When you want to make the perfect cup of coffee, there are many things to consider. The first thing that you need to do is to find the best coffee beans to use.
One mistake that many people often make is that the process of making a good cup of coffee stops there. Even if you buy the most expensive coffee on the market, that is not enough to ensure that the finished product tastes great.
Even before you grind your coffee beans, you need to be aware of the different types of coffee beans that are available. This includes the acidity, growing regions, oiliness, and the overall flavor profile.
Things You Need to Consider
It is important to know how to properly store your coffee beans so that you can maintain their great aromatics as well.
Also, it is extremely important to know how to grind the coffee beans in order to get the best cup of coffee. This includes the settings that you should use and the consistency needed for the different brewing methods.
Choosing the right grinder for your coffee beans is important, as many people assume that all grinders are created equal and simply choose the cheapest one they can find.
This is not the case, as different grinders offer different benefits, and it is important to make sure you choose a good one.
Main Types of Coffee Beans Explained
Taste is something that is highly suggestive. However, there are some objective factors that help determine the quality of the coffee beans.
The first factor to consider is the species of plant that the coffee beans come from.
Coffee plants are broken into two main groups, which are Robusta and Arabica. There are different strains of the coffee plant, and each grows in different regions. In addition, coffee plants offer different flavor profiles.
Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans are the most popular coffee species. This plant originally was native to Ethiopia and is known for having the most balanced flavor profile.
It is speculated that the Arabica beans were the first coffee plants to be cultivated in the world. It has a taste that is not as bitter and offers intricate aromas, which makes it ideal for gourmet coffee.
The Arabica coffee bean has a higher sugar content and more flavorful coffee oils. It also has about half the amount of caffeine as Robusta.
Arabica plants are sensitive to the environment, and because of this, they can only grow in certain climates.
The beans are mostly found in tropical regions, and most plants come from Latin and Central America, Africa, and Asia.
Each of these regions has distinct types of Arabica coffee beans that offer unique flavor profiles.
Robusta Coffee Beans
Robusta coffee plants are more versatile than Arabica. These plants can withstand harsher climates because they are not as sensitive to the pH levels of the soil.
It also has a natural resistance to pests. The larger crop yield makes it more economical, which makes it cheaper to purchase as a consumer.
Robusta coffee beans are considered lower quality than Arabica and are often used for instant coffee and as filler in pre-ground coffee.
While the global demand for Robusta is lower, it has a bolder and more bitter taste and a higher caffeine content, which makes it popular throughout Asia.
Even though Robusta has a higher climate tolerance and yield, it is actually grown in fewer regions in the world than Arabica.
The majority of Robusta coffee comes from Asia, mostly Vietnam, with some being grown in Africa and South America as well.
Robusta blends have a heavy bitterness to them, which makes it more difficult to pinpoint different flavor subtleties. Robusta beans are more earthy, and they have a stronger aftertaste, which is typically not appealing to the western palate.
While the Robusta plant may not produce top coffee beans, the higher-quality varieties are favorable for adding to espresso blends.
Whole Bean Coffee Explained
Whole bean coffee is simply coffee that is not ground before it is packaged. Typically speaking, purchasing whole bean coffee is recommended.
While “whole” foods often refer to products that have undergone a minimum amount of processing, whole bean coffee undergoes a lot of processes such as drying, cleaning, milling, polishing, aging, and of course roasting.
You can purchase “green” coffee that you can roast at home if you want coffee that has undergone the minimal amount of processing. Some things to consider when purchasing your whole coffee beans include:
Growing Region: this is dependent on personal preference. You may have to try beans from different areas to find one that best suits your tastes.
Roasting date: look for coffee that has been roasted within the past two weeks.
Conclusion
When it comes to types of coffee beans, there are really two main types that are used. The Arabica is the preferred coffee bean for the majority of people.
While it is harder to grow, it is the one that is found most often and is used for the majority of gourmet and flavored coffees found on the market.
