If you ask two people what the best coffee is, you will more than likely get two different answers. This is because everyones taste buds are different and what you like may not be palatable to someone else. However, there are some common things to look for to find the best coffee bean for your cup of coffee.
Before you do anything, make sure you go out and get a coffee bean grinder. Getting pre-ground coffee is doing nothing more than settling for second best. It doesnt matter how good the coffee is, if you get it in anything other than a whole bean, you are taking away from the true flavor and setting for second best.
You should also be buying the beans in a vacuum sealed bag. If they are not sealed in this manner, the air will continue to break down the bean and over time, its natural flavors will diminish. You should also invest in a foodsaver system so you can reseal the beans after you have opened them up.
Once you start looking at the actual beans, try and stick with Arabica beans for the best flavor. This has a much smoother and well rounded flavor than the Robusta bean. Most big name coffee shops as well as the neighborhood gourmet shops will use this type of coffee bean for their brews.
This is not to say that you will not see Robusta beans featured. However, it has a definitive bitter taste to it. It was very popular a few decades ago when the coffee machines were not as good as they are today. But there is now no need to suffer through such a rough tasting cup of coffee with the capabilities of the machines today.
The final consideration is not a must, but something to look for none the less. If you have the ability to get coffee beans as they are coming out of the roaster, take advantage of it. There is no better bean than one that immediately comes out of the roaster, gets sealed in the bag and then goes home with you. Getting them that fresh will definitely make a difference.
There is no full proof bean that will make everyone happy. As we said, what one person likes, another will not. It may take some trial and error, but keep these tips in mind and you will have a much better chance of finding the perfect bean.
Before you do anything, make sure you go out and get a coffee bean grinder. Getting pre-ground coffee is doing nothing more than settling for second best. It doesnt matter how good the coffee is, if you get it in anything other than a whole bean, you are taking away from the true flavor and setting for second best.
You should also be buying the beans in a vacuum sealed bag. If they are not sealed in this manner, the air will continue to break down the bean and over time, its natural flavors will diminish. You should also invest in a foodsaver system so you can reseal the beans after you have opened them up.
Once you start looking at the actual beans, try and stick with Arabica beans for the best flavor. This has a much smoother and well rounded flavor than the Robusta bean. Most big name coffee shops as well as the neighborhood gourmet shops will use this type of coffee bean for their brews.
This is not to say that you will not see Robusta beans featured. However, it has a definitive bitter taste to it. It was very popular a few decades ago when the coffee machines were not as good as they are today. But there is now no need to suffer through such a rough tasting cup of coffee with the capabilities of the machines today.
The final consideration is not a must, but something to look for none the less. If you have the ability to get coffee beans as they are coming out of the roaster, take advantage of it. There is no better bean than one that immediately comes out of the roaster, gets sealed in the bag and then goes home with you. Getting them that fresh will definitely make a difference.
There is no full proof bean that will make everyone happy. As we said, what one person likes, another will not. It may take some trial and error, but keep these tips in mind and you will have a much better chance of finding the perfect bean.
About the Author:
Arthur Cundy is a coffee lover and the writer of one of the best coffee blogs in the business. For more information on coffee and tips on finding the best coffee, check out Cafe-List.com.
