Before you drink a cup of coffee there are people whose job it is to work produce the coffee as you know it.
Before coffee even gets onto a boat it is graded by people who are employed to look at the coffee and assess its worth. A Green coffee seller is the person that does this job.
Beans are carefully examined for a number of traits.
The graders will look to check that the beans are a uniform size and shape. If these are different shapes then the roast could be uneven. Smaller beans will roast quicker than larger ones. This is why it's important to check that all of the beans are of a similar size.
The graders will also check the color of the beans. If the beans have an uneven color then this suggests that the beans have not been dried properly. It could also suggest that these beans are from different plantations which again isn't desirable as it can change the roasting process.
The beans should be separated so that they are all grown by the same plantation so that the best result can be achieved. The beans must be picked, processed and dried before they can even be roasted.
It's best if you can get the beans processed as soon as possible after they have been harvested. If you don't process them quickly then they will start to ferment, by drying the beans out you are stopping this happening.
Lots of bean producers put the beans into water in order to separate out any bad beans as these will float at differing levels in the water. A better quality of bean is produced if the beans are dry roasted.
Dry processed beans have a silver skin. If this skin can be removed by simply rubbing the bean then it's fine. If other ripe beans have this silver skin which cannot be removed by rubbing then it will create a bitter coffee.
Drying coffee beans isn't easy either. A lot of effort is put into drying the beans as quickly as possible. Some beans are dried quicker by using mechanical methods however these do not produce as good a result. By drying the beans too quickly can create an uneven color.
Beans should be dried on a rock or concrete slab in order to dry the skin out. They can then be mechanically dried. More expensive beans will be dried much slower which creates a very even color with the perfect moisture content.
Graders also look for a few other important things.
If the beans have not been dried properly then they can have a white edge. This would produce a flavorless cup so graders will keep an eye out for this.
Arabica coffee beans should be even in color and have a bright appearance. Graders will also check the smell of beans, they should have a fresh aroma which doesn't have any tinges of smoky flavors.
Well, if you're fond of the common supermarket variety of coffee beans, then chances are that you're right. It isn't such a big deal. But once you have tried the real good coffee beans you will understand why so many people go to such lengths just to find the perfect beans for the perfect cup of coffee.
So where do you start?
When it comes to good coffee, there's no better place to start than what the experts say is a good place to start. But make no mistake. Their words are no bible. However, they do give you some idea on how to go about taking your first tentative step towards genuinely good coffee.
First, you need to learn that freshly roasted and ground coffee beans are what make a superior cup of coffee. You can never go wrong with fresh beans. In fact, the underlying philosophy is: the fresher the beans, the better. Just try it and you'll be surprised to find how a few fresh coffee beans can transform your favorite cup of java into a fantastic gastronomic experience.
Next, where do you find fresh coffee beans? You may get lucky and stumble upon a few bags in the supermarket. But if you want to be certain that you are getting fresh, good quality beans, then start at your local specialty or gourmet stores. The salespeople at these stores are usually very knowledgeable about coffee and helpful to the extent that they may allow you to taste before buying anything.
But how do you know if they're good?
Well, for one thing good coffee beans are never splintered or broken. They should be whole and well-shaped. If you encounter a bin or bag of splintered or broken beans, then put it right back where you found it and look for another.
It's quite possible that you won't find any helpful salesperson around, especially if you're doing your shopping at a supermarket. If that's the case, then you have to learn to trust your own eyes and nose.
Okay, so now you know that good coffee beans are whole and well-shaped, but what about the smell? They smell good, period. That's all you need to know. It has to do with gut instinct, similar to how you'd know right away that the milk has gone sour when you smell it.
Coffee beans that have gone bad will smell just a bit off and you'll recognize that smell, even if you're a novice.
Both Vince Paxton & Jill Sabato are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.