The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans
There are more than 100 species of coffee plants, but Arabica and Robusta are the two most sought-after. The latter has more caffeine and a more bitter taste than the former.
The finest coffee beans are more expensive, but this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, since a lot of time and effort is put into the production of them. Here are some suggestions for identifying the best coffee beans.
Origin
When purchasing premium coffee beans roasting the process is just as important. The area in which the beans were cultivated has a direct impact on the flavor notes, body, acidity and more.
The most well-known and popular type of coffee beans are arabica, and are generally thought to be superior to robusta beans. There are four types of arabica coffee beans each with a distinct flavor and growing conditions.
Coffee from Ethiopia is a good example. It is known for its floral and fruity tastes, while coffees made in Panama are sought-after for their bright acidity. Geisha is another well-known variety. These small beans are only available in specific regions and have to be sorted manually before roasting. Geisha beans are distinctive and can have a tea-like body and soft flavors, like vanilla or citrus notes.
Other aspects to consider when purchasing coffee include whether the beans are single origin microlot, fair trade organic, sustainably-sourced or sustainable. Some of these buzzwords are simply marketing strategies, while others really indicate the quality of the coffee. For example single origin refers to the fact that all beans in a particular coffee come from the same area, and in the case of microlot, it indicates that the beans were cultivated at high altitudes and in nutrients rich soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 varieties of coffee and varieties, but two dominate the market: arabica & robusta. Arabica beans are considered higher quality and have a smoother flavor. They have less bitterness and caffeine than robusta.
If you are looking for an authentic whole bean be sure to look for the seal of a special roaster. This means that the beans have been scrutinized and examined for taste as well as cup quality and aroma. This ensures that beans have been roasted to the correct level of darkness and at the proper consistency.
A good quality roaster will also offer a variety ways to brew. You can then pick the one that best fits your preferences. For instance filter coffee is a great match with a French-press, and espresso is best when paired with an automatic drip maker.
Buying a bag of whole beans is an excellent way to play with different flavors. The price tag varies, but it's usually worth the extra cost. There are many blends within the same bag. This lets you taste a variety of different flavors at one time. Certain brands, like Stumptown blend beans from different regions to create distinctive flavors. Holler Mountain blend includes beans from some the world's best regions. It also has a medium body, with notes of caramel and fruit jam.
Roast
When roasted, high quality beans will change from their green hue to the rich shades of brown that we consider coffee. You can observe and taste the transition in the taste of the finished product.
You should also be aware of the roast level. There are many different levels of roast are used in coffee and darker roasts have more intense, stronger flavor than lighter roasts. If you roast your own coffee, you are able to regulate the roasting level and experiment to discover your favorite.
wholesale coffee beans uk is important to select beans that are uniform in both size and color in order to ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is essential to stir beans while roasting, since this ensures that they cook evenly and prevents them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans until they begin to steam. You'll hear a crackling sound as the steam increases. This means that your beans have started to roast. You can now turn off the popper, and spread the beans to cool on a baking tray.
When you're ready to cool them, place them in a colander that is made of metal. Shake them repeatedly until they feel warm (this will get rid of any chaff). Let the beans cool down in an airtight container to allow them to release carbon dioxide before storing them.
Storage
The most important thing to do when it comes to gourmet coffee is to store your beans in a proper manner. This ensures they stay fresh and offer the best taste. The beans' greatest enemies are moisture, air and heat. It is therefore essential to keep your dried beans in a sealed container. This will prevent the beans from absorbing the smells from other food items in your pantry. It will also stop them from losing their fresh roast taste. The beans should be kept in a dark, cool space. It is crucial to store beans in a dark, cool location because light could ruin their flavor. It also causes the beans to degrade. Make sure you use a container that is transparent for your beans. This could be a glass canister, or a coffee canister that is vacuum packed. These containers will keep your beans fresh for many years.
You should try to keep the beans in storage the moment you purchase them. However, if not able to utilize them immediately the best option is to freeze them. Freezing the beans will extend their shelf life, but it is important to let them thaw them prior to roasting.
Some people keep their unused beans in attractive jars so that they can display them. However, this can affect the quality of the beans. It is best to store the beans in a separate container and keep them secretly in a convenient location.