Coffee Bean

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Coffee

We can all agree on one thing, we love our coffee bean! Coffee wakes us up, smells amazing and has a flavor that is unmatched. Did you ever wonder where this amazing beverage came from? Where the coffee was grown? How it got from the “coffee tree” to your cup? How each of these steps effect the coffee’s flavor? Today we are going to try and answer these questions. (This topic is so massive I have included links to articles that expand on the key points in each step of of the coffee’s journey.)

Bean

The coffee bean is a cherry that comes from a bush or a tree. The other day we took a look at exactly what is coffee? Today we are going to look at it from the stand point of where does coffee come from? First lets look at it’s origin. Almost all coffee is grown in a specific range around the globe. Coffee thrives in a warm, humid environment and is grown between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.

Farm

The coffee farm is where the coffee starts and where it is grown, maintained and processed. The main things that affect the flavor of you coffee at this level come from its environment. Where it is grown, the elevation it is grown at, the quality of the soil, the type of bean, how it is maintained and the processing method all play a key factor in the flavor of your coffee.

After the farmer the next step in your coffee’s journey is either to a distributor or directly to the coffee roasting company.

Roaster

The coffee roaster is the next step in the process that has an effect flavor. This step is equally as important as the work the coffee farmer has put in at point of origin. I have tasted many coffees that should be amazing but because of a misstep in the roasting process ending up not living up to it’s potential. There are many factors, as we saw at Benettis, in this process including temperature, roasting type, length of roast and adjustments made throughout the process. Having an experienced roaster and the right equipment makes all difference in the world for a good tasting coffee bean.

Shop

This is the preparation phase of the coffee bean’s journey to your cup. If the other elements are perfect but the coffee is made incorrectly your end result won’t be good. The main factors that effect your coffee during it’s preparation are grind, water, freshness and temperature. If you get these right either at your point of purchase or at home your end result should be nothing less than amazing.

Cup

When the coffee finally makes it into your cup the truth is told whether or not everyone did their job correctly throughout the coffee’s long trip. It is also important to remember that everyone’s taste buds are different. A coffee that you might think is amazing might not be someone else’s first choice to brew up on a daily basis. Here are some easy steps to finding a coffee that is perfect for you and the steps to tasting coffee properly.

I hope you found this article informational. Please let me know if you have any questions below or if you have any additions to what effects the flavor of a coffee bean.  Here’s to learning about our favorite beverage! Cheers. c(_)

photos by: jacQuie.k and jimmyroq