Foraging For Wild Harvested Arabica Coffee Beans

If you're enjoying your morning cup of coffee, it's likely brewed using beans from the Coffea arabica species. This variety accounts for about 60%- 70% of the world's coffee market.

Researchers led by UB have created the highest quality reference genome of this plant species to date, and have revealed details about its lineage over millennia and across continents. This research sheds light on ways we could breed the plant to be more resilient to the effects of climate change and diseases.

Health Benefits

It's awe-inspiring that so many are so ignorant of the origins of coffee and its current conditions. Despite its popularity, coffee is an extremely new crop. It was only in the past century did large multinational corporations develop and dominate the market. Coffea arabica has a complicated chemical composition which can provide numerous health benefits. While research on this subject is still in its initial stages, the plant's antioxidant compounds are believed to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. The hunt for wild coffee is a a unique opportunity to access these potential health advantages.

In the wild, Coffea arabica grows as small shrub or tree that produces fruits with two seeds per. The fruits are known as Drupes and are edible and have a fleshy exterior that is stuffed with coffee beans. These drupes are Green Arabica Coffee Beans when they are not yet ripe, and turn red or purple when they are ready for harvest. The trees need regular pruning to ensure they are established and growing. They must also be pollinated by birds or insects to produce a successful crop.

Plants thrive in tropical climates that have temperatures between 15-24oC (59-75oF). Photosynthesis is hindered by temperatures that are too high or low. The trees also need a reasonable amount of rain, 1500 to 2500 mm annually, evenly distributed throughout the year. Rainfall that is not enough dry can harm the plant or cause it to start producing rust, which is a fungal disease. In times of drought, irrigation is necessary to supply water.

The majority of commercially grown coffee comes from cultivars selected for specific traits, and these cultivars lack the genetic diversity that the natural populations of the species possess. This low genetic range makes the coffee plant vulnerable to a wide range of pests and pathogens, and climate change is threatening the supply of coffee plants as well. Protecting the genetic diversity of wild species makes it easier to combat these threats and preserve the economic, cultural and health benefits of this global beloved.

Caffeine in coffee can increase the body's metabolic rate and increase concentration, mental alertness and performance. It can reduce dehydration, promote weight loss, and lower the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and certain types cancer. Additionally, the social activity of coffee drinking encourages interpersonal interactions that positively impact health.

Economic Benefits

Coffee isn't just a beverage for millions of people in the world. It's also a source of income, and economic wellbeing. Climate change could make coffee prices rise significantly, threatening livelihoods for those who depend on the beverage. Coffee cultivation is complex, but researchers are looking for ways to sustain this crucial crop while protecting the environment and the farmers who cultivate it.

Coffea arabica is a tropical evergreen tree or shrub that produces a drupe or fruit, with two seeds -- the coffee beans that we drink. The fleshy, sweet fruits of Coffea arabica are similar to other drupes like cherries, peaches, and plums. They share male (staminate) and female (pistillate) features and are self-pollinating. However, cross-pollination is often necessary to produce high-quality coffee beans.

Coffea green arabica coffee beans cultivation requires specific conditions. The plants require a rich, well draining soil, as well as a moderate climate ranging from cold to warm. They are sensitive to temperature changes and require protection against frost. They are also vulnerable to pests and diseases like the coffee berry beetle and leaf rust fungus. This can result in significant reductions in yield.

Research into the genetics of coffee plants has led to the creation of new varieties and hybrids that are more resistant to climate changes and other threats. Researchers are also looking at cultivars of coffee with distinctive aromas and flavors for those who drink it.

The coffee industry is also studying sustainable farming methods to reduce environmental impact, such as improved fertilization and water management. These changes will benefit coffee farms as well as the communities that depend on them, and they can also improve the quality of the beans.

Many of the challenges that affect coffee cultivation such as climate change, disease, and pests, can be averted by protecting the natural habitats in which these plants naturally thrive in their natural state. As a result, the forests of southwest Ethiopia are becoming a more important area to protect the genetic diversity of Coffea arabica, a critical ingredient in our morning cup of joe.

Environmental Benefits

Coffee is grown at high altitudes and requires moderate climate that is not prone to extreme temperature fluctuations. It also requires lots of rain, which can be achieved by evenly distributing the rainfall throughout the year. The plants are frequently pruned to increase productivity, control height and keep them healthy. Coffea arabica can take approximately nine months from flowering to harvesting and this process happens within a single growing season. The harvesting process is usually performed by hand to ensure that only the ripe cherries are picked, and this helps to prevent over-production which could cause diseases and poor quality.

In contrast to the majority of commercially-grown varieties that are cultivars bred through selective breeding to produce specific traits, wild coffee has greater genetic diversity. As such, it is more able adapt to changes in challenges and conditions. Genetic diversity can help to preserve the cultural and economic benefits that Arabica coffee can bring in the future.

Although wild coffee plants are still being found in the forests of southwest Ethiopia however, they are threatened by deforestation and other environmental threats. To ensure the survival of this species and the long-term sustainability of communities dependent on it, conservation strategies should be implemented.

One such strategy is called Participatory Forest Management (PFM) which means that the forest is managed by local communities who live within and around the forest. These communities have long-held forest rights and are accountable for managing the land. Through empowering these communities to manage the coffee plantation and other forest resources PFM's PFM approach permits the protection of the natural environment and the diversity that helps support the development of the coffee tree.

As the demand for premium coffee continues to rise making sure that these practices are integrated into all aspects of production is essential. This will not only improve the quality of coffee beans, but it will also safeguard the environment and improve the lives of those who rely on it for their livelihoods. By prioritizing conservation and sustainability, coffee farmers will be able to continue producing excellent coffee while contributing to an environmentally sustainable global economy.

Cultural Benefits

The coffee that we drink in the early morning is derived from the fruit of a certain type of plant. This fruit resembles the cherry, and also has the coffee bean inside. The beans are protected by a layer of pulp, and the flavor profiles depend on how the brew is created. Some methods produce nutty notes, while others produce floral and fruity notes. The roasting method can also alter the overall flavor profile which can change the intensity of the brew’s aroma and flavor characteristics.

The first coffee seeds crossed the Red Sea from Yemen to the lower Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century. This was the beginning of the beginning of a new global culture built around this incredibly valued crop.

Cultivated arabica's genetic diversity is less diverse than its wild cousins, and that lack of diversity leaves it vulnerable to environmental stresses such as disease outbreaks or climate change. The genetic diversity of the coffee species in its natural habitat is crucial for our ability to cultivate a healthy and sustainable crop.

In Ethiopia or any other country, growing and harvesting arabica beans in the wild is not only beneficial for the environment but also a social and cultural practice with many benefits to local communities. Wild-harvested coffees are some of the most sought-after available because they have distinct flavors that are difficult to duplicate with cultivable plants.

Additionally they aid in keeping the Coffea arabica gene pool arabica healthy and diverse It is vital to keep the gene pool diverse and healthy given that the vast majority of coffee grown commercially is produced from crop cultivars -- which are derived from a mere 10% of the genetic variation present in wild arabica coffee beans in bulk. This diversity can aid us in navigating new threats and the effects of climate change that will affect the coffee industry globally in the future.

We've made great strides in the coffee industry, but there's still a lot to be done. The impact of the coffee industry on tropical ecosystems will be diminished by encouraging and implementing eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices. This includes implementing agroforestry, intercropping, and soil management techniques that will reduce the negative impact of coffee on ecosystems. It also involves promoting wild arabica and other varieties, as well supporting sustainable farming methods such as shade coffee in order to decrease the risk of pests and disease.