Monkey Eats Coffee Beans And Poops Them Out
For years, coffee lovers have been intrigued by the idea of monkeys eating coffee beans and pooping them out. This may sound strange, but it is actually a real phenomenon that has been happening for centuries. In this article, we will explore the history of this practice, the science behind it, and its impact on the coffee industry.
The History of Monkey Coffee
The practice of using monkeys to harvest coffee beans has been around for hundreds of years. It originated in Ethiopia, where wild coffee plants grew in the highlands. The locals noticed that monkeys would often eat the coffee cherries and spit out the beans. They soon realized that the beans could be used to make coffee, and began training monkeys to pick the cherries and spit out the beans.
Over time, the practice spread to other countries in the region, such as Yemen and Indonesia. In these countries, monkeys were trained to climb tall trees to pick the beans, as well as to sort and clean them. The use of monkeys in the coffee industry became known as "monkey coffee," and it became a prized commodity.
The Science Behind Monkey Coffee
When monkeys eat coffee cherries, the beans inside are not digested. Instead, they pass through the monkey's digestive system intact. As they pass through, enzymes in the monkey's stomach break down the outer layer of the beans, which gives them a unique flavor. The beans are then excreted, and the farmers collect them from the monkey's feces.
The collected beans are then cleaned and roasted, just like regular coffee beans. The result is a coffee with a distinctive flavor that some people say is smoother and less bitter than regular coffee. However, the use of monkeys in the coffee industry is controversial, and many people believe it is cruel to use animals in this way.
The Impact on the Coffee Industry
Today, most coffee is grown and harvested using machines, but the use of monkeys in the coffee industry still exists in some parts of the world. In places like Indonesia and Thailand, some farmers still use monkeys to pick coffee beans, although it is becoming less common.
There is also a growing trend of using other animals to produce unique flavors in coffee. For example, some farmers in Panama use a bird called the Jacu to eat coffee cherries and then collect the beans from its droppings. Others use elephants to eat coffee cherries and then collect the beans from their dung.
Conclusion
The use of monkeys to produce coffee is a fascinating but controversial practice. While some people enjoy the unique flavor of monkey coffee, others believe it is cruel to use animals in this way. As the coffee industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see what new and unusual methods farmers come up with to produce the perfect cup of coffee.