Cherries, Goats, and History

Author: Cheyenne Pittman

With the rise in value of the beloved coffee industry to over 100 billion dollars world wide, it’s vital to return to this comforting yet essential drink’s origin. Specialty coffee has brought the actual beans into a new light and out of the dim and dusty light of the second wave coffee standard it was at before. Consumers and producers alike are actually taking the time to learn about the coffee bean and it’s roots more and more. 

The small brown bean that you find in the bags on the shelf or nested in the hopper of an espresso grinder did not always look the way they do in their final stage that you are used to seeing. The original form is actually in a fruit state- called a cherry. This cherry has been through hours of work and many     caring hands before it reaches the cup you have in the morning. This cherry has not always been used in the way that it is today. When ripe, it is a bright red and looks similar to a cranberry. Early on, this fruit was covered in animal fat and used as a protein rich snack, something that would probably be a sensation in the keto diet world. It was also used to make a wine-like drink by fermenting the fruit pulp. It is said that the very first coffee plants were grown and cultivated in Ethiopia and were soon brought over to Yemen. There are dozens of different stories about how the uses of coffee were discovered, one of them being the legend of the goat farmer named Kaldi. His goats kept eating the fruits and refused to go to sleep at night. He decided to dig a little deeper into these fruits in order to harness their power for humans. One tale says that he shared these fruits with a monk who thought of them as evil and threw them into a fire, thus creating the first roasted beans. Unfortunately, these stories don't have any physical evidence but who are we to say these goats aren’t the founders of this cherished drink. 

From the cherries on the trees, to the freshly ground coffee in your filter, there are quite a few processes that the bean goes through. The cherries are processed in three different ways. The less expensive way is the dry or natural method. The cherries are dried out in the sun for about seven to ten days and turned periodically. Once their moisture level has dropped to 11% or less, their outer shells will turn brown and the bean inside will rattle around. During the wet or washed method, the pulp of the cherries is removed soon after harvesting, leaving just the beans. The beans are then put into a fermentation solution for 24-48 hours. The beans are then dried by machines or the sun. Once they are dried, their outer layers are removed in a process called hulling. The third process for preparing the cherries is called the honey process or pulped natural process. The cherry pulp is removed but the bean itself is not washed which leaves some of the pulp still on it. The remaining pulp left on the bean mimics the sticky, golden consistency of honey which is where it gets its name. This process allows for the use of less water than it would in the washed method and takes less time than the natural method. Once the dry and naked beans are done being processed and hulled, they will then be sent to a roaster. Each roaster has a different method, there are a multitude of different roasters and styles. Once the beans have their first crack, similar to the first popcorn kernel opening, all of the flavors, nuanciases, and notes are released. 

Whether you drink coffee because it's the post- Boston Tea Party patriotic thing to do or because you just need a little pick me up, you can always count on this wondrous and historically rich drink to be there for you. The North Central College Coffee Lab has gone to the very source in order to serve you the most ethical and delicious coffee they could provide. The importance in knowing where your coffee comes from can make the world of a difference in a coffee farmer’s life. 

 

Photo Credits to Bradley Thalmann 
https://www.harlephotography.com


Sources: 


Adugna, Zelalem. “How Is Honey Processed Coffee Different from Washed or Natural?” Trianon Coffee, 6 Apr. 2019, www.trianoncoffee.com/blogs/news/how-is-honey-processed-coffee-different-from-washed-or-natural.

Avey, Tori. “The Caffeinated History of Coffee.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 8 Apr. 2013, www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/history-coffee/.

Azoury, Alex. “History of Coffee: Its Origin and How It Was Discovered.” Home Grounds, 9 Dec. 2019, www.homegrounds.co/history-of-coffee/.

Beller, Debra. “How Coffee Works.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 27 Jan. 2020, science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/coffee5.htm.

Szeponik, Lisa, and Laura Much. “Time to Wake Up: Why a Holistic Approach Is Needed to Tackle Sustainability Challenges in the Coffee Sector .” Loning, Loning, Jan. 2020, www.loening-berlin.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Loening_KnowledgePaper_Coffee.pdf.




