It grows on trees, originally appearing as white blossoms and quickly developing into round ‘cherries’. Inside the cherries are twin coffee beans that coffee growers harvest. Occasionally there is only a single bean inside: these are called peaberries and are prized for their rich and robust flavor.
It can take up to five years for coffee trees to begin producing, and even then the right combination of rain, sun, shade, and temperature is required. Soil is also important: Arabica coffee beans, for example, do better in volcanic mountain soul.
When the coffee cherry has adequately matured, it turns glossy red. (Some varieties are yellow or light brown.) It is then ready for harvesting.