The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee plants. Arabica and Robusta are the two most sought-after. Robusta is more robust and has more caffeine than the former.
The finest coffee beans are a bit more expensive, but this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, since a lot of time and effort is put into them. Here are some tips for identifying the best coffee beans.
Origin
When you purchase high-quality coffee beans the roasting process is just as important. The location in which the beans were cultivated has an impact directly on their flavor notes, body, acidity and more.
The most well-known, and most popular kind of coffee bean is arabica. They are generally regarded as being superior to robusta. There are four kinds of arabica coffee beans each with its own distinct taste and growing conditions.
For instance, coffee from Ethiopia is renowned for its fruit and floral notes and coffee from Panama is prized for its bright acidity. Another popular kind of coffee is the geisha, which are tiny beans that can only be found in a few areas and must be separated by hand before roasting. These unique beans can have an organic tea-like body as well as a mellow flavor, and hints of citrus or vanilla.
Other factors to consider when purchasing coffee include whether the beans are single origin microlot, fair trade, single origin, sustainably sourced or organic. Certain buzzwords may be marketing tricks but some are actually indicators of the quality of coffee. For instance the term "single origin" refers to the fact that all beans in a coffee come from the same region. Likewise, in the case of microlot, it indicates that the beans were grown at high altitudes in nutrient soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee, however two varieties dominate the market: robusta and arabica. Arabica beans have a smoother taste and are considered to be more premium. They are less bitter and are more caffeine-based than robusta.
If 500g coffee beans searching for a whole bean of superior quality Look for the seal of a specialty roaster. This seal means that the beans were tested for aroma and taste, cup quality and aroma. This process makes sure that the beans are roasted consistently and at the right degree of darkness.
A good roaster must also offer a variety of brewing methods. This means you can select the one that best suits your taste and brewing style. For instance, a filter coffee works well with french presses, whereas espresso is best when paired with an automatic drip machine.
A bag of whole beans lets you to try out different flavors. The cost can vary but the additional cost is generally worth it. You can also find many varieties in the same bag, which will let you try a few different flavors at the same time. Certain brands, like Stumptown, combine beans from several regions to create distinctive flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for instance, is made up of 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, top quality beans will change from their green state to the rich brown shades that we associate with coffee. You can even taste the transition in the flavor of the finished product.
Be aware of the level of roasting. Several different levels of roast are available for coffee, with darker roasts having a stronger, more intense flavor than lighter roasts. You can play around with different roast levels and discover your favorite when you roast your coffee.
It is essential to select beans that are uniform in both size and color, as this will ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is important to stir the beans during roasting as it helps them cook evenly and prevents them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans to a point where they begin to steam. As the steam increases, you'll hear a cracking sound and realize that your beans are now beginning to roast. At this point, you can stop the popper, and place the beans on an oven sheet to cool.
Once they're ready to be cool, put them in a colander made of metal and shake them back and forth until they're warm to the touch (this helps to eliminate any chaff). Let the beans cool down in an airtight container to allow them to release carbon dioxide prior to storing.
Stores
The most important thing to do when it comes gourmet coffee is to store your beans properly. This ensures that they remain fresh and have the best flavor. The beans' biggest enemies are moisture, air and heat. This is the reason it is vital to store beans in a container that is airtight. This will keep them from absorbing odors of other foods in your pantry, and keep them from losing their fresh-roasted flavor. The beans should be stored in a cool, dark space. It is essential to store beans in a dark, cool location because light could cause a loss of flavor. In addition, the heat will cause them to diminish. It is best to use an opaque container for your beans, like a glass canister or a vacuum-filled coffee canister. These containers will keep the beans fresh for a long period of time.
Store the beans as soon you buy them. If you don't want to utilize them immediately it is best to freeze them. The beans can be frozen to prolong their shelf life however, you must allow them to thaw them first before roasting.
Many people keep their unused beans in attractive jars to showcase them. However, this could harm the quality of the beans. It is best to store the beans in a separate container and store them secretly in a convenient location.