The Coffee Niche

Any gourmet coffee connoisseur knows that a terrific cup of espresso originates from good quality  espresso beans. Though there are numerous factors that contribute to quality, you will find three key areas of importance: country of origin, roast, and blend.

Coffee was first grown in the Arab world, but is now grown in more than 70 countries worldwide. Brazil is by and large the current world-leader in coffee production. Indonesia, Colombia and Vietnam are not much behind. The quality of the beans generally speaking continues to be to be of consistently high quality. By purchasing coffee beans from these countries, consumers reduce the risk of obtaining mediocre batches. Of course, exceptional coffee plants can be found in other places. It’s just good to keep in mind that the C. arabica plant is the most highly regarded. C. arabica plants thrive in high altitudes and lower temperatures. Lower altitudes produce the C. canephora plants which are of significantly lower quality. If you favour a specific blend of coffee make sure that you know where the beans are coming from.

The coffee we drink isn’t made out of raw coffee berries. If it were, it would taste quite unpleasant and bitter. Roasting the raw coffee berries brings out the flavour and becomes what we know as coffee beans. There are light, medium, and dark roasts. A light, or cinnamon roast, produces a somewhat delicate flavor. The term cinnamon is used to describe the light color of the roasted coffee bean, not the specific flavor. Medium roasts are maybe the most common. They are generally heartier and sweeter than light roasts. Many coffee grounds purchased at the local supermaket are in the medium roast family. Lastly, there are dark roasts. Dark roasted coffee possesses a noticeably strong and pungent flavor. It’s oftentimes consumed “black”, or without milk. The richly aromatic flavor of a dark roast makes it perfect for espressos.

Once the different roasts are understood, it can be easy to ascertain why coffee blends are getting to be quite popular. By mixing different beans, entirely new flavor combinations can be achieved. Some of the most common blends have names like “breakfast blend”, “espresso blend” and so on. The reality is that coffee blending options are truly endless. Considering that coffee is produced worldwide, and roasted many different ways, it’s safe to assume that you will find thousands of coffee blending choices. One just has to choose whether or not they have a preference for a commercial blend, like the ones sold by Starbucks, or a uniquely concocted regional blend. It’s important to understand that espresso drinks use darkly roasted beans. Make sure to check the packaging of any coffee blend to make certain only dark beans are used.

It may seem difficult attempting to locate the best espresso beans. It merely requires a basic understanding of the different locales and roasts, and the way the beans are blended. Add in a true appreciation for good coffee, and let the exciting search start. Of course, it all boils down to personal tastes and preferences. What one person could find unappealing could be your golden cup of joe.

Do you like your espresso coffee, but don’t like having to drive all the way to the coffee shop to order some? Wish you could make great tasting espresso at home? Now you can. Espresso makers have come a long way in recent years, these days it’s not necessary to be an expert to make a cup of great tasting espresso.

10% off Keurig Brewers