Cultivating Coffea arabica

Coffea arabica is the world’s most popular drink. Coffee beans are prized international commodities whose price can fluctuate wildly from season to season. One reason for large price fluctuations is that coffee bushes are typically grown in the tropics, under tree canopies. Crops are therefore very susceptible to extremes of weather and also progressive deforestation in Brazil, Columbia, Kenya and Uganda. Coffea arabica is a particularly finicky plant. It likes warmth but not too much heat, light but not sunshine, moisture but not water.

Coffee plants are large bushes, growing to 3-5 meters in height and taking at least 4 years to produce flowers and then coffee cherries which contain a pair of the beans loved by baristas. 

Corbeau has been interested in the Ugandan coffee business for a number of years and therefore we have started a short trial to follow the growth and health of coffee plants over a season. The trial uses sensors to log the microclimate of coffee plants and monitor plant health using our Leafbox technology. Leafbox uses colour leaf imaging to quantitatively measure the amounts of chlorophyll and carotenoids in plant leaves. One aim of the trial is to establish limiting temperature and relative humidity conditions for plant survival and optimal macronutrient interventions for plant growth and health. Why not make a fresh brew of excellent  Joe and browse the latest info below?