At present, we will discuss all the motivations why we are confident that by the conclusion of this write-up, you will be eager to experience and savor high-class coffee beans!
Let’s get started!
Origin
Coffee has a distinct flavor profile which is largely attributed to its agricultural roots. One of the primary evaluations that coffee industry professionals make when assessing the quality of coffee is inquiring about the region in which it was cultivated. But why does that matter? Is there a distinct difference between coffee from Africa and coffee from South America? The answer is yes, it can! Why? The place where the coffee is cultivated is highly influential.
Two farms located in the same nation can result in producing java with varying qualities due to one being placed at a higher altitude or differing weather conditions as opposed to the other.
What is the role of climate conditions?
If you sample two apples of the same breed grown in two different places, they will have a distinct flavor. It is similar for coffee, and the main reason for that is the environmental elements that have an influence on its features.
These elements include the ground, elevation, precipitation, temperature, and wind. Generally, coffee plants require soils that are well-draining, a slightly inclined terrain, and some protection from direct sunlight. Ideally, the climate should be characterized by warm temperatures and frequent precipitation with a range of 60ºF to 80ºF.
If the temperature is too high, the coffee tree will be adversely impacted. Additionally, it is important that the tree is not subjected to direct sunlight, otherwise it won’t grow correctly and may be destroyed. If the temperature is too low, the coffee cherries might be subjected to freezing.
The reason coffee only thrives in certain parts of the world is due to the fact that they are situated in a specific geographical belt known as the coffee belt, where the perfect conditions exist for coffee trees to flower and prosper. Nonetheless, even amongst nations the climates differ, therefore the coffees from each country don’t offer the same flavor.
What is the importance of altitude in coffee?
The further up we go, the lower the temperature becomes, is that correct? This shift in temperature also greatly affects the flavor of your coffee beans. The height of the level at which the coffee shrub is planted, expressed in meters above sea level, influences the development of sugars and acids in the coffee.
Generally, heights nearer to sea level result in warmer temperatures in the day that promote the progression of sugars and acids in coffee beans, which are saved overnight when temperatures are cooler. Simultaneously, reduced heights equate to lower levels of sugar and acidity, potentially leading to a less intricate taste of the brew.
Farming Practices
Now that the significance of source is understood, let’s discuss how agricultural techniques affect the taste of your java. This is where it all starts, on the farm! The way in which crops are grown sustainably, use of appropriate technology, processing procedure, and type of bean used all have a major influence.
Why does coffee bean variety matter?
It is likely that you have encountered the expression “Arabica” a great deal in conversations. The popularity and worldwide consumption of this coffee species is why it is so renowned. When discussing different types of coffee beans, we are referring to the subspecies within the Arabica genus.
Utilizing the apple as an illustration once more, it is common knowledge that there are a variety of types such as gala, granny smith, and golden delicious. Every one of these apples has a different taste, some are more acidic and some are sugary. The same goes for coffee.
Ethiopia alone harbors thousands of types of coffee beans, and the coffee belt as a whole offers hundreds more. Farmers make their decision about which strains of crops to plant based on considerations such as the size of the beans, their resistance to weather conditions, their resistance to disease, and the anticipated yield and quality.
There is a huge assortment of coffee beans out there, such as Caturra, Catuaí, Bourbon, Typica, Gesha, Pacamara, and many more. Unsurprisingly, each type has its own unique flavor! An example of this is that the Geisha coffee variety is renowned for its flowery aromas, tea-like texture, and mild acidity whereas the Bourbon blend is famous for its sweet flavor profiles.
In what ways can coffee beans be processed?
It eventually reaches the stage at which the farmers decide which type to grow, when it is time to gather the coffee beans. Then comes the processing, where the farmer has to make a decision about how to extract the coffee bean from the cherry.
The taste of your coffee is influenced in more ways than you realize. When you buy gourmet coffee, you might find information about how it was processed listed on the packaging. So today we will tell you what it means!
The three common processing methods:
- Washed/Wet – the farmer uses water washing to remove the seed from the pulp and then dries the beans in raised beds. There is no trace of the pulp left on the bean at this stage.
- Natural – here the beans are dried with the cherry pulp still on them, resulting in a fruitier and sweeter flavor in your cup.
- Honey – the farmers remove the skin of the cherry pulp but don’t wash away the mucilage. The farmer controls the sweetness level of the coffee bean by controlling how much mucilage is on it.
Roast Profile
To bring out the distinct smell and taste of the coffee bean, roasting it accurately is not an effortless task. Rosters commonly test the standard of their coffee by utilizing a technique called cupping in order to determine which roast profile would be most befitting for it.
What is cupping and why is it important?
You may well be familiar with the concept of “wine tasting,” and you may have even taken part in one. Tasting coffee is just like wine tasting, except it is with coffee instead of wine!
The farmers usually dispose of the coffee beans they’ve harvested and processed by either selling them to the roasters directly or to importers that are in collaboration with the roasters. A regular technique used by both roasters and importers to determine the quality of coffee beans is to make a small portion of them and then test the flavor during a cupping.
Frequently, coffee roasters experiment with a variety of baking techniques to find out which one works best for a particular type of java. It is important that the roasters keep an intimate relationship with the growers and comprehend how the country they come from and the raising techniques utilized have had an influence on their coffee beans.
How To Cup Coffee At Home
Cupping Coffee: The Fundamentals
Prior to the lesson, it would be wise to think through the key elements of cupping coffee such as the coffee beans to employ, the steps of the coffee cupping process, and how to determine the quality of the coffee.
Coffee Beans And Roast Types.
Kinds of Beans
You need to stick to using beans from one place specifically, as the purpose is to observe the variations between coffees grown in different locations.
Roast type
Attempt to use coffee beans that have been lightly roasted, if available. Medium roasts work but are hardly ever recommended. Definitely try to avoid dark roasted beans.
Also, make sure the beans are freshly roasted! It is essential to select beans that have been roasted no longer than two weeks ago.
If you’re trying to figure out where to purchase your coffee beans, you might want to look into getting a package of freshly roasted beans from Bean Box!
Ratio
The Specialty Coffee Association recommends 8.25 grams of coffee for each 150 ml of water, and that is the number we will be using. Yet, as we have referred to previously, the totals may differ from guide to guide, so don’t get too fixated on which one to utilize. Just remember, once you pick one, stay consistent!