Coffee is one of the most traded products in the world. It was first discovered in Ethiopia, but found its way to Central America, Some of the most renowned regions or countries known for high grade java include Columbia regions, Kano, Java and Brazil ā with its high altitude, ideal from harvesting coffee. Parts of Europe and Australia have now begun growing the plant as well.
The challenge in harvesting high quality coffee is often due to the typography of the land on which it is growing . The altitude, the soil composition, the rainfall, things unique to the land where the coffee grows.
Coffee Beans
One thing is to explore everything about coffee beans and the different varieties you could choose from. Roasted beans are processed from the sorting, roasting method, cooling and packaging of the end product.Arabic java on the other hand is high quality beans cultivated from high altitude and rich soils.Green or organic beans are highly preferred for their health-safe and environmental-friendly features.
Roasting Coffee
Roasting brings out the aroma and flavor that is locked inside the green coffee beans. Beans are stored green, a state in which they can be kept without loss of quality or taste. Roasting causes chemical changes to take place as the beans are rapidly brought to very high temperatures. When they reach the peak of perfection, they are quickly cooled to stop the process. Roasted beans smell like coffee, and weigh less because the moisture has been roasted out.Light brown in color, this roast is generally preferred for milder coffee varieties. There will be no oil on the surface of these beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oils to break through to the surface.
Medium roasts
This roast is medium brown in color with a stronger flavor and a non-oily surface.
Medium dark roasts
Rich, dark color, this roast has some oil on the surface and with a slight bittersweet aftertaste.
Dark roasts
This roast produces shiny black beans with an oily surface and a pronounced bitterness. The darker the roast, the less acidity will be found in the coffee beverage.Ā Dark roast coffees run from slightly dark to charred, and the names are often used interchangeably ā be sure to check your beans before you buy them!
Grinding Coffee
Grinding your beans just prior to brewing results in a much stronger and fresher flavor. The type of grind you use should correspond to the way you brew your coffee. You should use the finest grind possible for your brew method without going too fine.
There are basically two types of coffee grinders.
Blade Grinders
These grinders use a sharp metal blade to literally chop up your coffee beans. As the blade spins, the coffee beans are chopped. You control the fineness of the grind by “pulsing” the power button until you’re satisfied.
Burr Grinders
Burr grinders crush the beans between a moving grinding wheel and a non-moving surface. Typically, the burr position can be adjusted to regulate the grind size.
Hand coffee grinder
If thereās one thing that separates a good cup of coffee from an excellent one, itās freshly ground coffee beans. And thereās no greater feeling than using a hand coffee grinder to grind your own beans. While the automatic grinders help speed up the coffee preparation process, the hand coffee grinders force you to slow down and savor the experience from bean to cup. Take a look at the Porlex Mini Mill Hand Grinder to get started
If your coffee is ground too fine, however, the coffee can be over-extracted and bitter. Small changes in grind size can drastically affect the taste of your final brew.
How to Store Coffee
The negatives of roasted coffee are moisture, air, light, and heat. Storing your coffee away from them will keep it fresher longer. Keep It Shelved. The best way to keep ground coffee or whole beans fresh is to store the coffee on a pantry shelf in an opaque airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture.
Other alternatives:
Freezing Coffee
The goal in freezing coffee is to keep it away from moisture. Remove the weekly portion when you need it, and store it in an air-tight container in a dry place like your pantry. Do not put it back into the freezer! Constant changes in temperature will wreak havoc on your coffee.When to Refrigerate Coffee The fridge is one of the absolute worst places to put coffee. This will ruin your coffee.
Vacuum-sealed coffee
When coffee is roasted, it releases carbon dioxide and continues to release it for days afterward. Fresh-roasted coffee can be packaged in valve-sealed bags to allow the gasses to escape and will taste best about 48 hours after roasting. Vacuum sealing is best for per-ground coffee.
Brewing Your cup of coffee
Brewing a perfect cup of coffee is the vulnerable point in the coffee brewing process. Buying the best coffee is first step, but can be wasted if the brewing is not done correctly.
Some basic tips
Filtered water: the fewer impurities in the water, the less competition for the true flavor of the coffee.
Correct proportions: regardless of machine-type, use two tablespoons of grounds per eight ounces of water, and then adjust to your taste from there.
The right grind: it differs by machine, but generally the more time coffee grounds spend in contact with water, the courser the grind.
Coffee Makers
No single brewing method is necessarily better than another; each machine simply operates differently and might lend itself to a particular need more than another.
Here are some popular brewing machines
Aeropress
The AeroPressĀ has fast become the cult brew method of coffee lovers in South Africa and abroad.
Minipresso
Whether you plan to go hiking, camping or stay in a hotel, the Minipresso Portable Espresso Maker is the ideal espresso machine to slide into your bag or backpack.
Brewista Smart Brew Hourglass Brewer
The Brewista Smart Brew Hourglass Brewer Works with virtually any style coffee filter
We Hoping this post has given you a bit more insight into the world of coffee, stay tuned for our next post “Heavenly Ways To Pair Coffee And Chocolate this Easter”.