Did you know more than 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily globally? Not to mention, caffeine addicts are incredibly picky about their coffee blend. If you think that buying coffee is as simple as picking a bottle from a shelf at the mart, you’re mostly wrong. Seasoned coffee enthusiasts will tell you a detailed list of several factors they consider when buying the perfect beans for the perfect brew. So, if your love for caffeine is in its early stages of development and you need some tips to fine-tune your bean-buying skills, keep reading ahead! Listed below are a few tips that’ll help you make an intelligent choice.
Know your preference
Knowing which type of coffee you prefer to drink will help you make the right choice when buying beans. For instance, do you like your coffee black or with milk? If you like your coffee dark and intense, you should choose a good solo blend for the best brew. On the other hand, there are caramel and cocoa blends that complement the taste of milk. Your choice of coffee beans should also accommodate your preferences. For example, if you fancy an espresso shot as a wake-up call every morning, choosing the right type of beans is essential. Therefore, you should factor in all aspects of what makes the perfect cuppa before selecting a variety.
Coffee roast type
The roasting process extracts the compounds of the coffee that usually contribute to its general characteristics. In other words, the roast determines the flavor. There are generally three main types of roasts. These include light, medium, and dark. You may prefer a specific kind of roast, but if you are consistently getting a burnt, smoky flavor, this means that the seller has roasted the coffee beans for too long at high temperatures. It will also be the lowest and cheapest quality of the coffee beans.
It would be best if you were specific about the level of roast you prefer before buying coffee. You can easily recognize how much the beans have been roasted by simply looking at the texture and smell of the coffee. Or by reading the details on the packet. Shinny burnt coffee means highly roasted, while non-shiny and light brown coffee is lightly roasted and smells incredible. Also, check the roast date before buying coffee. If you’re ordering online, the seller should only roast your beans after you place your order, or they’ll be stale by the time they get to you.
For better guidance you can check the comparison of folgers vs maxwell house coffee by Taypresso.
Concentration of caffeine
It’s popularly believed that the amount of caffeine contributes to the level of bitterness in the coffee, but that’s not entirely true. The concentration of caffeine in your coffee also depends on the roasting process. Every brew has a varying amount of caffeine, and it may come as a surprise that a light-roast blend has more caffeine than a dark-roast one. Therefore, figure this out when selecting the perfect roast. Since the packaging generally indicates the type of roast, you can quickly determine the caffeine concentration you’ll get when you brew a fresh cup.
The aroma
Coffee beans can have various scents depending on the origin and type of roast. When buying online, you obviously won’t be able to tell the difference. But you can always ask for samples first. Eventually, good quality, well-roasted beans will make the best-smelling cuppa.
The aroma can vary from subtle floral scents to a hint of spice. However, there is one scent you need to steer clear of- a whiff of onion. If that is the case, it means the beans have been roasted prematurely. Avoid buying at all costs.
The type of coffee beans
There are four primary types of coffee beans you’ll find in the market. However, and the Robusta and Arabica beans are the more popular ones. Robusta coffee beans grow in low-altitude areas and have a nuttier flavor when roasted. They are known for their intense bitter taste. On the other hand, the Arabica coffee beans offer various flavors, from tangy to sweet. These beans generally grow in high-altitude areas and have a slightly acidic yet smooth taste. So, when making a choice, keep your taste buds in mind.
Blend or single origin
Let’s put it this way- the less variable your coffee beans, the more control you have over the taste. A single-origin specialty coffee offers homogeneous quality and consistent flavor, unlike mixed blends. In addition, single-origin coffee consists of beans that come from a single location; they provide an unadulterated and pure drinking experience. However, that does not mean that mixed coffee is a no-go. If you enjoy a cuppa with exotic flavors from different places around the world, there are plenty of quality blends to choose from.
Whole beans vs. ground coffee
Do you know what the number one advice any seasoned coffee-lover gives is? It’s to buy whole beans instead of ground coffee. The biggest problem with buying ground coffee is that most of them end up going stale too soon. This is because – as we mentioned earlier – the beans must be roasted in advance. The taste of the beans significantly declines once they’re ground and exposed to oxygen. Therefore, if you want superior freshness and taste every time you brew a cup, buy whole beans, a coffee bean grinder, and grind them yourself. However, if you prefer ground beans because it’s convenient, which it is, then ensure that you buy small bags instead of stocking large amounts.
Conclusion
There is no reason to drink a cup of coffee if you don’t enjoy it wholeheartedly. That is why it is essential to know a few things before purchasing your beans. To enjoy a perfect cuppa every time you brew one, check the roast type, aroma, and type of beans and blend. Also, ensure that you buy beans that have not been pre-roasted. Look into ground varieties depending on how much caffeine you prefer.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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