When a coffee tree reaches maturity, it begins to bear fruit in clusters along its branches. The fruit is known as a coffee cherry due to its resemblance to normal cherries. The coffee cherry is initially green and turns to red, yellow or orange when it has matured and is ready for harvesting.

The first harvest of a coffee plant is usually around five years after planting. Coffee is usually harvested only once a year during the dry season; however, some countries do produce a second, smaller harvest such as Colombia’s mitaca harvest.