From Bean to Cup: a blog series by our expert Sam
Coffee is more than just a drink - it tells the story of its origins. Sam explains how the coffee bean finds its way into the cup. Sam is a passionate coffee roaster and is firmly rooted in the world of coffee. He also works part-time in IT at Rex-Royal and, in addition to his technical expertise, he knows all about coffee cultivation, the entire preparation process and, of course, roasting. He maintains close and direct contact with the farmers and therefore knows their working methods inside out.
Through Roasters United, an association of several roasters, Sam maintains long-term partnerships with producers in various countries of origin. The farmers are visited regularly, which is why the exchange is direct and personal. Sam recently visited coffee growers in India. He not only held discussions, but also helped with the harvesting and processing himself. Back in Switzerland, he brought back not only green coffee but also in-depth coffee knowledge and exciting impressions.
The farmers who work with Roasters United use a method of coffee cultivation known as permaculture. But what is permaculture?
Permaculture is a sustainable, ecological cultivation system. Coffee is cultivated as a mixed crop together with other plants in harmony with nature. Unlike in traditional monocultures, coffee does not grow in endless rows in open fields. Instead, it is embedded in a diverse ecosystem, a so-called forest garden. Shade trees and useful plants such as fruit trees, banana trees, papaya and spice plants grow around the coffee trees. This interplay is no coincidence, but follows a system. Coffee is naturally an undergrowth in the forest and does not like direct, intense sunlight. The taller trees regulate light, temperature and humidity, protect against heavy rain and wind and thus create a stable microclimate.
A central idea of permaculture is the natural cycle. When leaves fall to the ground, microorganisms decompose the organic material. This produces valuable nutrients that are returned to the soil. This creates humus, which retains moisture better, and soil life remains active and healthy. The advantage of this is that no artificial or chemical pesticides are required. This keeps the permaculture ecosystem stable. As different plants have different root depths, extract different nutrients from the soil and produce a variety of plant substances, they complement each other. Biodiversity also acts as natural plant protection: pests are less able to spread because the system remains in balance.
- Healthy soil and natural nutrient cycle
- Greater biodiversity
- Better climate resistance
- Chemically uncontaminated organic coffee
Permaculture in coffee cultivation also means more manual work: from the care of mixed crops to the manual removal of weeds and selective harvesting, many things cannot be automated. At the same time, coffee yields per area are lower, as the coffee plants share the space with other crops. This creates a more stable, more diverse ecosystem.
How coffee is grown and processed plays a key role in determining its taste, quality and sustainability in the cup. In the next part of our From Bean to Cup series, we delve deeper into the preparation process with Sam and find out how freshly picked cherries become export-ready beans.