This year on April 12th we celebrate Tsvetnitsa (the Flowers’’ day) - one of the most beautiful spring holidays in the Bulgarian calendar. On the last Sunday before Easter, everyone bearing the names of flowers, trees and other plants is celebrated. The traditions in some parts of Bulgaria differ in some level, but the main symbol that presents everywhere is the willow branch, which is consecrated in the church and everyone should take it to their home - for health and grace. On another hand for those, who love coffee, did you know that there is also a special event happening in the coffee farms that occurs close to this day?

In the coffee culture we call this period of the year the “Coffee Flowering” or the “Blooming”. We might be wondering what is this and how it could be related with Tsvetnitsa.


What is coffee flowering?

In the coffee world exists a few events with high importance and one of them is the Flowering period. But what exactly is this? This is a biological process, of the coffee tree, where the plants start the reproduction activity. And proof of that are the flowers, which are white, small and highly, like jasmine fragrant. (SNIMKA2)

When it happens?

There is the so called “Coffee belt”, you can check our previous blog post to know about this, that determinates the countries, able to produce coffee. The flowering is seasonal and it happens during rainy periods, which in some countries is in the beginning of April and another one - May or sometimes February and March.



Why flowering occurs?

Essentially, “Coffee Flowering” or “Blooming” happens because of a simple reason. The coffee plant need to keep producing each year, so it has to flower. The main factor that affects this beginning of the entire coffee chain is the climate and the amount of rain.


And then what?

A month after this happen, the aroma of the flowers is at its strongest point and the petals start falling down. The remaining carpels, are the ones that will become coffee cherries. The self-pollination of the plants, mature these cherries until they ripe.

As for Bulgaria is a big event Tsvetnitsa, for the coffee industry - the same. This is the firsts step that indicates the prosperous and the good future of the coffee production at the origin.




Now that you know a little bit more and the beginning of the coffee process, every time that you enjoy drinking your freshly roasted coffee, remember that before it gets to you, everything started with those little white flowers.