The life cycle of a cup of coffee - A.J. Jacobs

TED-Ed
4 Jan 202105:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script unravels the complex journey of a simple cup of coffee, from the family farms in Pitalito, Colombia, where coffee cherries are handpicked under challenging conditions, to the global network of workers involved in processing, sorting, roasting, and serving. Highlighting the labor-intensive process and the often low wages of those involved, it reminds us to value not just the final product, but also the people behind it.

Takeaways
  • 🌱 The coffee journey begins with the cultivation of Coffea trees in regions like the Colombian town of Pitalito, where local forests are cleared for coffee plantations.
  • 👨‍🌾 Harvesters work long hours at high altitudes, picking over 25 kilograms of coffee cherries per shift for low wages.
  • 🛠️ The wet mill plays a crucial role in separating coffee seeds from the fruit and sorting them by density to ensure quality.
  • ⏱️ Fermentation and drying processes are essential, taking up to three weeks, with manual raking to ensure even drying of the coffee seeds.
  • 🚚 Once dried, coffee beans are transported to mills for further sorting by density, size, and color, highlighting the complexity of the process.
  • ☕️ Q-graders evaluate the coffee's taste, aroma, and mouthfeel through 'cupping' to determine its quality and assign a grade.
  • 📦 The beans are then packed into burlap sacks and loaded onto shipping containers, ready for international transport.
  • 🚢 Cargo ships with crews transport coffee globally, with the United States, particularly New York City, being a major importer.
  • 🛃 The coffee beans pass through customs and are unloaded by dockworkers before being transported to roasteries.
  • 🔥 At the roastery, coffee beans undergo a twelve-minute roasting cycle, monitored and adjusted by coffee engineers for optimal flavor.
  • 🚛 Roasted beans are bagged and delivered to cafes and stores by vans, bringing the coffee closer to the consumers.
  • 🏙️ The final stretch involves head buyers selecting beans and logistics teams managing delivery routes, with baristas serving the coffee to customers.
  • 💼 The script emphasizes the importance of valuing the people involved in the coffee production process, many of whom work in challenging conditions for low pay.
Q & A

  • What is the starting point of the coffee-making process described in the script?

    -The process begins in remote locations like the Colombian town of Pitalito, where family farms clear local forests to make room for coffee tree plantations.

  • Where were coffee trees originally domesticated?

    -Coffee trees were first domesticated in Ethiopia and are now cultivated in equatorial regions.

  • Why are coffee cherries picked by hand in Pitalito?

    -Coffee cherries are picked by hand because fruits on the same branch can ripen at different times, and handpicking ensures only ripe cherries are harvested.

  • What is the role of the wet mill in the coffee production process?

    -The wet mill separates the coffee seeds from the fruit and sorts them by density, with the heaviest and most flavorful seeds being collected for further processing.

  • How long does the fermentation process of coffee beans typically last?

    -The fermentation process typically lasts for one or two days.

  • What is the purpose of drying coffee beans on large mesh racks in Pitalito?

    -Drying on mesh racks helps ensure the beans dry evenly, which is crucial for the quality of the final coffee product.

  • What is the role of Q-graders in the coffee production process?

    -Q-graders evaluate the taste, aroma, and mouthfeel of the coffee through a process called 'cupping' to determine its quality and assign a grade to the beans.

  • How are coffee beans transported from the port to the roastery?

    -Coffee beans are loaded onto steel shipping containers, transported by cargo ships, and then by eighteen-wheelers to a nearby warehouse and roastery.

  • What is the significance of the twelve-minute roasting cycle in the coffee production process?

    -The twelve-minute roasting cycle is crucial as it transforms the seeds into grindable, brewable beans with a dark brown color and rich aroma, while sensors monitor and engineers adjust moisture levels, chemical stability, and temperature.

  • Who are the head buyers in the coffee industry and what is their role?

    -Head buyers in coffee companies carefully select beans from all over the world, ensuring the quality and variety of coffee offered by their company.

  • What is the final step in the coffee-making process as described in the script?

    -The final step is when baristas serve the coffee to customers in cafes and stores across the city.

  • What ethical consideration is highlighted regarding the people involved in the coffee production process?

    -The script highlights the need to value the people involved in the coffee production process, many of whom work for low pay in dangerous conditions, and some who are not paid at all.

