Coffee - From Bean to Brew - A Beginner's Guide to Coffee Essentials!
You may be wondering why you want to read about coffee when you are browsing our blog looking for your next amazing cocktail recipe to impress your guests? You may be right, but over 65% of Americans over 18 years of age drink coffee every day. I'm one of them. This represents over 168 million daily drinkers. Among all coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the United States is 3 cups of coffee per day. Most people drink more coffee than any other beverage regularly. And even some of the most passionate coffee lovers don’t know much about what coffee is, how it looks like, or where coffee beans actually come from.
As a coffee enthusiast, there are a few basic knowledge areas that you may want to explore in order to deepen your understanding and appreciation of coffee. Take your time and read the article below. You will be noticing that time and effort goes into each cup of coffee we enjoy daily. Here are some key areas to consider:
Coffee varieties: There are many different types of coffee, each with its own unique flavor profile. Some popular varieties include Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica.
Coffee brewing methods: There are numerous ways to brew coffee, including drip coffee makers, French presses, pour-over methods, espresso machines, and more. Each method can produce a different flavor profile, so it's important to understand the differences between them.
Roasting: Roasting is a critical step in the coffee production process, as it can greatly affect the flavor of the coffee. Understanding the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts, as well as the various roasting techniques, can help you appreciate the nuances of different coffees.
Tasting: Learning how to taste coffee can help you identify different flavor notes and appreciate the complexity of different blends. Some common tasting terms include acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and body.
Origins: Coffee is grown in many different regions around the world, and each region has its own unique growing conditions and flavor profiles. Understanding the differences between coffee from different regions can help you appreciate the nuances of different blends.
Grind size: The size of the coffee grounds can greatly affect the flavor of the coffee. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes, so understanding how to grind coffee beans for different methods is important.
By exploring these key areas of coffee knowledge, you can deepen your understanding and appreciation of this beloved beverage.
All the world’s coffee is grown in an area around the middle of the globe, where we find mild temperatures, with a lot of rain and shaded sun. This area is called the Bean Belt. Summarized by regions, the main coffee-producing countries are:
Islands of the Caribbean– Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Hawaii
Central American – Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador
South American – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru
Indonesia – Java, Sumatra and Papua Guinea
Southeast Asia – Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar
Africa & Arabia – Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
The coffee tree is a tropical evergreen shrub. Experts estimate that there are up to 100 different species of coffee plants around the world, Arabica and Robusta are the ones we drink regularly. The average Arabica plant is a large shrub with dark-green oval leaves. The fruits, also called cherries, are rounded and mature in 6 to 9 months and usually contain two flat seeds, the coffee beans.
Robusta is a robust shrub or small tree that grows up to 10 metres high. The cherries are rounded and take up to 12 months to mature; the seeds are oval in shape and much smaller than Arabica beans.
Ideal average temperatures range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for Arabica coffee and 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit for Robusta. Coffee needs 60 - 90 inches of annual rainfall. Below 30 inches is very stressful and likely to cause low yields of small beans.
Coffee harvesting is the process of picking ripe coffee cherries from coffee plants. The coffee beans are then extracted from the cherries, processed, and roasted to create the coffee that we enjoy. Here are the key steps involved in coffee harvesting:
Timing: Coffee cherries are usually ready for harvest between three to five years after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Harvesting typically occurs once a year, although some regions may have two or three harvests per year.
Picking: There are two main methods for picking coffee cherries: selective picking and strip picking. Selective picking involves picking only the ripe cherries by hand, while leaving the unripe cherries on the plant to mature further. Strip picking involves stripping all the cherries from the plant at once, regardless of their ripeness.
Sorting: After the cherries are picked, they are sorted to remove any damaged or unripe cherries. This can be done either by hand or by using machines that use gravity to separate the cherries.
Processing: The next step in coffee harvesting is to extract the coffee beans from the cherries. This can be done in one of two ways: the dry method or the wet method. The dry method involves drying the cherries in the sun, then removing the beans from the dried fruit. The wet method involves removing the fruit from the beans using a machine, then washing and fermenting the beans to remove any remaining fruit.
As you can see on our pictures below, coffee harvesting is a labor-intensive process that requires careful attention to detail to ensure that only the ripest cherries are picked and processed.
The resulting coffee beans are then roasted to create the rich, complex flavors that coffee enthusiasts enjoy.
Coffee cherries are usually red when they are ripe, and the coffee beans inside the cherries change color from green to a light brown or beige color as they ripen. Green coffee beans are the raw, unroasted coffee beans that are harvested from the coffee plant before they are roasted.
