Archive for March, 2010
Although an examination on coffee beans could be an infinite-part series, today is going to be our last installment. Now that you have a solid knowledge of the coffee bean, I am confident that you will want to grind your own java for your coffee makers from now on. The most ambitious individuals, however, may endeavor to roast their own coffee as well.
Most people don’t realize this, but coffee beans are actually green; the roasting process, which creates chemical and physical changes, darkens the bean and gives it the flavor that we all know and love. The green beans are more stable, so the roasting process is typically done as close to consumption as possible. You can ensure that you get the absolute freshest coffee by eliminating the roasting middleman and roasting your own coffee.
This series is going to end up being much longer than I ever expected, but there is simply so much crucial information to cover when it comes to the complexities of the various coffee beans. Now that we have reviewed many of the subtle difference between different varietals, it is time to decide what to put in our Solis espresso machines. Even when you know which cultivar you want, there is still the question of where and how to buy.
Despite the stigma attached to grocery store coffee, there are now several viable options in most supermarkets. If you have been reading this blog, you probably are past the point of buying dehydrated crystals and cheap blends. No matter where you buy your coffee, it is always best to get whole beans and grind them yourself to ensure the most flavorful brew.
Last time we discussed how coffee is categorized based on the location of its cultivation, and today we will explore how coffees from different regions around the globe differ and which you should use in your espresso machine. South America is known for its coffee production, and two of the three largest coffee producing countries are located on the continent: Colombia and Brazil. Colobian coffee has a high acidity and heavy body, giving it a rich coffee flavor.
As the leading coffee producing dountry in the world, there are dozens of varaeties that come from Brazil, and they each have a unique flavor profile. While there are many options, most Brazilian coffee is derived from the Bourbon plant, which produces more fruit than most other varieties. In the United States, Hawaii is the only state that produces coffee, but the beans are prized for their distinct essence.