRADE
and
ETHICAL SOURCING

Starbucks Ethical Sourcing Goals.

starbucks.com

PROCESSING

At this stage, the

seeds are removed
from their shell
(parchment), sorted,
and packed for
shipment.
This can either be
accomplished in a
large industrial
mill . . .

Coffee sorting machines.

thirdwavecoffeesource.com

PROCESSING

. . . or by individual
farmers and workers.

Workers in El Salvador inspect a crop for

impurities.
wikimedia.org

Defective beans must

be removed at this
stage. This is often
done by hand, and is a
labor-intensive
process.

SHIPPING

Once the coffee

beans are sorted,
they are packed for
shipment.
Final preparations,
including roasting
and grinding, usually
occur in the import
country.

Coffee in Costa Rica ready to ship in 150-lb.

bags.
travelExperienceCostaRica.com

SHIPPING

Commercially importing any food product

(including coffee) in the U.S. requires filing of
Prior Notice with the FDA.

There are no limits, quotas, or taxes on importing coffee into

the United States. However, many countries do have such
regulations (for example, several Central and South American
nations have an import tax).
Companies dealing internationally should be aware of
applicable regulations.

PREPARATION

Coffee roaster.
kocojava.com

Once the coffee has

arrived, the roasting
process can begin.
The roasting technician
must have knowledge of
the specific type of bean,
and adjust the time,
temperature, and degree
(darkness) of the roast
accordingly.
Frequent monitoring and
sampling is required.

SELLING

Once roasted, the

coffee can be ground
(or sold whole in
some cases).
It is at this point that
the coffee is ready to
be brewed.
Coffee, whole and ground.
cosmomagazine.com