Climate for Growing Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee is grown in relatively
cool climates in the region between the Tropic of Cancer and
Capricorn. The optimum temperature is between 15-24ºC
(59-75ºF) year round. Photosynthesis is slowed above
these temperatures and frost damage can occur when temperatures
hover around 0ºC. Ideally, 1500-2500 mm of rain will
fall over a nine month period with a three month dry season
coinciding with the harvest (Mitchell, 44). Areas with
less rainfall can use irrigation to compensate. A period
of moisture stress (rain after a dry spell) helps cause a
homogenous flowering and therefore premotes a clearly defined
harvesting season. Coffee producing countries with more than one wet
and dry season will have more than one harvesting season.
There is a direct relationship
between extremes of day and nighttime temperatures and coffee
quality. Experimental evidence has indicated that a
large gap between day and nighttime temperatures is beneficial
to the flavor of fruits. Since a coffee cherry is a
fruit and the seed is in contact with the fruit, these benefits
will be passed onto the seed and therefore into the cup.
Related
Articles:
Coffee Bean Development
Planting Coffee
Environmental Conditions for Growing Coffee
Growing Coffee
Processing Coffee