5 TIPS ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT COFFEE BEANS

Congratulations, coffee lover, you are in upgrade mode! We gather you’ve tried your share of coffee available, and now you are ready to embark on this exhilarating, albeit sometimes daunting, quest to find the perfect cup of coffee just for you.

The humble coffee bean can become an aromatic and flavorful elixir, satisfying even the pickiest person. Depending on the bean’s origin and how the beans are processed, coffee lovers get to try and enjoy an abundant range of flavor options.

This is why coffee is universal; there is something for everybody. That being said, the numerous coffee bean options can be confusing once you start paying attention. Thousands of specialty coffees, multiple coffee origins, and dozens of different grinding and brewing processes of coffee can make even coffee connoisseurs dizzy.

So, to rid you of confusion and better equip you with the details needed as you fearlessly go through this journey, we have prepared 5 comprehensive tips to help you learn how to choose the right coffee beans for you. Let’s get started!

Growing coffee beans is a tedious process, it can take up to 4–5 years and often requires specific environmental conditions for the coffee plant to thrive. For this reason, most coffee plants are found in the “bean belt”; the area that falls between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Brazil, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are some countries that fall in this region.

Most of the world’s coffee comes from these countries, with Brazil being the largest, with 2.68 million metric tons of coffee produced annually.

What determines coffee production depends on the levels of sunlight and rainfall, elevation, and temperatures all year round. These environmental factors also have a significant impact on the taste of the beans.

For instance, Costa Rica’s diverse geography—soil with volcanic ash, a warm climate, and heavy rainfall—contributes to producing a wide variety of the highest quality Arabica coffee beans. The country even has 8 coffee bean growing districts, which allows the production of different types of coffee beans to flourish, some with balanced fruity notes and others with a slight bitterness to them.

Want to discover more of what Costa Rican coffee has to offer? Try these out!

Try our favorite Costa Rican coffee here!

Just to the south, Colombia’s climate allows it to produce 100% of the popular coffee bean variant Arabica, which is known for its aromatic, mild, and fruity flavors. But thousands of miles away, Vietnam contributes 40% of the world’s overall production of Robusta coffee beans, known for their low acidity and bitterness.

If you’re just starting your coffee journey, varieties from Colombia and Costa Rica make great entry points with their balanced, fruity flavors.

While the number of coffee-growing countries is somewhat limited, what is not limited are the coffee plant variants available for you to try out. You may be surprised to learn that there are about 120 coffee plant varieties, each offering its own distinct flavor profile.

While that might be overwhelming, keep in mind that exploring countries of origin is a great starting place. Then you can branch out to explore varietals such as Bourbon, Pacamara, Caturra, and Geisha, only to understand some of the nuances the world of coffee has to offer.

Here is what you need to know:

Arabica coffee famously originated from Ethiopia and quickly gained popularity due to its high quality, and smooth taste. The taste notes of this variant are subtle and almost fruity. It’s important to note that Arabica coffee is harder to grow and needs more specific conditions and extra development time. The flavor profile of these beans makes them a crowd favorite.

In comparison, Robusta coffee beans are much easier to grow. The taste of these beans is often earthy, and they tend to be more bitter than sweet. These beans are also highly caffeinated with low acidity and offer a heavier body.

When considering the amount of caffeine in your coffee, blends that use Robusta will have a higher amount of what gets you going. Arabica still packs plenty of punch with about 1.61g of caffeine followed, but Robusta, which is found in many mass-market brands, has about 2.26 g of caffeine for 100g of coffee.

Arabica beans make up about 60% of global coffee production and are considered higher quality, while robusta beans have a higher caffeine content and more bitter taste.

While bean type and origin have a huge impact on flavor, how beans are processed also holds great importance. Naturally processed coffee, where the cherries are laid out to dry on raised beds, allows the beans to hold on to sugars and flavors concentrated in the coffee.  This creates a heavier body and intense and distinctive flavors.

Washed coffees are de-pulped the same day they’re picked, fermented for 18–36 hours, then washed and dried. This creates a consistent cup with a clear acidity while enhancing the beans’ floral aromatics.

The honey process (sometimes also called “pulped natural”) walks the line between natural and washed coffee. Honey processing also strips the skin and some of the pulp from the cherries, but unlike washed coffee, honey-processed coffee maintains a thin layer of mucilage, which is allowed to dry on the beans. That amber-colored, sticky layer resembles honey, which gives the process its name. Honey-processed coffees tend to be sweeter, fruity, and low in acidity.

For those who enjoy heavy body sweetness in their cup, consider naturally processed beans; if you prefer strong aromatics and high acidity, washed coffee may be your best bet. When in doubt, opt for a medium roast for a balanced flavor that works well with add-ins like milk and sugar.

The roasting process will greatly affect a coffee’s flavor profile. There are primarily 3 roast types—light, medium, and dark roast—each with its own nuances.

Light-roasted coffee has more acidity and still carries the bean’s original taste.  It is very popular for specialty coffee. Darker roast coffee develops an oil on the bean’s surface and is known to be heavy-bodied and low in acidity. This is often the preference for those who enjoy their coffee black.

People who like having their coffee without creamers often gravitate towards light roasts to enjoy the simplicity and fruitiness of the beans, but if you enjoy milk-based coffee drinks, then dark roast is your best companion. Medium roasts include the flavors of both light and dark roasts and are the sweet middle between the two.

Many people enjoy the excitement of adding natural flavors of vanilla, hazelnut, or even blackberry to their coffee. You can find flavored-coffee options that make use of natural flavors and pair them with high-quality coffee beans. Keep in mind, though, that these added flavors can overshadow the natural taste of the coffee beans.

Choosing the right coffee beans that best suit your preference is a journey that requires a combination of both knowledge and experimentation. The first step for you is to understand how factors like the coffee bean origin, coffee plant type, and the coffee roasting process can influence the beans’ flavor and aroma; then you can determine the best fit for you.

Ultimately, the right coffee beans for you are the ones that bring you joy. Whether you enjoy your coffee as a comforting morning ritual or a relaxing afternoon indulgence, the tips above will guide you to your chosen coffee.

Special cheers to you on selecting your favorite coffee beverage with more knowledge. The perfect aroma, coupled with the best flavor, awaits you. #coffeemugsunite