Understanding the Coffee Industry: A Beginner’s Guide (Part 1/10)

Written By Asher Griffith

1. Understanding the Coffee Industry: A Beginner’s Guide

Ever wonder how that magical liquid in your mug came to be? Grab a fresh cup and settle in – you’re about to become a coffee connoisseur.

The Journey of Coffee: From Bean to Cup

Coffee’s journey begins in some of the world’s lushest, most beautiful regions: think sun-drenched hillsides in Ethiopia, high-altitude farms in Colombia, and volcanic soils in Guatemala. These regions share a common bond – ideal climates for growing coffee.

Here’s how that little bean gets from farm to cup:

  1. Planting: Coffee plants start as seedlings, often nurtured in shaded nurseries.

  2. Growing: It takes 3-4 years for a coffee tree to mature and produce cherries.

  3. Harvesting: Farmers hand-pick ripe cherries during harvest season.

  4. Processing: Cherries are washed, dried, or fermented to remove the coffee bean.

  5. Exporting: Processed beans (known as green beans) are shipped worldwide.

  6. Roasting: Roasters apply their craft, turning green beans into aromatic, flavorful coffee.

  7. Brewing: Finally, you brew the beans and experience the magic.

The entire process involves meticulous work, patience, and care. A single cup of coffee represents weeks, months, and sometimes years of effort.


A Brief History of Coffee

Legend credits Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder, for the world’s introduction to coffee. Kaldi noticed his goats leaping and dancing with joy after nibbling on mysterious red berries. Curious, he tasted them himself and felt an unexpected surge of energy.

News of this “golden berry” spread to monasteries, where monks discovered its ability to keep them awake during long prayers. From there, coffee traveled to the Arabian Peninsula, where it became a staple in coffee houses (called qahveh khaneh). These coffee houses became buzzing social hubs – much like modern cafes today.

By the 1600s, coffee had taken Europe by storm, sparking debates (some called it the “devil’s drink”). Eventually, Pope Clement VIII tasted it and proclaimed it divine. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, coffee is one of the world’s most traded commodities, second only to oil.

The Coffee Supply Chain: Who’s Involved?

The journey of coffee requires many hands working in harmony. Here’s a closer look at each player:

  • Farmers: These are the real heroes. Farmers plant, tend, and harvest the cherries, often in challenging conditions.

  • Processors: After picking, cherries are processed to extract the beans, using methods like dry processing, wet processing, or honey processing.

  • Exporters: Once processed, beans are sold to exporters, who prepare them for global shipment.

  • Importers and Roasters: Roasters purchase green beans, experiment with roast levels, and unlock the flavor potential of each origin.

  • You (Brewers): Finally, you take home those freshly roasted beans, brew them to perfection, and enjoy.

Each step adds value and contributes to the final flavor in your cup.

The Economics of Coffee: Why Cheap Coffee Costs More

Not all coffee is created equal. While coffee is a $100+ billion industry globally, millions of farmers live on less than $2 a day. This discrepancy stems from the difference between commodity coffee (mass-produced, cheap) and specialty coffee (high-quality, fairly priced).

  • Commodity Coffee: Grown in bulk for efficiency, often sacrificing quality and farmer wages.

  • Specialty Coffee: Grown with care, harvested at peak ripeness, and priced to support farmers and sustainable practices.

When you buy cheap coffee, someone (usually the farmer) pays the price. Specialty coffee, on the other hand, supports:

  • Fair wages for farmers

  • Higher quality coffee

  • Environmentally friendly farming practices

Next time you grab a bag, think about the story behind it.

Why You Should Care About Your Coffee

It’s easy to take coffee for granted, but every sip represents a global journey, countless hours of labor, and the livelihoods of farmers and families.

Here’s why understanding coffee matters:

  1. Connection: Knowing your coffee’s story connects you to its origins, the people who grew it, and their hard work.

  2. Impact: By choosing ethical, high-quality coffee, you directly support farmers and sustainable practices.

  3. Enjoyment: Appreciating coffee’s complexity – its flavors, origins, and processes – makes every cup more satisfying.

So, next time you brew a fresh pot, take a moment to savor it. You’re tasting history, craft, and dedication – one sip at a time.

Conclusion The coffee industry is a vast, interconnected world full of history, passion, and effort. From the Ethiopian highlands to your kitchen counter, coffee has traveled far to make your day a little brighter.

And now that you’re armed with this knowledge, you’re not just drinking coffee – you’re celebrating it.


Stay tuned for more in-depth guides on everything from brewing to sustainability. For now, go pour yourself another cup. You’ve earned it.

Co-Founder Win picking coffee in San Antonio Huista, Guatemala

Asher Griffith