From Bean to Cup: How Coffee Gets to You
The Story Behind Every Brew
Every cup of coffee starts long before it reaches your hands.
It’s a global journey—from farm to roastery to your cup.
Here’s how it all comes together.
1. Farming
Coffee starts as a cherry, not a bean.
It’s grown in tropical regions—usually at high altitudes.
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Main producers: Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Guatemala
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Grown on small farms or large estates
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Arabica and Robusta are the two main varieties
Climate, soil, and elevation all impact flavor.
This is what gives beans their distinct origin profile.
2. Harvesting
Coffee cherries are usually handpicked.
Only the ripe ones are selected—this affects quality.
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Selective picking = higher quality
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Strip picking = faster but less precise
After harvest, time matters. Cherries must be processed quickly to avoid spoilage.
3. Processing
The beans are removed from the cherry.
There are a few methods, each with unique effects on flavor:
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Washed (wet): clean, bright, acidic flavors
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Natural (dry): fruity, bold, heavier body
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Honey: balanced, sweet, complex
This step is critical to the bean’s final taste.
4. Drying and Milling
Beans are dried—either in the sun or mechanically.
They’re then hulled to remove any remaining layers and sorted by size, weight, and defects.
After that, they’re packed in bags and ready for export.
5. Exporting
Green beans are shipped globally in temperature-controlled containers.
Roasters buy from importers or directly from producers.
Storage and transport must protect the beans from moisture and heat.
6. Roasting
Once the beans arrive at the roastery, they’re roasted to unlock flavor.
Roast level determines body, acidity, and aroma.
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Light: bright and fruity
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Medium: balanced and sweet
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Dark: bold and smoky
Roasters test and adjust profiles based on each bean’s origin.
7. Packaging and Shipping
Freshly roasted beans are sealed in bags with degassing valves to release CO₂ without letting in air.
This keeps the coffee fresh during shipping.
At Not Just Beans, we source from trusted roasters who roast in small batches and ship fresh.
8. Brewing
This is your part of the journey.
How you grind, brew, and serve the coffee shapes the final experience.
Grind size, water temperature, brew time—it all matters.
Every detail connects you to the origin, the farm, and the people behind the cup.
Final Thoughts
Coffee isn’t just a product—it’s a process.
From high-altitude farms to your kitchen counter, every step matters.
When you buy from notjustbeans.shop, you’re not just buying beans.
You’re joining the journey from bean to cup.