How I Grew Coffee Trees in Korea’s Harsh Climate — A 3-Year Journey from Seed to Berry
☀️ A Warm Winter Surprise in Korea
In November 2022, I visited a coffee farm in Gyeongsangbuk-do, one of Korea’s warmer regions.
Even in winter, the greenhouse didn’t dip below freezing. And inside?
The coffee trees were thriving—lush, green, and full of ripening red cherries.
Inspired by that visit, I brought home several small coffee saplings the following year.
From Pots to the Ground — Learning to Grow Coffee
I started with 1-meter tall coffee plants, unsure if they were truly growing.
To give them more sun, I moved them to the right side of the greenhouse.
Eventually, they grew enough to bear fruit, and I even brought one to a local festival as part of a display.
❄️ The First Winter
Knowing that coffee trees need a minimum of 15–18°C (59–64°F) to survive, I moved them into our indoor café space where they stayed warm and green throughout the season.
🌿 Replanting and Recovery
In May 2024, we moved to a larger farm and replanted the coffee trees into the ground.
Compared to their pots, the trees now seemed smaller—but healthier.
By August, they were lush again.
I imagined a “coffee forest” tall enough to hide the greenhouse ceiling—just like in Gyeongbuk.
❄️ The Second Winter
But the second winter was different.
By then, the café had closed, and The trees were moved to a new farm.
Unlike the milder Gyeongbuk region, our inland location is brutally cold in winter.
I maintained the greenhouse at around 10°C (50°F)—but that wasn’t enough.
The coffee trees responded by shedding almost all their leaves, clinging to survival with only a few bare, thorny branches.
It was heartbreaking to watch.
But somehow, they endured.
🌸 When Do Coffee Flowers Bloom in Korea?
In their native regions, coffee trees flower in spring or fall depending on hemisphere.
But Korea’s four seasons shift that cycle.
After growing them for 3 years, here’s what I observed:
- 🌼 Flowers appear between June and August
- 🍏 Green cherries form from September to November
- 🍒 Cherries ripen red between November and May of the next year
Sunlight and temperature are key.
More sunlight means faster ripening.
Less light? The cherries take longer to turn red.
🌱 From Red Cherry to Coffee Seedling
Once ripe, the red coffee cherry reveals a familiar seed—the coffee bean.
I planted these beans in moist seed-starting mix.
After about a month (yes, they take time), the seedlings emerged.
- The cotyledons looked like mini cabbage leaves.
- A few weeks later, the true coffee leaves appeared.
💨 Why Wind Matters for Coffee Health
In their native habitats—above 800 meters elevation—coffee trees grow with regular wind.
Without airflow, they’re vulnerable to pests like scale insects. And in Korea, these pests are aggressive.
But Korea’s average elevation is only 300 meters, with few windy highlands.
DaeGwanRyeong in Gangwon-do might qualify, but it’s far too cold.
That’s why outdoor cultivation in Korea is nearly impossible—but smart farms or greenhouses might be the future.
In fact, most people in Korea grow coffee trees indoors as ornamental plants—like Monstera.
☕ Final Thoughts — Life of a Coffee Immigrant
Our coffee trees have migrated just like us—through burning summers and freezing winters.
They’ve shed their leaves, braved the cold, and come back greener each spring.
It’s been a journey.
But if a tropical tree can fight its way through Korean soil and still bear fruit,
maybe we all can, too.
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