The life cycle of the 400 million cups of coffee consumed in America each day.

The life cycle of the 400 million cups of coffee consumed in America each day.

Once coffee is planted, it takes about 3 years to produce what is called a coffee cherry. That is the flower found on the plant itself. Months later, once ripened, the cherries are picked and washed and dried. The fruit of the cherry is removed leaving only the seed. At this stage, coffee is called "green". Green coffee is ready to be roasted. The roasting process applies heat to the beans, changing the chemical properties and infusing it with its flavor. Green coffee can be roasted from very light to very dark. It is the roast that has the greatest effect on a coffee's taste. Once roasted, coffee is ground and brewed. Finally, ready to enjoy black or with your favorite cream and sweetner. Now you know.