Selecting coffee beans, six tips for you:
-
- Consider the origin and blend of the beans to find your preferred taste.
- Pay attention to the roast level of the beans that can greatly affect the flavour and acidity of the coffee.
- Freshness of the beans is key to ensure the best flavour and aroma.
- Grind the beans fresh to ensure that the coffee is at its best.
- Look for beans that are certified organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance, as this indicates that the beans have been sustainably grown, harvested, and processed.
- The best way to choose the right coffee bean is to experiment with different blends and roast levels, and to find the one that you enjoy the most with trial and error.
Pro Tip: Blending bean types, roast strengths, and ratios of ingredients can produce subtle but notable differences. Record your blend ratios each time you experiment so that you can always make the perfect cup using the blending recipe you found desirable.
Selecting the right coffee beans can be a daunting task, with so many options available on the market. From blends to roasts, origins to certifications, there are many factors to consider when selecting the perfect beans for your morning brew. In this short guide, we will break down the key things to look for when choosing coffee beans, so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect beans for your taste.
What Are The 4 Classifications Of Coffee Beans?
The four main classifications of coffee beans are:
- Arabica: Known for its sweeter and more delicate flavour profile, with notes of fruit and sugar.
- Robusta: Known for its stronger and more bitter flavour, with a higher caffeine content compared to Arabica.
- Liberica: It’s a less common variety of coffee bean, known for its large beans and strong, woody flavour.
- Excelsa: It’s another less common variety of coffee bean, known for its fruity and floral flavour. It can be used as a blend with Arabica or Robusta beans.
How Can You Tell Good Quality Coffee Beans
There are several ways to tell if coffee beans are of good quality:
- Appearance: Good quality coffee beans should be uniform in size, shape, and colour. They should be free of defects, such as cracks or mould.
- Aroma: High-quality coffee beans should have a strong, fresh aroma. They should not have any musty or mouldy smells.
- Taste: Good quality coffee beans should have a well-balanced flavour profile with a good acidity and sweetness. The coffee should not be overly bitter or sour.
- Freshness: The beans should be fresh and roasted recently, as coffee beans start to lose their flavour and aroma as soon as they are roasted.
- Origin: Coffee beans grown in certain regions or countries are considered to be of higher quality due to factors such as climate, soil, and farming practices.
- Certification: Look for beans that are certified organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance, as this indicates that the beans have been sustainably grown, harvested, and processed.
Ultimately, the best way to tell if coffee beans are of good quality is to taste them for yourself.
Selecting Coffee Beans For Making Espresso
When choosing coffee beans for espresso, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Bean origin and blend: A good espresso blend should have a balance of acidity and sweetness, with a rich and full-bodied flavour. Some popular origins for espresso blends include Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil.
- Roast level: Espresso is usually made with medium to dark roast coffee beans, as they have a stronger flavour and less acidity. A dark roast will have a more intense flavour, while a medium roast will have a balance of acidity and sweetness.
- Bean freshness: As with any coffee, the beans should be freshly roasted. Look for beans that have been roasted within the last two weeks.
- Bean Grind: Espresso beans should be finely ground, so that the coffee can be packed tightly into the portafilter and the pressure from the machine can extract the maximum amount of flavour.
- Bean Quality: Look for beans that are certified organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance, as this indicates that the beans have been sustainably grown, harvested, and processed.
Ultimately, the best way to choose coffee beans for espresso is to experiment with different blends and roast levels, and to find the bean style and blend combination and ratio that you enjoy the most.
Six Tips For Choosing The Right Coffee Bean For You
- Consider the origin and blend of the beans: Different regions and countries produce coffee beans with unique flavour profiles. Experiment with beans from different origins and blends to find your preferred taste.
- Pay attention to the roast level: The roast level of the beans can greatly affect the flavour and acidity of the coffee. Light roast beans have a higher acidity and a more delicate flavour, while dark roast beans have a stronger, more robust flavour.
- Freshness is key: Always choose freshly roasted beans to ensure the best flavour and aroma. Look for beans that have been roasted within the last two weeks.
- Grind the beans fresh: Grinding the beans fresh before brewing will ensure that the coffee is at its best.
- Choose certified beans: Look for beans that are certified organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance, as this indicates that the beans have been sustainably grown, harvested, and processed. The theory behind certification is that the farmer gets a fair wage for their labour and effort and the middle man does not gouge the market either side of them for the highest profit on the day.
- Experiment and taste test: The best way to choose the right coffee bean is to experiment with different blends and roast levels, and to find the one that you enjoy the most with trial and error. Creating your own unique blends of coffee is an exciting way to immerse yourself in the world of caffeine.
Take A Nationally Accredited Barista Course
Another way to ensure that you always make the perfect cup of coffee is to take a nationally accredited barista course with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).You might not have the time to spend scouring the internet for a course nearest to you and they may not be certified to deliver the course you pay to take. RTOs close to you are quick and easy to find and they have been certified by the applicable licencing and government bodies to teach their courses in line with the current legislations and best practices.
Skills Training College has several barista courses available across the country. From a basic barista course to an advanced barista course with a Latte Art course to top off your coffee creations with a flourish, there is something for everyone seeking to learn more about coffee and gain nationally recognised certification as a barista in Australia and around the world.Download the FREE Ultimate Guide To Become A Pro Barista