The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are over 100 varieties of coffee plants, but the two that dominate the industry are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is stronger and has more caffeine than the former.
The most premium coffee beans might be a little more expensive however that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, since they're made with more care and focus. Here are some helpful tips to help you determine high-quality coffee beans.
Origin
When purchasing high-quality coffee beans, the source is just as important as the roasting process. The specific region in which the beans were cultivated can influence their flavor notes acidity, body, and much more.
The most well-known, and most popular kind of coffee bean is called arabica. They are generally regarded as having higher quality than robusta. However, there are four different types of arabica beans which differ dramatically in their conditions of cultivation and taste profiles.
For example
coffee beans wholesale suppliers from Ethiopia is known for its fruity and floral aromas and the coffee from Panama is sought-after for its bright acidity. Another famous type of coffee is geisha. These are tiny beans that are only produced in a handful of areas and must be separated by hand prior to roasting. These beans are unique and can be tea-like in their body, with sweet flavors, such as vanilla or citrus notes.
Other things to consider when buying coffee is whether the beans are of single origin microlot, fair trade, single origin, sustainably sourced or organic. Some of these buzzwords serve as marketing tactics, but others really reflect the quality of the coffee. Single origin coffee refers to all beans from the same region. Microlot coffee means the beans were grown at high altitudes, with soil that is rich.
Variety
There are more than 100 coffee species, but only two dominate the market: arabica & robusta. 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're searching for a whole bean of top quality look for the seal of a specialty roaster. This seal signifies that the beans were tested for aroma and taste, cup quality and aroma. This ensures that the beans have been roasted to the correct degree of darkness and the right consistency.
A
good coffee beans roaster will offer a variety of brewing techniques. This means you can select the one that's best suited to your taste and brewing style. For example filter
Unroasted Coffee Beans works well with a French-press, while espresso is best paired with an automatic drip maker.
A bag of whole beans is an excellent way to experiment with various flavors. Prices can vary however the additional cost is usually worth it. You can also find many blends in one bag, which let you taste a variety of flavors at once. Some brands, such as Stumptown combine beans from several regions to create unique flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for instance, includes beans from some of the finest regions in the world. It also features a medium body and notes of caramel and jams of fruit.
Roast
When they are roast, the top quality beans will change from a green color to the rich brown shades that we associate with coffee. You can see and even taste the transition in the flavor of the final product.
Be aware of the level of roasting. There are a variety of levels of roasting for coffee. Roasts with darker levels have an intense and stronger flavor. You can play around with different roast levels to find your personal preference when roasting your coffee.
It is essential to select beans that are uniform in size and color, as this will ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is essential to stir beans while roasting, since it helps them cook evenly and keeps them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans until they reach a temperature where they begin to steam. As the steam increases you'll hear a cracking sound and know that the beans are now beginning to roast. You can now turn off the popper, and spread out the beans to cool on an oven tray.
When you're ready to cool them, put them in a colander made from metal. Shake them repeatedly until they feel warm (this will remove any chaff). Let the beans cool in an airtight container in order for them to release carbon dioxide prior storing them.
Stores
The most important thing you can do when it comes gourmet coffee is to store your beans in a proper manner. This will ensure that the beans are fresh and have excellent flavor. The beans' biggest enemies are air, moisture and heat. This is why it is essential to store beans in a container that is airtight. This will prevent them from absorbing odors from other food items in your pantry. It will also stop them from losing their fresh roasted taste. The beans should be kept in a dark, cool space. This is essential because light can destroy their flavor. Heat will also cause the beans to degrade. Make sure you use a container that is opaque for your beans. This can be a glass container, or a vacuum-packed coffee container. These containers will keep the beans fresh for a long time.
Keep the beans in storage as soon as they are purchased. If you are unable to utilize them immediately, it's best to freeze them. Freezing beans will increase their shelf life, but it is important to thaw them before roasting.
Many people store their unopened beans in attractive jars to showcase them. This could end up harming the beans. It is best to store the beans in an additional container and store them in a safe location.