Coffee bean actually is a seed found inside the fruit of a coffee tree. The fruit, known as a coffee cherry, contains two seeds, each encased in a thin skin, surrounded by a parchment-like covering.
There are two botanical varieties of the bean that account for the coffee we drink: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is the bean of ancient Ethopia, prized for its rich flavor and enticing aroma. It grows best at high altitudes where the temperature fluctuations are thought to improve the flavor and aroma of the bean. Robusta beans are hardier, tolerant of lower altitudes and resistant to leaf rust. Robusta beans are higher in caffeine than Arabica but comparatively harsh and bitter in flavor.
