Whatever the time of year, Arabica and Robusta
are being harvested somewhere in the world.
Some countries and regions harvest intensively
once a year, others have two distinct harvest
periods. Other areas have long seasons that
last more or less all year.
Depending on species and variety, the trees can
grow several feet high, but are usually pruned to
about 5ft (1.5m) high to facilitate picking, as this
is mostly done by hand. Harvesters pick
in one pass or several passes—stripping unripe
cherries, overripe cherries, and everything in
between in one go; or picking only the ripest
cherries and returning to the same tree several
times throughout the harvest season.
Some countries use machines that strip the
branches or that gently shake the trees, causing
the ripest cherries to fall off to be gathered.
Coffee roasters should know very well this information so they can import fresh coffee.
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