7 Things About High Quality Coffee Beans You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are over 100 species of coffee plant and the two that dominate the market are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is a lot more caffeine-rich and a stronger taste than the earlier.
bean to cup coffee beans may be a little more expensive but that shouldn't shock anyone as they are made with greater care and attention. Here are some guidelines to help you identify the top quality coffee beans.
Origin
When buying high-quality coffee beans roasting is just as important. The specific region in which the beans were cultivated may influence the flavors acidity, body, and more.
The most popular and well-known kind of coffee beans are arabica, and are generally considered higher quality than robusta beans. There are four types of arabica coffee beans, each with its own distinct taste and growing conditions.
Coffee from Ethiopia, for example, is renowned for its floral and fruity flavors, whereas coffees from Panama are prized for their bright acidity. Another well-known type of coffee is geisha. These are small beans that can only be found in a handful of areas and must be hand sorted before roasting. These beans are unique and can have natural tea-like bodies as well as a mellow flavor, and hints of citrus or vanilla.
Other things to consider when buying coffee is whether the beans are of single origin microlot, fair trade, single origin organic, sustainably sourced or sustainable. Some of these buzzwords are simply marketing strategies, while others truly signify the quality of the coffee. Single origin coffee is all the beans coming from the same region. Microlot coffee signifies that the beans were cultivated in high altitudes and with a rich soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 kinds of coffee, however two varieties dominate the market: robusta and arabica. Arabica beans are considered to be of higher quality and have a more smooth flavor. They also contain a lower amount of caffeine and less bitterness than robusta.
If you are looking for an authentic whole bean, look for the seal of a special roaster. The seal signifies that the beans have been inspected for aroma and cup quality as well as taste. This ensures that beans have been cooked to the right degree of darkness and at the proper consistency.
A good roaster will also offer a variety methods of brewing. This means you can select the one that best suits your taste and brewing style. For instance, a filter coffee will work well with a french press, 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 price varies but it's usually worth the additional cost. There are a variety of kinds of blends in the same bag. This allows you to try several different flavors all at one time. Some brands, like Stumptown combine beans from various regions to create distinctive flavors. Holler Mountain blend includes beans from some the world's best regions. It's medium-bodied with notes of jam and caramel.
Roast
When they are roasted, top quality beans will transform from their green state into the inviting rich brown shades that we consider coffee. You can taste and witness the change in the final product.
You should also pay attention to the roast level. There are a variety of levels of roasting coffee. Darker roasts have more of a strong and intense flavor. When roasting your own coffee, you are able to regulate the roasting level and play around to discover your favorite.
It is important to select beans that are uniformly colored and sized, as this will help ensure that the roast is uniform in its cooking. It is important to stir the beans throughout roasting, as this ensures that they cook evenly and keeps them from burning.
The first step is to warm the beans to a point where they begin to steam. As the steam increases, you'll hear a crackling sound and know that your beans are starting to roast. You can now turn off the popper, and then spread the beans to cool on a baking tray.
When they're ready cooled, place them into a colander made of metal and shake them until they are warm to the touch (this will help to remove any chaff). Then, let the beans cool in an airtight container, so that they can get rid of carbon dioxide before storage.
Storage
When it comes to premium coffee, the most important step is to store your beans properly. This will ensure that the beans are fresh and have a great flavor. The beans' biggest enemies are moisture, air and heat. It is therefore crucial to store your dried beans in a sealed container. This will prevent them from absorbing the odors from other food items in your pantry and it will also keep them from losing their fresh, roasted taste. The beans should be kept in a dark, cool place. This is crucial because light could destroy their flavor. Also, heat can cause the beans to degrade. Choose a container that's transparent for your beans. This could be a glass container, or a vacuum-packed coffee canister. These containers will keep the beans fresh for a long period of time.
The beans should be stored as soon as you buy them. If you cannot use them immediately then it is recommended to freeze them. Freezing the beans will extend their shelf-life, but it is important to thaw the beans prior to roasting.
Many people put their unopened beans in attractive jars in order to display them. This could end up harming the beans. It is better to have an additional container to store the beans and to keep the beans that aren't used in a suitable location.