We purchase Coffee beans from the best
coffee estates in India. The estates select seeds for sowing from
specially picked coffee trees. They are planted in specially selected
land sites on the plantation. After the initial growth, they are
transplanted in the nursery. The weaker saplings die and only the
stronger ones make it to the nursery.
Unlike the typical inferior quality Robusta beans, Arabica plantation
grows on sloping hills at higher elevation of 3000 feet above the
sea level. They require strict growing conditions and are more expensive.
The leaves are low in caffeine and low in acidity. At Qwiky's we
use only Arabica beans in all our coffee varieties. The plants are
set about 10 to 14 feet apart. To provide shade and to protect young
plants from direct sunlight and heat and from strong winds, trees
are planted nearby.
Pruning :
As coffee trees grow, they are usually prune to limit their height
to about 5 to 8 feet. Even though a coffee tree can grow to over
fifteen feet high, pruning them to shorter heights makes it easy
to harvest the trees. The trees produce very aromatic, jasmine-like
white flowers. These blossoms produce cherry-like coffee fruit.
It takes about 3 to 5 years for coffee trees to bear fruits. If
the tree makes it to the stage of bearing fruit (which is usually
3 to 5 years from sowing the seeds) they can have a productive life
of about 8 to 10 years. Of course this requires regular pruning
and caring.
Harvesting :
Coffee cherries are green in color and then turn yellow, orange,
red and dark crimson when ripe. Not all cherries ripen at the same
time. So, it is impossible for a machine to pick the right ones
They are usually hand picked by people trained to watch for the
cherries that are perfectly ripe.
Pruning and Drying :
Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee cherries. Each coffee cherry
usually produce two coffee beans. However the more expensive Pea
berry variety, used mostly in Qwiky's blends, produces only one
seed per coffee cherry. The beans are separated from the skin of
the cherries through a process called 'pulping'. Then the beans
are spread out in cold places to dry.
Slow roasting :
Dried coffee beans, green in color, are then roasted. It takes special
skill and expertise to roast coffee beans. Even the best coffee
bean can be spoilt by inexperienced Roasters. At Qwiky's we use
specialists who have over twenty years of roasting experience. That
wonderful aroma coming from the just roasted beans is the result
of over 700 chemicals. Unlike the mass-merchandised coffee, at Qwiky's
we slow roast our coffee. We take 2 to 3 times longer to roast our
beans. This process is expensive in more ways than one. First it
uses more energy. Also the beans lose weight, the longer they are
roasted. However, at Qwiky's we insist on slow roasting because
the process extracts essential oils, reduces acidity in the beans
and results in less caffeine.
Grinding :
To brew a perfect cup of espresso, the coffee grounds must be uniform
and consistent. The electric grinders often seen at the coffee retailers
and restaurants cannot produce ground coffee that is consistent.
The electric grind two blades at high speeds, which knock the coffee
beans to pieces. At Qwiky's we use imported Burr grinders. In Burr
grinders the top burr is stationary and the bottom burr rotates.
The opposing burrs shave the beans to a uniform grind. Burr grinding
also minimizes heat in the grinding process and thereby reducing
the dissipation of the volatile oils in the beans.
At Qwiky's custom-making your own cup of
coffee is very simple. Pick your coffee, milk and flavors, then
add condiments to create your personal `favorite'!
The Qwiky's Baristas are there to help you
if you need any suggestions!
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