Starting with the basics: fresh is best.
– If you don’t have a coffee bean grinder, opt for ground coffee (ground filter). It won’t retain its freshness as long as a bean, but it’s a good place to start.
– Another important point before running to the supermarket (or Amazon) – Types of roast:
- Espresso roasting: designed for espresso coffee machines
- Filter Roasted: Designed for IE Caferiere, Aeropress, Drip feed overmethods of making coffee.
and this is where it gets cloudy or milky as you like – another guide for you
- If you prefer it black then go for a single origin coffee (from a single known geographic location, such as a farm or farm)
- If you like to drink it with milk/cream go for a Mix
First, try your black coffee and add milk if you want… still with me?
Now we are going to choose a region from which your coffee will have originated: the “Coffee Belt” of the world.
Coffee is grown in the world’s warmest latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. Within this “coffee belt” there is a wide variety of altitude, rain, sun and soil conditions that will alter the flavor of the coffee, just like viticulture.
- Central and South American coffee with a chocolate flavor, clean and sweet Known for its hint of chocolate and nut flavor. Brazil has a heavy bodied peanut character. Colombian coffee is smooth with a caramel or toffee flavor.
- East African or Arabian coffee for a complex fruity flavor. East African and Arabic coffees have a slightly fruity taste. They have nuances similar to a more fruity and sweet wine. They also have a lighter flavor than coffee from other regions. Ethiopian coffee has complex aromas of berries and wines, while Kenyan is known for its stone fruit influence.
- Asian coffee for an earthy and delicious taste. If you prefer a more earthy and bitter taste, Asian coffee is a good choice. Coffees made in Asian countries tend to have a richer, earthier flavor. They will be more bitter than sweet compared to coffee from other regions.
- Indonesian coffee for an earthy and spicy flavor. Indonesian coffee has a heavy-bodied earthy flavor, along with a hint of spice. If you want something bitter but tasty, Indonesian coffee is a great option.
The roast and therefore the flavor
Light Roast: It is likely to be a bit more bitter than other roasts. If you don’t like sweeter tasting coffees, a light roast is a good choice.
medium roast: it tends to better preserve flavors during preparation. If you want to taste the distinctive caramel flavor of a Colombian, choose a medium roast.
Dark roast: it will lessen the flavor a bit. You will still get some of the original flavor of the coffee, but you may end up with a bittersweet aftertaste or undertones. Give it a try if you prefer your coffee less sweet.
And finally… a good coffee should provide:- Details about its origin, where it was grown, roasted and ground.
- A “roasted on” date, aim to consume within a month of this date.
- Check for ethics: A large percentage now have Fair Trade & Rain Forest Alliance, but just because it doesn’t have a badge doesn’t mean it’s unethical. Small farmers can be part of a cooperative that has set standards for fair wages, etc.
Be warned: Caffeine levels vary by coffee. Coffee generally has between 65 and 100 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Stronger coffee would be on the higher end of this spectrum, while weaker coffee would be on the lower end.
- No Decaf coffee is 100% caffeine free, so if you are sensitive to caffeine, always check the contents… our decaf coffee is delicious.
