| When you become a real fan of coffee and enjoy | | | | - Under-ripened yellow and green beans produce |
| sampling many different roasts and blends, you may | | | | inferior quality coffee with an unpleasant, sharp taste. |
| begin to wonder why one will often taste so very | | | | - Over-ripe, black coffee cherries also are inferior. |
| different from another. | | | | Processing |
| As you begin to explore the world of coffee you will | | | | This is done to remove the skin and pulp of the |
| find some beans or blends that are perfect for that | | | | coffee cherry from the bean and it affects the |
| morning cup. Then there will be others, that might | | | | flavor. |
| taste sharp or bitter, and certainly not pleasing. Why | | | | - Wet Washed - This is called fermentation. It |
| does coffee often taste so differently? | | | | produces the most consistent flavor, sweetness and |
| Some differences are due to the unique | | | | acidity. The beans are washed; skin and pulp are |
| characteristics of the beans. The way the coffee | | | | removed mechanically, then the beans are dried. |
| was grown and how it was processed, also, has a | | | | - Dry method - This is the ancient method of |
| great effect upon its flavor. First, only four species | | | | spreading the cherries out in the sun to dry. This can |
| of coffee beans are used to make the beverage we | | | | produce delicious coffee but rate of drying is not |
| call 'coffee'. You will most likely encounter two: | | | | easy to control. |
| Two Species Of Coffee Plants | | | | Storage |
| Arabica beans are finer and make the most complex, | | | | Both storage and methods of shipping can affect the |
| flavorful coffee. Two thirds of the world's coffee | | | | flavor if odors or moisture are absorbed by the |
| production is of Arabica beans. Arabica is a much | | | | beans. |
| better quality coffee and is grown at a higher | | | | Roasting |
| altitude. | | | | - Light Roast or cinnamon roast - produced after |
| Robusto beans contain more caffeine and have a | | | | about 7 minutes at 400°F. |
| bitter, woody, burnt rubber taste. The plants are | | | | - Medium Roast or city roast - produced after about |
| hardy and disease resistant, and produce a large crop. | | | | 10 minutes at 400° F. |
| Robusto is used in cheaper supermarket blends. It is | | | | - French roast - dark roast - produced after 12 to 13 |
| often in Italian roasts and espresso blends and is | | | | minutes at 400° F. |
| valued for the frothy layer it produces on top of the | | | | - Italian roast or Espresso - produced after 13 to 14 |
| cup, called crema. | | | | minutes at 400° F. |
| Growing Factors That Affect Flavor | | | | Grinding |
| - Elevation | | | | Coffee deteriorates due to oxygen, moisture and |
| - Type of soil - Limestone, volcanic ash with pumice, | | | | light. After roasting and grinding, the coffee releases |
| or clay | | | | carbon dioxide gas as it ages on the shelf. |
| - Climate | | | | Packaging |
| - Temperature | | | | Valve bags, plastic or paper bags, fractional packs, |
| - Humidity | | | | cans vary as to how well they seal in coffee flavor |
| - Rainfall | | | | and seal out moisture, light, and oxygen. |
| Care of the crop | | | | Type Of Coffee |
| Was it raised organically? | | | | Different types of coffee beans produce different |
| Did the plants grow in the shade? | | | | flavors when brewed. For instance, Costa Rican |
| Were chemical fertilizers used? | | | | beans are highly regarded for their fine flavor, with a |
| Were pesticides used? | | | | degree of acidity and brightness. Sumatra and Java |
| Harvesting - Picking Methods Affect the Quality | | | | beans produce a darker, mellow, full-bodied brew |
| There can be several pickings from the same trees | | | | while East African beans have berry tones with a |
| at 1 to 2 week intervals. | | | | clean, crisp taste. As you try various coffees, blends, |
| - Were the beans handpicked? | | | | and roasts, you will learn to identify the different |
| - Were the beans in fully ripened, red cherries when | | | | tastes and flavors. You're bound to find favorites to |
| picked? | | | | brew into delicious cups of coffee. |
| - Mechanical picking strips the coffee plant. | | | | |