3337 comments

  • Love Psychic Reading
    Psychic Readings are a way of getting answers to questions and for general divination. A reading can help clarify decisions you need to make or point you in the right direction in your life. These sessions delve into your innermost feelings, helping you sort out current issues in your life. Changing your life’s path for the better is now possible. Call Or WhatsApp: Call: on +27735584255
    Get Back Ex-Lover in 24 Hours
    If your lover is gone, don’t be desperate anymore! You are a few clicks away from a prompt resolution of your problem: I will use spiritual powers to bring him/her back.
    https://sites.google.com/view/natalhealer/voodoo-spells

    Prof Profsipho
  • Wonderful Information, I had credit scores of 450 (TransUnion) 540 (Equifax) in March. I applied for a mortgage loan in April and was not approved because of my low FICO scores. I had seen some wonderful recommendations of a good Credit Agency on the internet about Jerrylink Credit Group. So I contacted him and He help me delete eviction, negative collection items on my credit report, He increase my credit score about 820 excellent score within a few days. I was approved within a week for my mortgage loan and He also help me pay off my credit card debts within few weeks. Contact : jerrylinkgroup@gmail.com

    Goodluck Frederick
  • Investment scams are becoming increasingly common in the world of cryptocurrency, with many individuals falling victim to fraudulent schemes promising high returns on their investments. These scams can result in the loss of significant amounts of money, leaving victims feeling helpless and devastated.
    CoinsRecoveryWorldwide is a trusted and reliable resource for individuals who have fallen victim to investment scams involving Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. They specialize in helping clients recover their lost assets and funds through their expertise and experience in navigating the complex world of cryptocurrency scams.
    CoinsRecoveryWorldwide works tirelessly to investigate and track down the perpetrators of these scams, working with law enforcement agencies and other authorities to ensure that justice is served. They provide a range of services to assist clients in recovering their assets, including legal representation, forensic analysis, and negotiation with scammers.
    If you have been the victim of an investment scam involving Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, don’t hesitate to reach out to CoinsRecoveryWorldwide for assistance. They have a proven track record of success in recovering lost assets for their clients and can help you navigate the process of recovering your funds. Don’t let scammers get away with your hard-earned money – contact CoinsRecoveryWorldwide today for help in recovering your assets.
    Contact information
    WEBSITE; https://coinsrecoveryworldwide.mobirisesite.com/
EMAIL.COINSRECOVERYWORLDWIDE@GMAIL.COM
WHATSAPP:+17658236083]

    coinsrecoveryworldwide
  • As a medical doctor living in Germany, my main reason for investing in Bitcoin was to secure financial freedom in my later years. Unfortunately, that goal was nearly destroyed when I experienced one of the most devastating events of my life — my Phantom wallet, containing approximately €200,000 worth of digital assets, was completely wiped out.

    At first, I thought it might be a network glitch or technical issue. But as the reality sank in, I realized I had fallen victim to a hack. The sense of loss was overwhelming — knowing that years of hard work and savings had seemingly vanished in an instant.

    After hours of searching and trying to understand what had happened, I came across SpyHost Cybersecurity Company , a team that specializes in cryptocurrency recovery, digital forensics, and cybersecurity. Honestly, I was skeptical at first as it felt like a desperate move but I decided to give them a try.

    To my surprise, they were highly professional and responsive. In less than 48 hours, they managed to recover my lost assets. I was stunned. They not only restored my funds but also my peace of mind.

    If you’ve gone through a similar experience, I highly recommend reaching out to them. They can be contacted via email at [Spyhost@cyberdude.com] or through WhatsApp at +1 (228) 313‑3152. Whether it’s lost crypto, seed phrase recovery, or general data recovery, they’ve proven to be effective and trustworthy in my case.

    Kenneth V Wilson
  • As a medical doctor living in Germany, my main reason for investing in Bitcoin was to secure financial freedom in my later years. Unfortunately, that goal was nearly destroyed when I experienced one of the most devastating events of my life — my Phantom wallet, containing approximately €200,000 worth of digital assets, was completely wiped out.

    At first, I thought it might be a network glitch or technical issue. But as the reality sank in, I realized I had fallen victim to a hack. The sense of loss was overwhelming — knowing that years of hard work and savings had seemingly vanished in an instant.

    After hours of searching and trying to understand what had happened, I came across SpyHost Cybersecurity Company , a team that specializes in cryptocurrency recovery, digital forensics, and cybersecurity. Honestly, I was skeptical at first as it felt like a desperate move but I decided to give them a try.

    To my surprise, they were highly professional and responsive. In less than 48 hours, they managed to recover my lost assets. I was stunned. They not only restored my funds but also my peace of mind.

    If you’ve gone through a similar experience, I highly recommend reaching out to them. They can be contacted via email at [Spyhost@cyberdude.com] or through WhatsApp at +1 (228) 313‑3152. Whether it’s lost crypto, seed phrase recovery, or general data recovery, they’ve proven to be effective and trustworthy in my case.

    Kenneth V Wilson

Leave a comment