The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee plants, however Arabica and Robusta are the two most popular. Robusta is more caffeine-rich and a sourer flavor than the former.
The most premium coffee beans might be a bit more expensive, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone because they are made with more care and attention. Here are some tips to identify high-quality coffee beans.
Origin
When purchasing high-quality coffee beans the roasting process is just as crucial. The location in which the beans were cultivated has a direct impact on the flavors acidity, body, and much more.
The most well-known, and most expensive coffee beans popular type of coffee bean to cup coffee beans is arabica. They are generally thought of as being superior to robusta. There are four kinds of arabica coffee bean shop beans each with a different taste and growing conditions.
For instance coffee from Ethiopia is renowned for its fruit and floral notes, while coffee from Panama is renowned for its vibrant acidity. Another famous kind of coffee is the geisha, which are tiny beans that can only be found in a handful of areas and have to be sorted by hand before roasting. These beans are unique, and they can have a natural tea-like bodies, mellow flavor and notes of citrus or vanilla.
When buying coffee, think about whether the beans you purchase are fair trade, organic or sustainably source. Some of these buzzwords may be just marketing tactics however, others are real indicators of the coffee bean shop quality of the coffee. Single origin coffee is all beans from the same region. Microlot coffee signifies that the beans were grown in high altitudes and with a rich soil.
Variety
There are over 100 species of coffee, however only two varieties dominate the market: robusta and arabica. Arabica beans are thought to be higher quality and have a smoother flavor. They also have lower levels of caffeine and less bitterness than robusta.
If you’re looking for a complete bean of top quality Look for the seal from a specialty roaster. This seal signifies that the beans have been inspected for aroma and taste, cup quality and aroma. This ensures that the beans have been roasted to the correct level of darkness and the right consistency.
A good roaster must also offer different brew methods. You can then pick the one that is most suitable to your preferences. For instance, a filter coffee works well with the french press, whereas espresso is best paired with an automatic drip machine.
A bag of beans that are whole allows you to sample a variety of flavors. The price tag varies but it’s usually worth the additional cost. You can also find many blends in the same bag, which lets you sample a variety of flavors at once. Certain brands, like Stumptown, combine beans from various regions to create unique flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for instance, contains beans from the world’s finest regions. It also has a medium body, with notes of caramel and jams of fruit.
Roast
The color of the coffee beans will change from green to rich shades of brown we associate with high-quality beans. You can even taste the transition in the flavor of the finished product.
Pay attention to the intensity of roasting. There are various levels of roasting coffee. Roasts with darker levels have more of a strong and intense flavor. When roasting your own coffee, it is possible to adjust the roasting temperature and experiment until you find your favorite.
It is crucial to select beans that are uniform in both size and color in order to ensure consistency throughout the roast. It’s also important to stir the beans during roasting which allows them to cook evenly and stops them from burning.
The first step is heating the beans until they start to steam. As the steam increases you’ll hear a crackling sound and realize that your beans are beginning to roast. Then, turn off the popper, and spread out the beans to cool on a baking tray.
Once they’re cool, place them in a colander made from metal and shake them until they’re warm to the touch (this helps to eliminate 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 gourmet coffee is to properly store your beans. This will ensure that the beans stay fresh and have excellent flavor. The beans’ biggest enemies are moisture, air and heat. Therefore, it is essential to store your beans dried in a sealed container. This will stop the beans from absorbing odors from other foods in your pantry, and will also ensure that they don’t lose their fresh roasted flavor. Beans should be kept in a dark, cool place. This is essential because light can ruin their flavor. In addition the heat can cause them to degrade. Make sure you use a container that is transparent for your beans. This could be a glass canister or a luxury coffee beans canister vacuum-packed. 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 immediately use them it is best to freeze them. The beans can be frozen to extend their shelf-life however, you must allow them to thaw them prior to roasting.
Many people keep their unused beans in attractive jars to display them. This can harm the beans. It is recommended to store the beans in a separate container and keep them secretly in a convenient location.