The coffee bean is the basis of a tasty coffee. Only a high-quality bean guarantees the best coffee enjoyment. But how do you recognize a good coffee bean?
With a high-quality coffee bean for an enjoyable coffee
Unfortunately, bad coffee is still widespread. This is often due to the wrong preparation. However, the decisive factor for the special enjoyment of coffee is the coffee bean. If this is of inferior quality, even a high-quality fully automatic coffee machine from Kaffee Partner is of no use. The coffee tastes bland and the full-bodied aroma just doesn’t come through.
In contrast to many other foods, it is not so easy to distinguish high-quality products from inferior ones when it comes to coffee beans. In the ground state, it is almost impossible to assess the quality. You often have to rely on the information on the packaging, after all it is not a regional product. With our tips and tricks, it will soon be much easier for you to evaluate the quality of the coffee bean and thus create the best conditions for enjoyable moments.
The diverse world of coffee beans
About 40 different coffee beans are grown around the world. However, this variety is not popular in local supermarkets. Instead, two beans dominate the coffee shelf: the Arabica bean and the Robusta. With a market share of 60%, the Arabica bean is the most used coffee bean. It is considered a noble bean because it has a balanced caffeine and acid content. However, this does not mean that all Arabica beans are of high quality – there are differences in quality here too. However, so-called top coffees are almost all made from Arabica beans.
In addition to the type of coffee bean, the growing area also plays an important role. The country in which the coffee is grown is less important here. Instead, the height of the area comes into focus. Coffee made from beans that come from particularly high cultivation areas is referred to as highland coffee. In contrast, the lowland coffee comes from lower areas. The higher the growing area, the slower the bean ripens. This creates particularly fine aromas.
Factors to judge a quality coffee bean
Don’t compromise when buying your coffee beans. Use whole beans and avoid pre-ground coffee. Whole beans can be rated much better and at the same time promise a particularly aromatic coffee. Before preparing your coffee, examine the beans carefully.
Pay attention to the following factors:
pest infestation
fracture
mold growth
roasting
freshness
taste
As a fruit, the coffee bean is susceptible to pest infestation. It is easy to see whether your coffee bean has been attacked by pests during its growth. Small holes on the bean are an indication of pests. If the infestation is limited, this does not have to have a negative effect on the quality. Only when large parts of the harvest are affected is this an indication of incorrect cultivation conditions. Another factor is the breakage rate of the coffee. Of course, every bag of coffee contains a few broken beans. Coffee has traveled a long way, so this is often unavoidable. If more than 5% of the beans are broken, this indicates that the coffee beans were not picked by hand and may therefore be of lower quality.
Another factor that affects the quality of coffee beans is the correct roasting process. Drum roasting is of the highest quality, as particularly few bitter substances are formed here. Finally, freshness and taste also affect the quality of the coffee.
