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There are a multitude of conditions, such as high elevation, the presence of shade, and levels of soil drainage, that can slow down the growth process of coffee plants. In turn this causes various sugars in the coffee cherry to develop over time, and subsequently impacts the flavor as it sundries into the coffee beans. Additionally, slower growing processes can alter the density of the coffee beans. High bean density leads to higher heat resistance, which is an indicator for the roastermaster to consider when conducting Split Bean Analysis as part of roasting procedure. (Split Bean Analysis literally means cutting a sample of coffee beans in half, and assessing its density as compared with other beans and other roasts.) Generally, lower grown coffees  have a different solid bean structure than higher grown...

Slaves at a coffee yard in a farm. Vale do Paraiba, Sao Paulo, 1882. / Marc Ferrez/Moreira Salles Institute Archive    In America and at Cortez, all of us are immigrants who came from all ends of the earth for a better life for our families and us. Two exceptions exist, for the Native people of the land, and the enslaved who were brought here in chains. Our society is built on their labor and their genocides. Colonial imperialists enslaved Natives and Africans to produce and profit from coffee production for many generations. We are dejected to tell you that slavery and indentured servitude through coercion, debt peonage, and inhumane labor practices still exist today. This is due to lower prices...