10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Know Before You Buy Coffee Beans
The Best Fresh Coffee Beans
If you're looking to drink the best coffee, buy whole beans at a local roaster or coffee shop. A shop that sells an array of blends would be a good option.
Koffee Kult's Thunder Bolt is a dark French roast with an intensely satisfying taste. It's slightly more expensive however it's organic1, fair-trade2 and has no added ingredients.
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, known for its citrusy flavor and mellow aroma, is among the world's most sought-after coffee beans. It's also an excellent source of antioxidants. It's best to avoid milk and sugar to maintain its unique flavor profile. It's a great pairing with savory food items to balance the sweet and salty. It's also a great option to have a refreshing afternoon snack.
Ethiopia is often considered the origin of coffee. According to the story, the goatherder Kaldi noticed that his flock seemed more active after eating berries of red that were growing near his home. He then tried the berries himself and realized that they have a powerful effect on the energy levels of his body. The herder then shared the berry with his family members and this is the first time coffee became popular.
Coffee grown in the Yirgacheffe region of Sidamo in Ethiopia is often wet-processed, also known as "washed." This process helps remove sour flavors and produces a bright, clean taste. In the mid-2000s global coffee prices spiked to unsustainable levels for many farmers around the world, including in Ethiopia. However the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) was capable of helping the farmers remain in business with their fair trade initiatives as well as the ability to bargain with the market. This led to the development of a new breed of single-origin Ethiopian coffees with fruit flavors, known as "new naturals". Today everyone is enjoying the unique floral and citrusy taste of the Yirgacheffe beans.
Geisha
Geisha is among the most expensive coffee beans in the world. It has a delicate tea flavor that has hints of mango, peach, and raspberry. It also has a silky mouthfeel similar to black tea. But does the price really justify the price?
The Geisha variety was first discovered in the highland region of Gesha (it was misspelled throughout the process) in Western Ethiopia in the 1930s by a British consul. The seeds were later transported to CATIE, Costa Rica, before being shipped to Panama by Francisco Serracin (also known as Don Pachi). When the Peterson family began experimenting with it at their Hacienda Esmeralda farm, they found that it produced extraordinary flavors that were balanced and refined.
Geisha is more than just an excellent coffee; it has a profound impact on the communities that produce it. It allows farmers to reinvest profits in improving farming practices and quality processes. This results in better quality for all the coffee varieties they grow.
Many coffee lovers are hesitant to try the coffee due to its high cost. It's a shame, because Geisha coffee is definitely worth the price. Do yourself a favor, and get some.
Ethiopian Harrar
Often considered one of the finest coffee beans in world The Ethiopian Harrar is full-bodied and exotic. It is a dry processed (natural) arabica that comes from the Oromia region, which was previously Harrar located in southern Ethiopia at elevations of between 4,500 to 6,300 feet. It has a distinctive fruity, wine-like acidity and mocha flavor.
gourmet coffee beans is picked in the spring and then dried and then fermented to release its flavors and aromas. Contrary to commercial coffees, this coffee is free of chemicals and is low in calories. It also has a range of health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. It is a great source of antioxidants, and contains many other nutrients. It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach to reap the maximum benefits.
Ethiopian Harrar Ethiopian Harrar, one of the world's most prized coffees originates from the easternmost region of Ethiopia. It is grown near the old town walled by Harrar and is located at the highest altitudes. This coffee has a distinct flavor and is a treat in the form of espresso or as Latte.
The coffee is then sorted and harvested by hand. It is then sun-dried in traditional cloth bags. This method preserves the aroma of the beans and makes them more flavorful. This is a sustainable method. It can be brewed using any brewing method however it is most 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 sweet woody and nutty coffee with a surprisingly low acidity. Its name is derived from the "monsooning" process as well as the region where it originates: the wettest part of India the mountainous area of Malabar that includes Karnataka & Kerala.
The origins of this coffee is believed to be apocryphal. In the British Raj period, large wooden ships were utilized to transport coffee to Europe. In the course of the voyage, humidity and wind caused the beans to naturally dry and develop a light off white color. When they arrived in Europe, they were found to have a distinctive and desirable flavor characteristic.
Monsooning is a distinctive and specialized method of processing coffee that is still practiced today in Keezhanthoor. This hamlet that is high-end located in the Western Ghats is surrounded by small traditional tribal farmers who are dedicated to producing the best quality beans. They create a full-bodied very aromatic and smooth coffee with notes of baker's chocolate syrupy sweetness, and mild vanilla.
It's great on its own or mixed with more fruity varieties. It is also able to stand up to milk well, making it an ideal espresso or cafe cream coffee. Pour-overs, such as those in a Bialetti Moka Pot, are also popular. Monsooned Malabar is also resistant to heat because of its lower acidity.