Choosing the best coffee beans

Many people love coffee. And it's not a secret for anyone that coffee beans cannot be compared in their taste with an instant “brother”. But there is a nuance: today a large assortment of a wide variety of varieties and firms is offered, and how not to be mistaken with a choice so that every morning is invigorating and positive?

Why beans

An instant drink is prepared in just a few minutes, while a cereal will require much more time and effort from you, so that you can enjoy the "drink of the gods" as a result. Does it make sense to waste such precious time on grains?

Experts will answer unequivocally: of course there is! Only such coffee will allow you to feel the entire palette of taste and aroma. Moreover, for soluble, as a rule, they use raw materials of not the highest quality, as well as fragments of grains or seeds affected by a weevil. In addition, producers often use chicory and barley to obtain a rich taste.

After that, the mixture is cooked for several hours and then evaporated. If you are at least noddingly familiar with the technology for the production of instant coffee, then you know that there are very few natural grains of this drink. It can be concluded that coffee beans are of higher quality and an option.

Types of coffee beans

An interesting fact: there are about 90 coffee plants on our planet. However, only two of them give grains for the drink: robusta and arabica.

According to some reports, Arabica occupies about 2/3 of the world coffee market. Most likely, this figure could have been 100%, if not for the susceptibility of Arabica to many diseases. This is why farmers are forced to cultivate other types of coffee.

The robusta variety is inherently more disease resistant. In addition, it ripens faster than Arabica. And yet, its share in the world market is much lower. This is also due to the taste. True connoisseurs of the drink claim that Robusta is not as exquisite as Arabica.

In total, arabica and robusta left the rest of the varieties no more than two percent of the global coffee market. This means that when purchasing grain in a store, we most often have to choose between arabica and robusta. There are also Liberics and Excels. However, according to the sellers, they are exotic.

Choosing a drink for homemade food, gourmets prefer a mixture of Arabica and Robusta. In this case, you are guaranteed to get a rich taste and unique aroma. It is the mixture that will give high foam and strength in the espresso loved by many.

Grain size and shape

The size of coffee beans ranges from 4.8 mm to 8 mm or more. Arabica has an elongated grain shape, while robusta is round.

When choosing coffee for making at home, you should pay attention to the markings on the pack, which will tell you about the size of the beans.

• AAA - this is how extra-large grains are designated.
• AA - large grains.
• A is a good grain.
• B - medium zero.

However, it would be unfair to argue that larger grains are always better than average grains. Although, in some cases, size and quality are related.

As an example, we will cite the beloved Yemeni variety of mocha. It is made from 100% Arabica and has no external beauty. But the taste and aroma are unsurpassed.

Taste, aroma and caffeine content

Arabica beans have less caffeine than robusta. That is why the latter are used not only for preparing an invigorating drink, but also for medical purposes.

On the other hand, the lower content of caffeine in arabica is offset by a richer aroma. The taste of coffee turns out to be delicate and with a characteristic sourness. And robusta "rewards" the drink with a light bitterness, which not everyone likes. Yes, and in consistency, these two types differ: arabica is more oily, and robusta is watery.

The labeling allows you to choose the best coffee. So, if we talk about a drink from Colombia, then the following inscriptions are found on the packages: Supremo, Extra, Excelso. The first - Supremo - has the richest taste and aroma.

Well, in order to cover up the shortcomings of one variety and make the advantages of another obvious, they create blends or mixtures. Experts recommend buying coffee only in specialized stores, where they will tell you exactly which variety you are purchasing, and even advise something that suits you in taste and aroma.

So what is the tastiest coffee bean? We bring to your attention the generally accepted rating:

1. The most popular Arabica varieties are Typica, Caturra, Bourbon, Colombian Supremo and some others.
2. Robusta: Nana, Kouilou and others.
3. The most popular coffee brands are Italian Lavazza, Ambassador, Paulig, Saeco and others.

Ground coffee

The best coffee is the one that is ground before brewing, you can't argue with that. And yet, someone prefers to buy already ground. Perhaps this is due to lack of time, or lack of a coffee grinder. How to choose such coffee and what to consider?

First of all, in the ground state, Robusta and Arabica retain their characteristics: the first is stronger, the second is more tender and aromatic. You can also purchase one of the varieties or an interesting blend from the mixture.

Also, ground coffee can be: flavored, unflavored, with or without caffeine. The degree of roast also affects the taste: maximum, strong, medium and low. If you like a bit stronger, then the maximum or strong degree of roast will be ideal for you.

Pay attention to the grind as well. It can be large, versatile (or medium), small and ultra-thin (or "dusty"). Separately, the espresso grind is distinguished.

Choosing coffee for a coffee machine

You can prepare a delicious invigorating drink not only in a Turk, but also in a coffee machine.Each method has its own undeniable advantages. The main task is to choose the right raw material. The coffee for the coffee machine must be medium or extra fine.

Medium grinding is used more often, since such coffee particles are easily retained by the filters and allow you to create a real culinary masterpiece loved by many. Medium grind is more commonly used in carob machines, while ultra-fine grind is ideal for espresso. Since the preparation technology involves the passage of steam through powdered coffee.

The most popular coffee brands for brewing in a coffee machine are:

• Italian manufacturer Lavazza;
• Molinari;
• Illy;
• Paulig;
• Diemme
• The domestic brand "Moscow Coffee House on Shares" is also able to withstand the competition with dignity.

Whichever option you prefer - in a coffee machine or in a Turk - it is obvious that the taste of the drink and, as a result, your mood will be influenced by the type of coffee, the degree of roasting and grinding. Most likely, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort to sort out your own preferences and determine which coffee beans are best for you personally, or its ground equivalent. But do not hesitate, this time and effort will not be wasted.

Video: How to choose the best coffee?