What are Coffee Cherries?
Coffee cherries are the fruit of the coffee plant. Each cherry usually contains two seeds—the coffee beans—that, once processed, roasted, and brewed, make the beverage we know as coffee. The ripeness, variety, and processing of these cherries are critical factors that determine the quality of specialty coffee.
Why coffee cherries matter
Quality control starts here: Only ripe, red cherries deliver clean and sweet flavours. Overripe or underripe cherries can cause defects.
Processing potential: Coffee cherries can be transformed through methods like washed process, natural process, or honey process, each shaping cup profile differently.
Sustainability link: Picking cherries selectively by hand ensures both quality and fairer pay for farmers, but requires higher labour input.
Specialty vs. Commercial Coffee and Cherries
Specialty producers carefully manage each step of the cherry journey. Hand-picking at peak ripeness, sometimes in multiple passes, is common, but mechanical picking can also work well on larger farms, like in Brazil, especially when combined with careful sorting. Drying methods play a critical role in preserving quality, and producers often experiment with Special preparations to highlight unique flavours while maintaining high standards .
Commercial production, by contrast, often relies on strip-picking, mixing ripe and unripe cherries, which reduces both quality and consistency.
Where Nordic Approach fits in
At Nordic Approach, we emphasize the importance of careful cherry selection. Our sourcing partners train and incentivize producers to harvest only ripe cherries, ensuring the green coffee we import delivers on cup quality and consistency.
FAQ about Coffee Cherries
Q1: Are coffee cherries edible?
A1: Yes, the fruit is sweet and juicy, though it’s usually processed for coffee rather than eaten.
Q2: How does the climate/weather of the harvest season impact cherry flavour?
A2: Climate and weather during harvest affect cherry development and ripening. Consistent, moderate conditions produce balanced sweetness and acidity, while irregular rainfall or temperature fluctuations can stress trees, creating more pronounced or uneven flavours.
Q3: Can coffee cherries be used for other products?
A3: Yes, the dried husks (cascara) are brewed as a tea-like beverage.