20 Things You Should Ask About Coffee Beans Before Buying It

The Best Fresh Coffee Beans A whole bean purchase from a local coffee shop or roaster is the best way to enjoy the freshest and best tasting beverage. If you are shopping at a store that has a variety of blends is also an excellent option. Koffee Kult's Thunder Bolt is a dark French roast that has an intensely satisfying flavor. It's priced higher but it's organic fair trade2 and contains no additives. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Known for its delicate fragrance and citrusy flavor, the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is among the most prized coffee beans in the world. It's also a fantastic source of antioxidants. It is best brewed without sugar and milk to preserve its unique flavor profile. It's a great pairing with savory foods to keep the salty and sweet in balance. It's also a great choice for a quick afternoon boost. Ethiopia is often considered the place of origin for coffee. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his flock became more energetic after eating the red berries growing on a plant close to his home. He tried the berries and realized that they gave him lots of energy. The herder then distributed the berry with his family and this was the beginning of coffee's popularity. light roast coffee beans grown in the Yirgacheffe region of Sidamo in Ethiopia is typically processed wet, or “washed.” This process helps remove sour flavors and provides a clean, fresh taste. In the middle of 2000, global coffee prices increased to unsustainable levels, which affected many farmers in Ethiopia. However the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) was successful in helping the farmers stay in business through their fair trade initiatives as well as the ability to bargain with the market. This led to the development of a new generation of single-origin Ethiopian coffees with fruity flavors and are referred to as “new naturals”. Today all over the world is enjoying the unique citrusy, floral and floral taste of the Yirgacheffe beans. Geisha Geisha is among the most expensive coffee beans available. It has a subtle tea-like flavor with hints of mango, peach, and raspberry. It also has a soft taste that is similar to black tea. But is it worth the price price? A British consul came across the Geisha variety in the 1930s in the highland area of Gesha in Western Ethiopia. The seeds were later introduced to CATIE in Costa Rica, and finally to Panama by the late Francisco Serracin, known as Don Pachi. The Peterson family tried it at their Hacienda Esmeralda Farm and found that it was able to produce flavors with balance and finesse. Geisha is more than just a great cup of coffee. It has a significant impact on the communities who produce it. It allows farmers to invest their profits in improving farming practices and processes. This eventually leads to better quality for all the coffee varieties that they cultivate. Many coffee enthusiasts are uninterested in trying Geisha coffee due to its expensive price. Geisha coffee is worth the cost. Do yourself a favor and get some. Ethiopian Harrar It is often regarded as one of the finest coffee beans in world, the Ethiopian Harrar is full-bodied and exotic. This is a dried processed (natural) arabica that comes from the Oromia region, also known as Harrar located in southern Ethiopia with elevations ranging from 4,500 feet and 6,300 feet. It is characterized by its acidity and an alcohol-like fruitiness as well as a strong mocha taste. The coffee is picked and dried in the spring. It is then fermented, and released its aromas and tastes. This coffee is devoid of chemicals and low in calories, as opposed to most commercial coffees. It has many health benefits, for instance reducing the risk of Alzheimer's. It is also full of antioxidants and a host of other nutrients. It is recommended to consume a cup of Ethiopian Harrar with a full stomach to reap the maximum benefits. Ethiopian Harrar is one of the most sought-after coffees around, comes from the easternmost region of Ethiopia. It is located at the highest altitudes in the region, close to the city's walled fortifications of Harrar. This coffee is a unique blend that can be enjoyed as espresso or Latte. The coffee is then hand-sorted and harvested, then sun-dried using traditional cloth bags. This method preserves aromas as well as enhances flavor. This is a more sustainable way of making coffee. It can be made with any brewing method but is especially suited to a French press or pour over. Monsooned Malabar One of the most distinctive and well-known coffees around the globe Monsooned Malabar is a chocolatey, woody and nutty coffee with almost no acidity. Its name is derived from a process called “monsooning,” as well as where it comes from the region that is the most arid in India in the mountainous region of Malabar which encompasses Karnataka and Kerala and has been granted protected geographical indication status. The story behind this coffee is believed to be apocryphal. In the British Raj period, large wooden ships were used to transport the raw coffee to Europe. While on the journey the humidity and winds caused the beans to naturally dry which resulted in a pale off-white color. When they arrived in Europe the beans were discovered to have a distinct, highly desired flavor taste. Monsooning is a distinctive and unique method of processing coffee that is still practiced today in Keezhanthoor. This hamlet of high-end situated in the Western Ghats is surrounded by small traditional tribal farmers who are dedicated to producing the highest quality beans. They create a full-bodied well-balanced and aromatic coffee with notes of baker's chocolate sweet syrup, mild vanilla. This coffee is perfect for espresso or cafe crème. It is delicious on its own or paired with more fruity coffees. Pour-overs like those found in Bialetti Moka Pot, for instance Bialetti Moka Pot, are also very popular. Due to its lower acidity Monsooned Malabar is able to withstand heat as well.