The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are more than 100 species of coffee plants. Arabica and Robusta are the two most adored. Robusta is a lot more caffeine-rich and a more bitter taste than the earlier.
The most premium coffee beans might be a little more expensive, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone, since they’re made with more care and focus. Here are some guidelines to help you determine high-quality coffee beans.
Origin
When purchasing high-quality coffee beans the roasting process is just as important. The region where the beans were grown directly influences the flavors, body, acidity and much more.
The most well-known and well-loved type of coffee bean is arabica. They are generally regarded as superior to robusta. There are four kinds of arabica beans, each with its own distinct taste and growing conditions.
For example strong coffee beans from Ethiopia is renowned for its fruity and floral flavors as well as coffee from Panama is prized for its vibrant acidity. Another popular kind of coffee is the geisha, which are small beans that are only produced in a few areas and require hand sorting prior to roasting. Geisha beans are distinct and can have a tea-like body with soft flavors, citrus or vanilla notes.
Other things to consider when buying barista coffee beans is whether the beans are of single origin, microlot, fair trade, sustainably sourced or organic. Some of these buzzwords could be marketing tricks, but others are true indicators of the quality of coffee. For instance single origin refers to the fact that all the beans in a cup come from the same region, and when the coffee is microlot, it indicates that the beans were cultivated at high altitudes and in nutrient soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 species of coffee. However, only two types of coffee beans dominate the market: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans are regarded as higher quality and have a smoother flavor. They also have a lower caffeine content and less bitterness than robusta.
If you’re looking for an excellent whole bean be sure to look for the seal of a specialist roaster. This means that the beans have been examined and evaluated for taste the cup’s quality, cup size, and aroma. This process makes sure that the beans are cooked consistently and to the correct level of dark.
A quality roaster will also provide a variety of methods of brewing. This allows you to select the one that best suits your taste and brewing style. For example, a filter coffee works well with a french press, while espresso is best paired with an automatic drip machine.
Purchasing a bag of whole beans is the perfect way to experiment with different flavors. The cost of beans can be varied however the additional cost is usually worth it. There are also a variety of varieties in the same bag, letting you try a few different flavors at once. Certain brands, such as Stumptown, combine beans from various regions to create distinctive flavors. Holler Mountain blend includes beans from the best regions. It’s a medium-bodied flavor with hints of fruit jam and caramel.
Roast
The color of the coffee beans will change from green to rich shades of brown we associate with coffeee beans of high-quality. You can see and even feel the transformation in the taste of the finished product.
Pay attention to the intensity of roasting. Several different levels of roast are used in coffee, with darker roasts having an intense, stronger flavor than lighter ones. If you roast your own coffee, you can control the roast level and experiment until you discover your favorite.
It is essential to select beans that are uniform in size and color to ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is crucial to stir beans while roasting, since it helps them cook evenly and keeps them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans to a level where they begin to steam. As the steam rises you’ll hear a crackling sound and know that your beans are now beginning to roast. At this point, you can stop the popper, and spread the beans on baking sheets to cool.
When you’re ready to cool them, put them in a colander that is made of metal. Shake them repeatedly until they feel warm (this will remove any chaff). Then, let the beans cool in an airtight container so that they can get rid of carbon dioxide before storage.
Storage
The most important thing to do when it comes to gourmet coffee is to properly store your beans. This will ensure that the beans will remain fresh and retain their delicious 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 prevent them from taking in the odors from other food products in your pantry. It will also keep them from losing their fresh roasted flavor. The beans should be stored in a cool, dark location. It is important to keep beans in a dark and cool location as light can ruin their flavor. In addition, the heat will cause them to diminish. Make sure to use a container which is transparent for your beans. This could be a glass jar, or a coffee canister that is vacuum packed. These containers will keep your beans fresh for years.
Store the beans as soon you purchase them. However, if unable to use them immediately it is recommended to store them in a freezer. The beans can be frozen to prolong their shelf-life however, you must allow them to thaw prior to roasting.
Many people store their unused beans in attractive jars in order to showcase them. This can harm the beans. It is better to have an additional container to store the beans and to keep the beans that are not used in a suitable location.