Eat with caution!
Of all the crops that people grow in their own gardens and homes, coffee is not usually high on the list. Given the tropical climate of the regions from which most of our coffee hails, a lot of people assume that it's not possible to grow coffee in a home environment. In fact, however, that's not true. With the right conditions (and a lot of patience), you can have a thriving coffee plant in your home that will eventually flower and fruit.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
All over the world people enjoy a daily cup of coffee (or two). Whether had first thing in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon, a good cuppa is a great pick-me-up.
Unfortunately, however, drinking a typical cup of coffee doesn't do the planet any favors. Indeed, the carbon emissions of coffee are relatively high, and not just because of transportation.
Around 50% of the total CO2 emissions from coffee are from farming the crop. A further 20% are from waste products, and another 17% from converting land.
According to one BBC article, drinking a daily cup of coffee produces more than 300 g of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
Over the course of a year, that equals to around 166 kg of CO2, which is roughly equivalent to driving 1,000 miles (about 1,600 km) in an average car.
With this in mind, more and more people are asking whether it is possible to grow a coffee plant at home. And the answer is: yes—with the right, specific environment.
The coffee plant is part of the coffea genus of plants. There are various tropical species native to countries in Africa and Asia.
As you may be aware, a flowering coffee plant produces red berries, which are harvested and roasted to produce the coffee we know and love.
The leaves of a coffee plant are generally dark green and glossy. In their early years, they are often bushy and full.
If you are going to successfully grow a coffee plant at home, the first thing you need to get right is the light. Coffee plants like bright, indirect light.
Try not to place your coffee plant in direct sunlight, since this is generally too strong and can burn its leaves.
If the only light you have in your home is bright and direct, you could consider a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.
When it comes to watering your coffee plant, bear in mind that you should never let it dry out all the way.
Indeed, coffee plants love water, and leaving one for a week or more without watering will result in serious damage.
Your plant needs a drink when it is dry to about one inch (around 2.5 cm) below its surface. You can measure that easily using the knuckle of your finger.
It is possible to grow a coffee plant in common potting mix, but in general they tend to prefer a dense, peaty mix.
You could either buy a special mix that already contains peat, or you could mix some peat into your existing common mix.
When it comes to choosing a fertilizer, just go for your favorite indoor plant mix. Remember to always follow the instructions on the label.
When it comes to choosing a pot, it is best to avoid terracotta. This is because terracotta is porous and therefore does not provide the best conditions for a thirsty plant like coffee.
However, it is also a good idea to choose a pot with some drainage, since although coffee plants love water, their roots don't enjoy sitting in it.
When given the right conditions, your plant will grow quite quickly. You may have to repot once per year or more, as your plant outgrows its current container.
If you are keeping your coffee plant indoors and you don't want to it overtake your living room, you will want to remember to prune it.
It is important that you don't cut back more than one third of the plant in a single sitting. Do this, and your plant may go into shock.
Each time you prune, cut the branch back to just a little bit above the intersection between the stem and the leaf. The best time to do this is in the early spring when the plant is putting out new shoots.
In order for your coffee plant to yield beans, it will first need to produce flowers. Normally this does not happen until the plant is mature, around five or six years old.
Once your plant is mature and has produced flowers, you will need to pollinate the flowers so that they produce berries.
If you do eventually get some berries from your pollinated flowers, the coffee beans will be inside them. Success at long last!
Growing your own coffee requires patience; it will not happen overnight. However, for lots of people the reward is worth the effort, and you'll always have a pretty house plant while you wait.
Sources: (BBC) (Apartment Therapy)
See also: Brewing techniques you need to know
Is it possible to grow your own coffee?
Enjoy a home-grown cup of joe!
FOOD Drinks
Of all the crops that people grow in their own gardens and homes, coffee is not usually high on the list. Given the tropical climate of the regions from which most of our coffee hails, a lot of people assume that it's not possible to grow coffee in a home environment. In fact, however, that's not true. With the right conditions (and a lot of patience), you can have a thriving coffee plant in your home that will eventually flower and fruit.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.