4 Different Coffee Beans That You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard
If you love coffee as much as I do then this ought to catch your eye. Growing my own coffee beans? What? Well, that certainly has possibilities. Folks all over are growing their own herbs, vegetables, and fruits in their own garden. It's becoming more and more popular. Why not coffee beans? There's just something about eating (and drinking) what you've grown in your own garden.
It's not done on a large scale yet, but according to an article from the Gardening Channel, U.S. homeowners can grow their own coffee beans. It just takes some preparation and some patience. The coffee plant requires abundant sunshine and water. In most cases, it's resistant to frost but also does not like too much direct sunlight. There's a bunch that may go into growing your own coffee but the payoff could be worth it. The article continues to say that commercial coffee plants are already in Texas as well as Hawaii and California.
Let's introduce these 4 main coffee beans.
LOOK: 4 DIFFERENT COFFEE BEANS THAT YOU CAN GROW IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Arabica (Coffea arabica)
70% of all coffee produced come from this bean. This particular bean started in Ethiopia but has branched out into countries like Brazil. I enjoy these beans as they're mild with a bit of sweetness. These beans can be more difficult to grow as they mainly flourish in higher altitudes.
Robusta (Coffea canephora)
This is another popular bean next to Arabica. It accounts for 30% of the world's production. It's an easy bean to grow as it can withstand different altitudes. It also produces a great yield which means more bang for the buck. Plus, this bean has twice the caffeine of the Arabica.
Liberica (Coffea liberica)
An exotic bean that is harder to find. It represents only 1% of the coffee market but has an awesome taste if you ever get the chance to try it. It has nutty and fruity tones but what I like is the smoky overtone that is also there. The structure of the plant allows growth in harsh environments. It can be grown in clay or soil.
Excelsa (Coffea excelsa)
Excelsa beans are even more exclusive in the fact they make up 7% of the world's coffee supply. The entire world. Although the bean can be grown, they're hard to come by. The good news is that they grow on trees that shun diseases and are tolerant to drought. Although I've never had this particular bean on its own (as it's often mixed with Arabica and Robusta) I hear there are fruity notes with dark overtones which are right up my alley.
Remember it takes preparation and patience to grow your own coffee. The Real Good Coffee Company has blogged up step-by-step instructions on growing your own coffee at home. Happy growing and be sure to save me a cup.
I know for a fact that sometimes while you're gardening in Texas, you can get unwanted plants. Be on the lookout for these poisonous ones in your garden.