Coffee Cherry

A coffee cherry is the fruit, or berry of the coffee tree, growing in clusters along the plant’s short stems.

Description of a Coffee Cherry

A coffee cherry typically measures about 6/10-inch (1.5 cm) long and begins as a light green, unripe berry that gradually ripens to yellow and then takes on an orange/crimson color before turning dark cherry-red/reddish-black, at which time the fruit is ready to be harvested for the prized coffee beans.

Determining When the Coffee is Ripe

The whole ripening process of the coffee cherry takes about seven to eight months, and the ripeness is determined largely by color.

A more precise method of determining optimum ripeness involves gently squeezing the fruit to see if the seed (coffee bean) will easily fall out. Typically this happens just before the fruit is completely red (monochromatic).

Some coffee plant varietals (e.g. botanical varieties) have cherry (fruits) that turn yellow rather than red when they are ripe.

Anatomy of a Coffee Cherry

Beneath the coffee cherry’s outer skin (the exocarp) is the fruity pulp (the mesocarp), and then the silverskin (endocarp), a fine, extremely thin layer of skin that surrounds and adheres tightly to the coffee bean.

Premium Coffee Beans from the World’s Most Exotic Coffee-Growing Regions

Gourmet Coffee Beans – Coffee and Espresso Brewing Equipment

Asian, Indonesian & Pacific Coffees – Arabian and African Coffees – Coffees of the Americas

Sumatra Mandheling Coffee – Java Arabica Coffee – Indonesia Sulawesi Coffee

Nicaraguan Coffee – Mexican Altura Coffee – Brazil Santos – Mexican Chiapas Coffee

Guatemala Antigua Coffee – Guatemala Huehuetenango Coffee – Decaf Guatemalan Coffee (Green, Unroasted)

Special Roasts & Blends – Flavored Coffees – Decaffeinated Coffee

Organic and Fair Trade Coffees – Green Coffee Beans

For tips on making great espresso drinks see Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot and Barista Guide to Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos.