Making coffee at home can be a huge wallet saver, but how do you choose the right beans to use? We’re here to help you figure that out!
Knowing Your Preferred Flavor Profile
Did you know that coffee beans have their own flavor profile that is determined due to several factors? The genetics of the particular coffee plant influence its flavor, as does the soil in which it grows and the kind of water it receives. After harvesting, such factors as fermentation practices and other variables of processing add to the coffee's flavor profile as well. Do you prefer - floral, fruity, nutty, chocolate, or herby? How about acidic, bitter, sweet, salty or sour? While in the past people were use to drinking more bland, dull and over roasted coffee beans, we are seeing a turn in coffee lover's palettes. People are becoming more interested in specialty coffee where you can taste more of the flavor notes when the beans are roasted and brewed properly.
Knowing Your Preferred Geographic Origin
The geographic origin plays a key role in determining the flavor of a coffee bean. Environmental conditions such as temperature, altitude, shade cover, rainfall, and agronomy are all factors that can change the flavor profile of a bean. Let's discuss what regions produce what flavors, but keep in mind these are not hard and fast rules - just generalizations.
Fruity/Florally Beans:
Costa Rica | Typically clean and mild with sharp acidity and round body. Common notes include chocolate, brown sugar, and apricot.
Ethiopia | Rich, distinct fruity flavor and floral aroma. Common notes include bergamot, jasmine, and blueberry.
Kenya | Complex, bold and high acidity with a fruity aroma. Common notes include grapefruit and lemongrass.
Papua New Guinea | Clean, crisp flavor accented by a spicy body. Sweet and often tropical notes of fruit.
Peru | Expect a bold floral aroma with a crisp almond finish. Mellow fruit and herbal flavors are followed by hints of tree nuts and plum.
Tanzania | Bright and fruity with wine-like acidity. Common notes include berries and currant with an often woody or chocolate finish.
Nutty/Chocolatey Beans:
Brazil | Terrific body, mellow acidity, and a creamy texture. Notes are a combination of sweet, nutty flavor with swirls of bittersweet chocolate aftertaste.
Colombia | Bright acidity and medium body with rich aroma and creamy consistency. Common notes are citrus, nuts, and caramel.
Guatemala | Rich texture and a full body. Notes include deep chocolate, deep floral aromas, and caramel finish.
Mexico | Light body, smooth, crisp and delicate flavors. Chocolate flavors and an often nutty finish.
Sumatra | Bold, vibrant flavors, a full-body, and muted acidity. Common notes include dark chocolate and roasted caramel.
While we generalized these countries and their coffee profiles always keep in mind that every cup of coffee takes on a unique flavor, body, aroma, and acidity. At the end of the day, all coffee can be delicious if roasted and brewed correctly!
Knowing Your Preferred Roast Level
There are 3 main roast levels: light, medium and dark.
Light roast coffee is characterized by a light color, a lighter body, and a mild flavor with a higher acidity. This roast level is typically where you'll find your more fruity/florally flavor notes. Light roasted coffee has been shown to have a higher level of antioxidants than dark roasted coffee. Light roasted coffee is best brewed using a pour over method or an aeropress, as these methods will help to bring out the bright, tangy flavors of the coffee.
Medium roast coffee is a balance of flavor, acidity, and body, with a medium-brown color. This a great choice for those who are looking for a coffee that is not too strong or too weak. The medium roast process results in a coffee that is not too acidic, but also not too bitter. This makes medium roasted coffee a great option for those who are looking for a coffee that is easy to drink and enjoy, without being overpowering.
Dark roast coffee is characterized by a dark brown color, a full body, and a strong flavor with a lower acidity. This type of coffee is often favored by those who are looking for a coffee with a strong, robust taste, and a full-bodied, smooth finish.The dark roast process results in a coffee that is low in acidity, but high in bitterness. This makes dark roasted coffee a great option for those who are looking for a coffee that is bold and intense, without being too bright or tangy.
Fun fact: The level of caffeine in a coffee actually diminishes as it gets darker. Darker coffee does not mean more caffeine!
Knowing the Roast Date
When people think about the quality of coffee, its date is often overlooked. What many don’t realize is that many things occur between the time a coffee is roasted and packed until you open it in your home to brew. This is because as soon as the beans have finished roasting, they release carbon dioxide which is replaced with oxygen. This makes the coffee turn stale as time passes.
While this time frame varies dependent on who you ask, coffee beans are typically at their peak 4-14 days from roast date. While they are shelf stable for quite a long time, they will start to become stale after about 3 weeks, even sooner if not properly stored.
We roast to order so you can enjoy the coffee at its peak freshness!
Flavor Wheel for Any Fellow Coffee Nerds:
