11 Ways To Completely Redesign Your High Quality Coffee Beans
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 top coffee beans are more expensive, but this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone since more time and effort is invested in the production of them. Here are some guidelines to help you identify top-quality coffee beans.
Origin
When buying high quality coffee beans, the origin is as important as the roasting process. The region where the beans were cultivated has an impact directly on the flavors acidity, body, and more.
The most well-known and popular kind of coffee bean is called arabica. They are generally thought of as being superior to robusta. There are four types of arabica coffee beans each with a different taste and growing conditions.
For example coffee from Ethiopia is known for its fruity and floral aromas as well as coffee from Panama is prized for its bright acidity. Another famous type of coffee is geisha. These are small beans that are only produced in a few areas and require hand sorting before roasting. Geisha beans are distinct and may have a tea-like body with sweet flavors, citrus or vanilla notes.
Other things to consider when buying coffee is whether the beans are single origin, microlot, fair trade organic, sustainably sourced, or sustainable. Some of these buzzwords are simply marketing techniques, while others are actually a sign of the quality of the coffee. For instance the term "single origin" refers to the fact that all the beans in a particular coffee come from the same area, and if the coffee is microlot, it means that the beans were cultivated at high altitudes and in nutrient rich soil.
Variety
There are more than 100 coffee species, but only two dominate the market: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans have a smoother taste and are believed to be more premium. They also contain less caffeine and less bitterness than robusta.
If you're looking to purchase a whole bean of superior quality look for the seal from a specialty roaster. This means that the beans have been scrutinized and evaluated for taste, cup quality, and aroma. This process makes sure that the beans are roasted consistently and to the right level of darkness.
A good quality roaster will also offer a variety of different brewing methods. You can then pick the one that is most suitable to your preferences. For example, a filter coffee is a good match for french presses, whereas espresso will work best with an automatic drip machine.
A bag of beans in whole form allows you to experiment with different flavors. The price tag varies but it's usually worth the extra cost. There are a number of blends in the same bag, letting you sample a variety of flavors at once. Some brands, like Stumptown combine beans from several regions to create distinctive flavors. Their Holler Mountain blend, for instance, includes beans from some of the world's finest regions. It also has a medium-bodied body that includes notes of caramel and jams of fruit.
Roast
When they are roast, the top quality beans will transform from their green state to the rich brown hues that we consider coffee. Coffeee can even taste the change in the taste of the finished product.
Pay attention to the degree of roasting. There are various levels of roasting for coffee. Roasts with darker levels have more of a strong and intense flavor. You can experiment with various roast levels to find your preferred roast when you roast your coffee.
It is important to select beans that are uniform in size and color, as this will ensure consistency throughout the roast. It is important to stir the beans while roasting, since this will help them cook evenly and prevents them from burning.
The first step is to heat the beans to that they begin to steam. As the steam rises, you'll hear a cracking sound and know that your beans are beginning to roast. At this point, shut off the popper and place the beans out on a baking sheet to cool.
When you're ready to cool them, put them in a colander made of metal. Shake them around until they feel warm (this will eliminate any chaff). Allow the beans to cool in an airtight container, allowing them to release carbon dioxide prior to storing.
Stores
When it comes to premium coffee, the most important step is storing your beans in a proper manner. This ensures they stay fresh and have the best taste. Heat, humidity and air are beans' primary enemies. It is therefore essential to keep your dried beans in a sealed container. This will stop them from absorbing odors of other foods in your pantry, and ensure that they don't lose the fresh roast flavor. Beans should be kept in a dark, cool place. It is crucial to store them in a dark, cool location as light can alter their taste. The heat can cause the beans to degrade. Make sure you use a container that is opaque for your beans. This can be a glass canister, or a coffee canister that is vacuum packed. These containers will keep your beans fresh for years.
It is recommended to keep the beans in storage immediately after you purchase them. However, if you're not able to use them right away then it is recommended to freeze them. The beans that are frozen will prolong their shelf-life, but it is essential to defrost them before roasting.
Many people store their unopened beans in attractive jars in order to display them. This could end up harming the beans. It is preferential to have an additional container to store the beans and to secretly keep the unused beans in a suitable location.