Outlines
00:00
🌎 The Global Journey of Coffee

This paragraph outlines the complex and worldwide process behind making a simple cup of coffee. It starts from the cultivation of Coffea trees in places like Pitalito, Colombia, where local forests are cleared for plantations. The coffee cherries are handpicked and processed in wet mills to separate the seeds, followed by fermentation and drying. The dried beans are then sorted by density, size, and color before being graded by Q-graders through a 'cupping' process. The high-quality beans are then shipped in large quantities to places like the United States, highlighting the extensive labor and resources involved in this everyday commodity.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Coffee cherries
Coffee cherries are the small, fruit-like berries that grow on Coffea trees and contain the seeds, or beans, used to make coffee. They are central to the video's theme, illustrating the beginning of the complex process that transforms them into the coffee we consume. The script mentions that these cherries are picked by hand in Pitalito, Colombia, highlighting the labor-intensive nature of coffee production.
💡Wet mill
A wet mill is a facility where the coffee cherries are processed to separate the seeds from the fruit. It is integral to the coffee production process depicted in the video, as it is where the transformation from cherry to coffee bean begins. The script describes how the wet mill in Pitalito sorts the seeds by density, emphasizing the importance of quality control in coffee production.
💡Fermentation
Fermentation is a process used in coffee production where the seeds are soaked in water to remove the fruit residue. In the context of the video, it is a crucial step in preparing the coffee beans for drying, and it contributes to the development of the coffee's flavor profile. The script notes that the seeds are fermented in a tub of water for one or two days, indicating a time-sensitive aspect of coffee processing.
💡Dry milling
Dry milling refers to the process of further cleaning and sorting the coffee beans after they have been dried. It is a key concept in the video, as it represents a stage in the journey from coffee cherry to the beans that will be roasted and brewed. The script describes how the beans are dried on large mesh racks and then taken to a mill for air blowing, sieving, and optical sorting, showcasing the meticulous nature of coffee preparation.
💡Q-graders
Q-graders are professionals trained to evaluate and grade coffee beans based on taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. They play a pivotal role in the video's narrative, ensuring the quality of the coffee that reaches consumers. The script explains that Q-graders select samples for 'cupping,' a process that determines the coffee's grade and readiness for shipment.
💡Cupping
Cupping is a method used to evaluate the sensory attributes of coffee, such as flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. It is a critical practice in the video's storyline, as it is how Q-graders determine the quality of the coffee. The script mentions that cupping is used to evaluate the coffee's taste and aroma, underlining the importance of sensory experience in coffee appreciation.
💡Roasting
Roasting is the process of heating coffee beans to a high temperature to develop their flavor and aroma. It is a central theme in the video, as it is the final transformation the beans undergo before becoming the coffee we drink. The script details the twelve-minute roasting cycle, where coffee engineers monitor and adjust the beans' moisture, chemical stability, and temperature, highlighting the technical expertise required in this step.
💡Baristas
Baristas are skilled coffee professionals who prepare and serve coffee drinks to customers. They are key figures in the video's message, as they represent the final link in the coffee supply chain. The script describes baristas as serving the 'caffeinated elixir' to customers, emphasizing their role in delivering the coffee experience to the end consumer.
💡Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to the underlying systems and structures that support the production and distribution of goods, such as coffee. In the video, infrastructure is implicitly mentioned as the foundation that makes the global coffee supply chain possible. The script alludes to the vast network and the many individuals who maintain this infrastructure, suggesting the scale and complexity of the systems involved in coffee production.
💡Elixir
An elixir is a substance believed to have healing or beneficial properties, often used metaphorically to describe something highly valued or sought after. In the video, coffee is referred to as a 'caffeinated elixir,' which underscores its importance and the positive effects it has on people's lives. The script uses this term to convey the cultural and emotional significance of coffee.
💡Sustainability
Sustainability is the concept of using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, the theme of sustainability is implied through the discussion of labor conditions and environmental practices in coffee production. The video encourages viewers to consider the broader impact of their coffee consumption, suggesting a call for more sustainable practices.
Highlights

Making a cup of coffee involves a complex, global process with significant costs.

Coffee cultivation begins in remote areas like Pitalito, Colombia, with local forests being cleared for coffee plantations.

Coffea trees, originally from Ethiopia, are now grown in equatorial regions and produce coffee cherries.

Hand-picking is the preferred method for harvesting coffee cherries due to varying ripening times.

Harvesters in Pitalito work long hours at high altitudes for low wages, picking over 25 kg per shift.

The wet mill separates coffee seeds from the fruit and sorts them by density for quality selection.

Fermentation and washing processes are crucial for removing fruit residue and preparing seeds for drying.

In Pitalito, coffee seeds are dried on mesh racks, manually raked for even drying over three weeks.

Coffee beans are then taken to a mill for further sorting by density, size, and color using specialized machines.

Q-graders evaluate coffee quality through cupping, determining taste, aroma, and mouthfeel, and assign a grade.

Coffee beans are packed into burlap sacks and shipped globally, with the US being a major importer.

New York City consumes millions of cups of coffee daily, highlighting the scale of the coffee trade.

Coffee beans undergo a meticulous roasting process, monitored by coffee engineers for optimal results.

Roasting transforms the beans into a brewable form with a rich aroma and dark brown color.

After roasting, beans are bagged and delivered to cafes and stores by a logistics team.

The coffee industry involves hundreds of people, including those maintaining the infrastructure.

Many individuals in the coffee supply chain work in low pay and dangerous conditions, some without pay.

The global network behind coffee production should not overshadow the value of the people involved.

Transcripts

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Coffee JourneyGlobal TradeColombian FarmsEthiopian OriginsHarvestingWet MillFermentationDry ProcessingQuality CuppingRoasting CycleCafe Culture