15 Amazing Facts About High Quality Coffee Beans
The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee plants The two that dominate the market are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is stronger and has more caffeine than the former.
The finest coffee beans are a bit more expensive, but it should not come as a surprise to anyone as more time and effort is invested in their production. Here are some guidelines to identify high-quality coffee beans.
Origin
When buying high-quality coffee beans the roasting process is equally crucial. The location where the beans were grown directly affects their flavor notes acidity, body, and more.
The most well-known and popular type of coffee beans is arabica, and are generally considered to be more premium than robusta beans. However, there are coffee beans near me of arabica beans that vary drastically in their climatic conditions and the taste characteristics.
Coffee from Ethiopia like Ethiopia is known for its fruity and floral flavors, while coffees from Panama are prized for their bright acidity. Another famous type of coffee is geisha. These are tiny beans that can only be found in a handful of areas and have to be sorted by hand prior to roasting. Geisha beans are distinctive and can be tea-like in their body, with mellow flavors, such as vanilla or citrus notes.
When purchasing coffee, you should also take into consideration whether the beans are fair trade, organic or sustainably produced. Some of these buzzwords serve as marketing tactics, but others are actually a sign of the quality of the coffee. For example single origin refers to the fact that all the beans in a coffee originate from the same region. Also, in the case of microlot, it means that the beans were cultivated at high altitudes, and in nutrient soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee however, only two dominate the market: arabica & robusta. Arabica beans are thought to be higher quality and have a more smooth flavor. They are less bitter and are more caffeine-based than robusta.
If you're looking for an excellent whole bean, look for the seal of a specialized roaster. This means that the beans have been inspected and examined for taste, cup quality, and aroma. This process ensures that the beans have been cooked to the right level of darkness and at the proper consistency.
A good roaster will offer a variety of brewing methods. You can then choose the one that is most suitable to your taste. For instance filter coffee is a good match for french presses, while espresso is best when paired with an automatic drip machine.
A bag of beans in whole form allows you to try out different flavors. The cost of beans can be varied, but the extra cost is usually worth it. There are a number of flavors in the same bag, letting you sample a variety of flavors at once. Some brands, such as Stumptown combine beans from several regions to create unique flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for example, has beans from a few of the most renowned regions of the world. It also has a medium-bodied body that includes notes of caramel and fruit jam.
Roast
When they are roasted, the best beans will change from their green state into the inviting deep browns we call coffee. You can observe and feel the transformation in the flavor of the final product.
It is also important to be aware of the roast level. Different levels of roast are used for coffee and darker roasts have greater, more intense flavor than lighter roasts. You can experiment with various roast levels until you find your preferred roast when you roast your coffee.
It is essential to choose beans that are uniformly colored and sized, as this will help ensure uniformity in the roast. It's also important to stir the beans throughout the roasting process which allows them to cook evenly and prevents them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans until they begin to steam. As the steam rises, you'll hear a crackling sound and you'll know that your beans are about to begin roasting. At this point, turn off the popper and place the beans out on baking sheets to cool.
When they're ready to be chilled, place them in a colander made of metal and shake them until they're warm to the touch (this will help get rid of any chaff). Let the beans cool in an airtight container in order for them to release carbon dioxide prior storage.
Storage
When it comes to premium coffee, the most crucial step is to store your beans properly. This will ensure that the beans will remain fresh and retain their excellent flavor. The beans' biggest enemies are moisture, air and heat. It is therefore important to store your beans dried in an airtight container. This will stop them from taking in the odors from other food products in your pantry and it will also prevent them from losing their fresh roasted flavor. Beans should be kept in a cool, dark space. It is essential to store beans in a dark and cool place because light can cause a loss of flavor. Additionally, the heat will cause them to reduce their quality. It is best to use an opaque container for your beans, such as a glass container or a vacuum coffee container. These containers will keep your beans fresh for many years.
It is recommended to keep the beans in storage as soon as you buy them. If you don't want to immediately use them then it is recommended to freeze them. The beans can be frozen to extend their shelf life, but you must thaw them first prior to roasting.
Many people put their unopened beans in attractive jars in order to display them. However, this can actually damage the quality of the beans. It is preferential to have an additional container to store the beans and to secretly keep the beans that aren't being used in a safe place.