Coffee

Common Name: Coffee

Botanical Name: Coffea arabica, C. robusta

Family: Rubiaceae

Origin: Ethiopia

Avg. Height x Width: 6' x 4'

Season: Winter

Damage Temp: 28 - 30 F

Coffee plants have small white, fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are clustered in the leaf axils. They resemble gardenias, to which they are related. The edible fruits are small fleshy berries changing in color from green to yellow to red. Two greenish-gray seeds are covered with a thin membrane and are enclosed in a dry husk-like parchment. When only one seed develops, it is known as a pea-berry and commands a higher price. The seeds can be easily dried, roasted and ground at home.