Best Coffee Beans

A number of us go the shops and wonder which of the plethora of coffee beans are the best coffee beans. Choosing coffee beans depends on individual preferences, as each person has a different taste for their cup of early morning brew. I am a big fan of almond flavored coffee, but there are people who like their coffee strong. Similarly, some like to drink a hot cup of coffee, whereas there are others who prefer it cold, or to be more precise, they prefer it chilled.

Best Coffee Beans in the World

Regional climate in which the coffee beans are grown, is the most influential factor which decides the quality of the coffee beans. The climate conditions lend a distinctive and aromatic flavor to the coffee cherries. The following are some of the places where the good quality coffee beans are grown.

Coffee Beans from Kenya
The coffee beans produced along the shores of Lake Victoria in the Rift Valley in Kenya are said to be the best. This coffee is well nurtured by the farmers growing the coffee. Coffee beans from Kenya are graded as AA and they are sold in weekly auctions conducted by the Kenya's Coffee Board.

Arabica Coffee Beans
If your preferences tilt in favor of gourmet coffee, then Arabica coffee beans would be the best ones for you. These coffee beans are known to have the best aroma and spirit. In comparison with other coffee beans, the flavor of Arabica is superior and is more aromatic and richer. These coffee beans are produced in Yemen and Ethiopia and grow along higher altitude places, some growing at altitudes as high as 3000 feet. These coffee plants cannot grow or survive in places with low temperature or frost. Therefore, it is a meticulous job to grow these coffee beans, as they require a lot of attention and care.

Coffee Beans from Medellin
Coffee beans which come from Medellin in Colombia are also among the best in the world. They are slightly acidic, richer and also full bodied. These coffee beans lend a syrupy and sweet taste to the coffee.

Civet Coffee Beans
Civet coffee is produced on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Bali in the Indonesian archipelago, in Philippines, Vietnam and East Timor. The process of making this coffee is indeed unique. The Asian Palm Civet is fed the coffee berries. The civet eat the berries and the beans are passed through their system undigested. The beans so produced have a lot of demand in the world of coffee.

Hawaiian Coffee Beans
Very few are aware about the coffee produced in the Hawaiian islands. The quantity of coffee grown on these islands is indeed less, but the weather and soil conditions are excellent for growing coffee on the islands. The islands have volcanic ash soil, along with hot sun and also frequent showers, which makes it the perfect climate to grow coffee.

Quality coffee beans also come from Brazil, Colombia, Uganda, Mexico, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Indonesia and South and Central America. When the coffee beans from Indonesia, South and Central America are medium roasted, they lend a nutty sweetness to the coffee. Roasting makes the beans, which are green, lose their moisture and they expand when roasted at 200 degrees centigrade. This process causes change in color and the beans are caramelized. The longer the beans are roasted, more oil can be extracted from it and it results in bigger coffee beans.

How to Choose the Coffee Beans

Buy Coffee Beans at Gourmet Shops
The first and foremost step you will want to implement in choosing the best coffee is to stop buying coffee at the local supermarket. It is often very difficult to find the freshest beans in these supermarkets. The beans are usually pre-ground and they start losing their flavor in the oils that are released. You may want to choose a gourmet shop, where the coffee beans are not kept in open bins, but in air tight containers. Most gourmet shops can grind the beans for you on the spot, which helps in preserving the freshness as much as possible.

Buy Fresh Roasted Beans
It is recommended to buy freshly roasted beans. If you are not sure, you may want to take help from the shop attendants. The gourmet shops have a policy to roast fresh coffee beans frequently.

Buy Whole Beans
Another tip you would want to take note of is to buy intact whole beans. When the beans are fragmented, they lose their flavor oils. Whole beans are able to retain these oils, which lend taste to the coffee.

Buy Fresh and Good Smelling Beans
Very often, we look and smell the dish cooked and we are able to assess if the dish has indeed turned out good. The same rule applies when it comes to choosing coffee beans as well. If the coffee beans smell good and also look good, then you may not falter, as they will also taste good.

A Little Information About Coffee Roast

Usually coffee comes in three roasts: light, medium and dark roast. Depending on your taste, you can opt for any one of these roasts.

• Light roast coffee, also known as cinnamon roast, is pale brown and has a sharp acidic flavor.
• Medium roast, on the other hand, has a bittersweet flavor and the beans are brown in color.
• Dark roast, also known as Continental or Viennese roast, has dark brown or almost black color and rich flavor.

To choose coffee beans, you will have to do your groundwork well. You may also have to spend some extra time in choosing the right coffee beans. There is also a possibility where you may need to experiment buying coffee beans from a couple of gourmet shops before you are able to find your kind of coffee beans, but once you find it, you can relax with your favorite coffee.