The Importance of Buying High Quality Coffee Beans

There are more than 100 varieties of coffee plants, but Arabica and Robusta are the two most popular. The latter is stronger and has more caffeine than the former.

The most premium coffee beans might be a little more expensive however, that shouldn't frighten anyone as they are made with more care and focus. Here are some guidelines for identifying the best coffee beans.

Origin

When buying high quality coffee beans, the source is just as important as the roasting process. The place where the beans were cultivated directly influences their flavors acidity, body, and more.

The most well-known and adored type of coffee bean is arabica. They are generally thought of as superior to robusta. There are four kinds of arabica beans, each with a distinct flavor and growing conditions.

For instance, coffee from Ethiopia is renowned for its fruity and floral aromas and the coffee from Panama is sought-after for its vibrant acidity. Another well-known variety is the geisha. They are small beans that are grown only in a handful of areas and have to be sorted by hand before roasting. These beans are unique and can have natural tea-like bodies with a smooth flavor and notes of vanilla or citrus.

Other considerations to take into account when purchasing coffee include whether the beans are of single origin microlot, fair trade, single origin organic, sustainably sourced or sustainable. Some of these buzzwords are merely marketing tactics, but some really reflect the quality of the coffee. Single origin coffee is all beans from the same region. Microlot coffee indicates that the beans were grown in high altitudes with fertile soil.

Variety

There are more than 100 varieties of coffee, but only two dominate the market: arabica & robusta. Arabica beans have a smoother taste and are considered to be higher quality. They are less bitter and contain less caffeine than robusta.

If you are looking for an authentic whole bean you should look for the seal of a special roaster. This means that the beans have been inspected and evaluated for flavor quality, cup quality, and aroma. This ensures that the beans are roasted consistently and at the right level of darkness.

A good quality coffee beans quality roaster will also provide a variety of methods of brewing. This allows you to select the one that is most suitable to your preferences and the brewing method. For example filter coffees works well with french presses, whereas espresso is best paired with an automatic drip machine.

The purchase of a bag of beans is the perfect way to experiment with a variety of flavors. Prices can vary but the additional cost is usually worth it. There are a variety of flavors in the same bag. This allows you to explore a variety of flavors at one time. Certain brands, like Stumptown combine beans from different regions to create unique tastes. Holler Mountain blend includes beans from the best regions. It's a medium-bodied flavor with notes of fruit jam and caramel.

Roast

When they are roast, the top quality beans will change from a green state to the deep browns we call coffee. You can smell and see the change in the final product.

Pay attention to the intensity of roasting. Different levels of roast are used in unroasted coffee beans with darker roasts having greater, more intense flavor than lighter roasts. If you roast your own barista coffee beans, you are able to alter the level of roast and experiment to find your favorite.

It is crucial to choose beans that are uniformly colored and sized since this will ensure that the roast is uniform in its cooking. It's important to agitate beans during roasting, as this will help them cook evenly and keeps them from burning.

The first step is heating the beans until they begin to steam. There will be a crackling sound as the steam increases. This indicates that the beans have begun to roast. At this point, you can turn off the popper and place beans on an oven sheet to cool.

Once they're cool, place them in an aluminum colander and shake them until they are warm to the touch (this will help remove any chaff). Then let them cool in an airtight container giving them time to release carbon dioxide prior to storage.

Storage

The most important thing you can do when it comes gourmet coffee is to store your beans correctly. This will ensure that your beans are fresh and have a great flavor. The beans' biggest enemies are air, moisture and heat. This is why it is important to store your beans in an airtight container. This will prevent them from absorbing the odors from other food items in your pantry. It will also stop them from losing their fresh roast taste. Beans should be kept in a dark, cool place. This is important because the light can destroy their flavor. Heat will also cause them to lose their flavor. It is recommended to use an opaque container for your beans like a glass canister or a coffee canister vacuum. These containers will keep the beans fresh for a long period of time.

You should try to store the beans when you purchase them. If you can't use them immediately, it's best to freeze them. The beans can be frozen to prolong their shelf life however, you must allow them to thaw prior to roasting.

Some people put their unopened beans in attractive jars to display them. However, this can actually harm the quality of the beans. It is best to store the beans in an additional container and store them in a safe location.