Only 100% pure coffee goes into NESCAFÉ but have you wondered just how it gets from the tree to your cup?
On the plant
Your coffee starts life on a small, evergreen tree that grows across South and Central America, Africa and Asia. The young coffee tree needs exactly the right amount of shaded sunlight, regular watering, fertilising, and pest and weed control, as well as constant attention, and it will be four years before its’ productive. Well managed, it will carry on producing for another 40.
Which bean?
There are about 60 species of coffee but Arabica and Robusta are the main two grown commercially. Robusta is characterized by strong flavour and low acidity and grows mainly in Vietnam, Brazil and Indonesia. Arabica boasts a delicate aroma and pleasant acidity and is grown in Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Central America, Mexico, India and Eastern Africa. To guarantee consistent quality of flavour and aroma, the experts at NESCAFÉ blend Arabica and Robusta beans from the world over.
The pick of the beans
The red coffee ‘cherries’ (with the coffee bean inside) take about nine months to ripen. They are then picked by hand. After drying and preparation, the ‘green beans’ , with almost no coffee aroma or taste, are sorted, graded and checked for quality. Imperfect beans (called stinkers, blacks, sours and foxes amongst other names) are rejected and the quality beans are packed and shipped.
Making the perfect cup of coffee
Roasting, to release that familiar coffee aroma and flavour, can take from three to 12 minutes, depending on the desired flavour. The roasted coffee is then ground to make it easier for the full flavour to be unlocked in the brewing process.
Finally, the fresh coffee brew is specially dried to leave 100% pure, soluble coffee. Just waiting for you to add freshly boiled water, for the perfect cup of NESCAFÉ.