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There are two main types of coffee - Arabica and Robusta. Robusta beans are more common but of lower quality. Arabica coffee beans are grown at high altitudes (4000 to 6000 feet above sea level) in areas where the combination of abundant rain, warm temperatures, fertile soil and adequate shade develop superior coffee flavor. These beans are picked by hand at the peak of ripeness, carefully processed using the wet or dry method (depending on their country of origin), then meticulously graded and separated by bean size and density. All of the worlds great coffees are 100% Arabica, but only the top 10% have enough flavor to be selected as "specialty" coffee.
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What do all the names mean?
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Most coffees are unblended and are named for their country of origin, for example: Colombian coffee is from Colombia and has not been blended with any other type of coffee bean. Unblended coffees are also commonly named for their grade, such as Supremo. Grading varies by country and often includes such criteria as bean size and growing altitude. Additionally, many single-origin coffees are identified by a more specific growing district, such as region or estate name.
Blended coffees sometimes carry proprietary names like those of Abbi's, Scorned Woman or Amen Blend. They can also be named to identify their ingredients such as Mocha Java. Other blended coffee names may denote the degree of the roast (Dark or French) rather than the coffee constituents.
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Why are some beans dark and oily and others are not?
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The quality and origin of the green, unroasted coffee bean combined with the time and temperature of the roast determine the final flavor and color of the coffee. Like cooking, brewing beer, and making wine, roasting coffee is an interpretation of agricultural ingredients and many different styles exist.
All coffees contain natural oils, which are key to their aroma and flavor. In darker roasts these oils are brought to the beans' surface, while lighter roasts retain the oils within the bean. Decaffeinated coffees tend to be darker than regular beans, because of color changes caused by the decaffeination process.
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What coffee should I try?
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In order to aquaint yourself wih the rich variety of coffee available you might want to start by taste-testing coffees from each of the major growing regions; Central and South American, African, Arabican, and Indonesian. Next you can experiment with roast levels from light to dark and everything in between. Finally, there are lots of blended coffees and flavored coffees that you can try out. The best advice we can give you is to buy your coffee from an informed specialty retailer, such as Abbi's. Our knowledge of coffee and recommendations will help add to your coffee enjoyment.
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What's the best way to brew coffee?
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There is really not one altogether best way to brew coffee. There are, however, a few guidelines which hold true for most any brewing method other than espresso.
- Use freshly roasted beans ground just before brewing.
- Use the correct grind for your brewer. Too fine a grind causes a bitter brew while too coarse of a grind causes watery coffee.
- Start with one standard coffee measure (2 tablespoons of ground for each 6 oz of water). Adjust this amount to suit your taste.
- Use fresh water free of taints and odors. Filtered or bottled water may be needed in some areas.
- Bring the water to just below boiling (200 degrees farenheit). For drip brewers, the brew cycle should be completed in 4-6 minutes. Other good methods are the French Press and vacuum pot, which brew in about 4 minutes. Avoid percolators and electric brewers with brew cycles in excess of 6 minutes, as these over-extract the coffee and cause bitterness.
- As soon as the coffee is finished brewing, transfer it into an air pot to keep it hot.
- Avoid leaving it on a burner, which can cause a burnt taste.
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How should coffee be stored?
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All coffee is highly perishable. It should be stored in a moisture-proof , airtight container in the cupboard - not in the refrigerator or freezer. When you put coffee (ground or beans) in the refrigerator or freezer, it absorbs moisture. That moisture robs the coffee of its freshness. Whole beans keep much longer than ground coffee, so purchase of a good home grinder is recommended.
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