Coffee lovers know just how much one cup-of-joe can differ from the next. Most of have accepted the fact that a few cafes just don’t know what goes into the perfect brew. Fortunately, some coffee shops and coffee catering services respect just how much goes into each cup.
Many factors go into coffee, other than which drive-thru it comes from. Get your espresso ready; it’s time to talk about what makes a high-quality coffee bean so special.
The King Bean: Arabica
Covering the differences between the various coffee beans on the market would take a blog post of its own, so let’s touch on the basics. When talking quality coffee, you’ll see the name Arabica thrown around. Bold and rich in flavor, Arabica takes the crown for one of the best beans to brew.
Although some may think coffee beans look the same, they taste very different. Remember; don’t judge a book by its cover.
Where are they from?
As with most things, it’s all about location. Coffee beans are sourced from all around the world but to get that particular flavor; you need specific conditions. Without getting too much into the science, let’s talk about how climate actually affects the growth of the coffee bean.
The higher-quality coffee bean we mentioned, Arabica, grows best between the consistent temperature of 64°F and 70°F, which is challenging to sustain in the United States. There’s a reason why cafes and coffee catering companies seek out blends of beans from around the world. You can’t rush perfection.
How about the roast?
After cultivating the perfect beans, it’s time to move on to the roast. The roast is a big part of what separates quality coffee from the rest. Since different lengths of time affect how the coffee roast will end up, this part might take a little bit of knowledge.
Shorter cook time = lighter roast, seems simple right? Unfortunately, without the right experience, spoiling the roast happens much more than people would like to admit.
At the end of the day, being aware of what makes certain coffee so special can make or break your event. Not knowing the right beans to brew for yourself or choosing a type that doesn’t suit your guest’s preferences will leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouth (literally).
