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Coffee Topics
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General Guide to Buying CoffeeAlthough coffee is one of the most heavily consumed drinks on the earth, many people know generally little about what factors that can determine the difference between a great cup of coffee and a mediocre one. This guide will help clear up the basics of choosing and buying coffee. How is coffee bought on the Internet any different than the coffee at the grocery store two blocks away? There are many differences between the coffee bought online and the coffee bought at grocery stores. Generally the grade of coffee bought online is higher than that at grocery stores, however the most significant factor that separates grocery store coffee with that bought online is the freshness. FreshnessCoffee degrades quickly after it has been roasted. The optimal time to drink coffee is 2-5 days after roasting, however if coffee is stored right, the flavor will stay relatively well for almost two weeks. After three weeks the coffee flavor has been ruined for the most part. Therefore any coffee bought on a shelf, since it has probably been sitting there for weeks already, will usually have a poor flavor. No matter what kind of airtight containers the coffee is shipped in, after roasting the coffees flavor will degrade within a matter of weeks. UnroastedUnroasted coffee will stay very fresh for months, which is making it a great choice for those who are very serious about the coffee they drink. Since you can roast coffee in a variety of ways (including a popcorn maker), many people have switched to buying unroasted coffee.
The Bitter TruthSo last time I went down to the store and bought some nice fancy Kona coffee, however it tasted no better than the regular coffee I have been buying over the years. Coffee regulations in the United States only require manufacturers to specify that they are selling 100% coffee. This allows coffee manufacturers to blend 10% of an expensive type of Kona coffee with a much cheaper grade and advertise is it as Kona Coffee. This not only soils the reputation of Kona coffee, but it is a very dishonest trick. Therefore when you buy international coffee, make sure they specify that it is 100% from the country and crop advertised. For more information on this point, read Kona Coffee Confusion. Other Buying Tips
Beginner's Guide to Unroasted CoffeeRoasting one's own unroasted coffee ensures not only the freshest coffee, but the cheapest gourmet coffee available. Those who love the very expensive coffee should consider home-roasting, as unroasted coffee usually can cost as little as 1/2 the price of roasted coffee, which in a short time can pay off the initial cost of a coffee roaster. For those who have never tried it, it usually will cost around 130-165$ for a roaster that will do all work for you, which is normally what you should start with. Some roasting experts use stovetop popcorn makers, or other similar devices, however they are not recommended unless you know what you are doing, for you can easily ruin the coffee. One of the best roasters that we have found to create an evenly roasted batch with ease is the Hearthware I-Roast, which is generally priced about 165$. We recommend this roaster anyone new to the process. It usually takes about 1/2 hour to roast enough for several pots of coffee, so it is not a terribly time-consuming process. The Tastes of the WorldInternational regions tend to share similar tastes, aromas, and other characteristics. I will classify the major regions into four groups: Central America, South America, Africa, and Indonesia. Central AmericaCentral American coffees are generally light-bodied (the body refers to the thickness or feeling in the mouth). These coffees actually feel 'lighter' in your mouth than the heavier Indonesian coffees. They are usually said to have a crisp or bold taste, which refers to the somewhat sharp punch of Central American coffees and relatively high acidity. Some examples or highlights include:
South AmericaClose relative (literally and figuratively) to Central America, our South American countries tend to have slightly heavier bodies than Central American coffee, with slightly peculiar aromas and overtones. They share the same crips bold taste, and generally still share the high acidity. Some examples or highlights include:
AfricaThe origin place of all coffee, Africa has unique coffee with sweet, fruity, spicy, and exotic flavors. This coffee is often sought by coffee experts due to its unique aromas and overtones, however those new to flavors may find some of them odd-tasting. The only way to really get a feel of them is to try them, and some examples or highlights include:
IndonesiaIndonesian coffee has a long finish, very heavy body, full flavor, and low acidity. There is not much gourmet coffee produced in that area; the coffee grown there is highly prized for its taste and smooth finish. Although the gourmet beans are rare, this coffee usually remains at a relatively low price due to its low popularity.
Published: May 2005, Last Modified: September 2011 |