After the coffee cherries are harvested, the beans are extracted from the cherries and then processed to remove any remaining fruit or debris. Once the beans have been processed, they are dried to a specific moisture level before being bagged and shipped to roasters around the world.
The reason why green beans are used for coffee roasting instead of ripe, red beans is because green beans have a longer shelf life and are more stable during shipping and storage. Ripe beans have a higher moisture content and are more prone to spoilage, so they are usually processed and consumed locally, rather than being shipped to other regions for roasting.
Coffee roasting is the process of heating raw coffee beans to create the roasted coffee beans that we use to make coffee. Roasting plays a critical role in determining the flavor profile and aroma of the coffee, and there are several factors that influence the roasting process, including time, temperature, and airflow. Here are the key steps involved in coffee roasting:
Preheating: The roasting machine is preheated to the desired temperature. This temperature can vary depending on the desired roast level and the type of coffee being roasted.
Roasting: The green coffee beans are then added to the roasting machine, where they are heated to the desired temperature and roasted for a specific amount of time. During roasting, the beans undergo chemical changes that cause them to release carbon dioxide and oils, and to change color and develop their characteristic flavors and aromas.
Cooling: After the desired roast level has been reached, the coffee beans are removed from the roasting machine and immediately cooled to prevent further roasting. This is typically done using air or water cooling.
Packaging: Once the coffee beans have been roasted and cooled, they are ready for packaging. Roasted coffee beans are usually packaged in airtight bags or containers to preserve their freshness and flavor.
The degree of roast can affect the coffee's flavor profile. Light roasts are usually milder and have a higher acidity, while darker roasts are bolder and have a more pronounced bitterness. The type of coffee beans used also affects the flavor, as different varieties have unique characteristics. Coffee roasting is an art that requires skill and experience to produce the perfect cup of coffee.
Grind size is a critical factor in the coffee brewing process that can have a significant impact on the flavor and quality of the coffee. The ideal grind size depends on the brewing method being used, as different brewing methods require different grind sizes to extract the optimal flavors and aromas from the coffee.
Here are some general guidelines for grind size based on different brewing methods:
Coarse Grind: Coarse grind is used for brewing methods that require a longer extraction time, such as French press or cold brew. The larger particle size of the coarse grind allows for a slower extraction, which results in a full-bodied and less bitter coffee.
Medium-Coarse Grind: Medium-coarse grind is used for drip coffee makers with a flat bottom filter, and pour-over methods like Chemex. This grind size is slightly finer than coarse, which allows for a faster extraction and a more balanced coffee.
Medium Grind: Medium grind is used for drip coffee makers with cone-shaped filters, as well as for AeroPress and some pour-over methods. This grind size allows for a faster extraction than medium-coarse and produces a clean and bright coffee.
Medium-Fine Grind: Medium-fine grind is used for methods such as pour-over, AeroPress, and some espresso machines. This grind size allows for a slower extraction than medium and produces a sweeter and more complex coffee.
Fine Grind: Fine grind is used for espresso machines and Moka pots. The small particle size of the fine grind allows for a quick extraction, resulting in a bold and intense coffee.
Extra-Fine Grind: Extra-fine grind is used for Turkish coffee, which requires a very fine grind to extract the optimal flavors and aromas from the coffee.
It's important to note that the optimal grind size may vary depending on the specific coffee bean, roast level, and personal preferences. Experimenting with different grind sizes can help you find the perfect balance of flavor and aroma for your favorite brewing method.
There are many different methods for brewing coffee, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most popular coffee brewing methods:
Drip coffee maker: This is one of the most common ways of brewing coffee. It involves pouring hot water over ground coffee beans, which are held in a paper or metal filter. The water then drips through the filter and into a carafe or mug.
French press: A French press, also known as a press pot or plunger pot, is a simple and inexpensive way to brew coffee. It involves steeping ground coffee beans in hot water for several minutes, then pressing down a plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.
Pour-over: A pour-over method involves pouring hot water over ground coffee beans, which are held in a cone-shaped filter. The water is poured in a slow, steady stream, allowing the coffee to steep and drip into a carafe or mug.
Espresso: Espresso is a strong, concentrated coffee that is brewed under high pressure. It is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans using an espresso machine.
AeroPress: The AeroPress is a unique coffee brewing method that involves steeping ground coffee beans in hot water for a short period of time, then using a plunger to force the coffee through a paper filter.
Cold brew: Cold brew coffee is made by steeping ground coffee beans in cold water for several hours or overnight. The result is a smooth, rich coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk.
Each brewing method produces a different flavor profile, so it's important to experiment and find the method that works best for your tastes.
Below are some pictures from our trips to the Blue Mountains Jamaica, Guatemala and from an area close to our secondary home in Las Marias, Puerto Rico:
