Coffee 101 – Understanding Your Cup of Joe

I am not sure how much you know about coffee, but here at Café Altura, we know a lot. Of course, we are happy to share this knowledge with you, our fellow coffee lovers.

Where Coffee is Grown

Coffee is grown in around 50 countries around the world, largely in Latin America, eastern Africa, and Asia. There are distinctive differences between coffees from different growing regions and plantations in different parts of the world.

Weather, temperature, and soil chemistry all contribute to this variety.

At Café Altura, we get almost all of our coffee from the Finca Irlanda, a coffee plantation in Mexico.

This farm has used organic and biodynamic techniques for 20 years, meaning that Café Altura is not only the perfect choice for those who love coffee, but also for those who are respectful to the world we live in and interested in sustainable living.

Planting

Coffee seeds are planted in large numbers in temporary beds, where seedlings will be watered frequently and kept in the shade until they are strong and sturdy enough to be planted out in their permanent home.

This planting out procedure generally takes place during the rainy season, so that the soil remains moist while the plants become firmly established.

The Growing Process

It may surprise you to know that the coffee bean grows as part of a cherry-like fruit. The coffee bean is the seed at the center that is left behind once the fruit has been pulped.

In most countries, there is only one crop per year. This is often harvested by hand. The production of coffee is very labor intensive, so this, combined with its delicious taste and popularity, is why coffee beans are so highly prized!

Café Altura uses only Arabica beans, which are grown at a very high altitude.

Processing

The beans are processed by one of two methods.

The traditional way is that they are left to dry in the sun. They are raked and turned throughout the day to stop them spoiling. This process can take up to several weeks.

The advantage of this technique, however, is that it allows coffee to be processed in areas where resources are scarce. Drying the beans is essential.

The beans are then graded and sorted by size. This part happens both by machine and by hand. Once the beans are graded and sorted, they can be loaded into jute sacks, ready to be transported to destinations around the world.

Roasting

Roasting is the next step, and a very important one, especially for us here at Café Altura. This is point at which we receive our beans from our Mexican supplier Finca Irlanda. We can then begin the very important process of roasting our beans.

At Cafe Altura, all of our coffees are small-batch roasted to ensure high quality and integrity. Our coffees are roasted to order. We maintain a minimal standing stock, so that coffee is ground and in stock for only a couple of days before it is delivered to our customers.

Packaging and Delivery

After roasting, the coffee is packed and ready to go once the orders come in. The coffee is off on its journey from us, right to your door and into your cup, for you to enjoy.

We hope that our package arrives in plenty of time for your morning cup of coffee.

We take great pride in our processes. We not only want to provide our customers with top quality coffee, but we also respect the farmers who allow us to serve you, and the natural resources with which we work. Wether our coffee is in bean form, ground, or freeze-dried instant, we use sustainable practices and always aim to protect and preserve the environment where possible.

Our products are fair trade, so the farmers involved can earn a fair amount for their valuable work. And as well as choosing only the finest Arabica beans, our coffee is organic, so you can enjoy high-quality, great tasting coffee without compromising your values regarding your health and the health of the environment.

If you ever want to know more details about our coffee, how it is made, and where it comes from on its way to your cup, we are very happy to provide more information. Just give us a call or drop us a line by email and we’ll be glad to tell you everything you want to know.

We hope that you’ll love our product as much as we love providing it for you. Understanding the background of our coffee and the processes involved in making it only make every cup taste better.

Bring a little piece of Mexico into your home with our delicious, rich coffee.