Coffee as a commodity item is traded
in the form of coffee beans. It is in fact the second largest traded
commodity in the world after crude oil. The berries of the coffee
plant, both Arabica and Robusta are harvested and subjected to on-farm
processing to extract the bean in its raw form. Based on the type
of on-farm processing ( sun-drying or pulping cum washing method)
, four types of raw coffee beans are traded in the market:- Washed
Arabica ( commercially known as Plantation)
- Unwashed Arabica (commercially
known as Arabica Cherry)
- Washed Robusta (commercially known as Robusta
Parchment)
- Unwashed Robusta (commercially known as Robusta Cherry)
Raw coffee beans undergo curing process and are graded based on size
of beans, type of defect and % defect imperfection better known as
grades of coffee. |