Coffee bags contain a lot of information such as origin, roast type, and varietals. Sometimes it's not totally clear what some of the terms mean and which coffee is the right option for you. This guide aims to help you make the right choice.
There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are higher quality with more complex flavours, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste. Most specialty coffees use Arabica beans.
Geography
Where coffee is grown will affect its taste. Similar to how terroir functions in the world of wine. Coffees from Brazil tend to have lower acidity and have chocolatey tasting notes, whereas a Mexican coffee often has a delicate body and a gentle sweetness and fruitiness. Altitude also impacts the taste as well. High grown coffees have a more acidic flavour, while lower grown coffees are more associated with chocolate & nut flavours.
Processing
Coffee processing methods massively impact flavour. "Washed" processing produces a clean, bright flavour. "Natural" processing results in a fruity, complex flavour. "Honey" processing falls in between, producing a sweet, syrupy flavour.
Lighter roast colours are more acidic with floral flavours. Medium roasts have balanced acidity with a sweeter caramel taste. Dark roasts are richer with notes of dark chocolate and nuts. We put our coffees on a roast scale from 1-5, with our lightest roasts at 1 and our darkest at 5.
Examples
Here are some examples of how these elements come together:
- Lightly roasted washed Ethiopian coffee: Best for pour-over brewing. Flavours of lime, vanilla, and white tea.
- Dark roasted natural Indian coffee: Best for espresso brewing. Full-bodied flavours of dark chocolate and spices.
- Medium roasted honey processed coffee from Costa Rica: Best for aeropress or french press brewing. Sweetness and medium body with subtle fruity notes.
Brew Methods
There are many ways to brew coffee at home, and no ‘correct’ or ‘best’ way. We suggest a number of options in our ‘Choosing Equipment’ blog to help guide you. If you’d like a great starting point to brewing coffee at home, feel free to examine our ‘Brew Guides’ for your chosen method.
