Where Coffee Comes From

Many people drink coffee in the morning, but few know where it comes from. Coffee grows on a green plant with shiny leaves. The plant likes warm weather near the middle of the world. People say the first coffee plants grew long ago in Ethiopia, in Africa.

Watu wengi hunywa kahawa asubuhi, lakini wachache wanajua inatoka wapi. Kahawa hukua kwenye mmea wa kijani wenye majani yanayong'aa. Mmea huo unapenda hali ya hewa ya joto karibu na katikati ya dunia. Watu husema mimea ya kwanza ya kahawa ilikua zamani sana huko Ethiopia, Afrika.

The plant grows small fruits called cherries. The cherries start green and slowly turn bright red. Inside each red cherry there are two little seeds. People pick the ripe cherries by hand and take out the seeds, which we call coffee beans.

Mmea huo huzaa matunda madogo yaitwayo cherry. Cherry huanza kijani na polepole hugeuka nyekundu iliyong'aa. Ndani ya kila cherry nyekundu kuna mbegu mbili ndogo. Watu huchuma cherry zilizoiva kwa mikono na kutoa mbegu, ambazo tunaziita punje za kahawa.

Next, the green beans dry in the sun for many days. Then people roast them with heat until they turn dark brown and smell wonderful. Finally, someone grinds the beans and adds hot water. After a long trip from the farm, the coffee is ready to drink.

Kisha, punje za kijani hukauka juani kwa siku nyingi. Baadaye watu huzichoma kwa joto mpaka zigeuke rangi ya kahawia nyeusi na kunuka vizuri sana. Hatimaye, mtu husaga punje na kuongeza maji ya moto. Baada ya safari ndefu kutoka shambani, kahawa iko tayari kunywewa.