Coffee Beans
Some people think choosing a coffee is as easy as going down to the local grocery store and grabbing a bag of brown crystals to mix into hot water for their morning caffeine fix. And while it can be this easy, these poor souls will be missing out on the huge range of delicious flavors that gourmet coffee beans can offer.
This basic introduction to coffee beans and the roasting process will set you on the path to finding the gourmet coffee that is perfect for you.
Types of Coffee Beans
The two main types of coffee beans are Robusta and Arabica. The person mentioned earlier who is more concerned with caffeine than taste will probably be buying Robusta beans. Because they are easy to cultivate, they are a favorite of large coffee companies and are often turned into instant coffee. Robusta beans generally have 50% more caffeine in them than Arabica beans.
Because of their full flavor and quality, Arabica beans are the bean of choice for most gourmet coffees. These beans grow at higher altitudes than Robusta beans and are much harder to produce. Arabica plants yield only one pound of coffee per bush, while Robusta plants produce up to 16 pounds per year.
Growing and Processing
Coffee beans are actually the cherry seeds from a coffee bush. These bushes need lots of sunlight and rain. For that reason, they are grown in Tropical climates such as Central and South America, Africa, Mexico and Indonesia. The cherries are picked by hand in order to make sure that only ripe beans are harvested. Once harvested, the green coffee beans are husked, dried, sorted, and prepared for export.
Roasting
Roasting is extremely important in producing a gourmet coffee. The level of roasting dramatically affects the flavor of the coffee. The different types of roasts are described below.
Light Roast
Also referred to as Mild roast or cinnamon roast, these coffee beans range from cinnamon color (hence the name “cinnamon roast”) to a light chocolate. These beans produce coffees with high acidity and mild taste. Light roasts are often used for espressos because of the sharper, acidic taste. Light roast will have hints of grain flavors and can sometimes be slightly sour.
Medium Roast
A bit darker than light roast and characterized by a fuller flavor and aroma, medium roast is also referred to as Breakfast, American or Full City roast. It is very popular in the United States. Medium roast will have hints of caramel and chocolate.
Dark Roast
Also referred to as French Roast, dark roast colors range from chocolate brown to almost black. They usually have an oily appearance, full body, and a sweet, sometimes smoky flavor.
Choosing a Coffee
Some people prefer the dark roasted coffees. Others enjoy something a little lighter such as a Full City roast. The only way to find out for sure if you like a coffee is by tasting it. Knowing more about coffee beans and the roasting process can make it easier to narrow down the choices to pick something you might like.
