Ask any avid coffee drinker and they will easily compare coffee to water, as the drink they always need. We also think that coffee can have an almost inspirational effect when you find the right brew. And to help you understand what that is all about, we are sharing the factors that coffee lovers consider when they are buying their perfect cup of coffee.
The best thing about coffee is that it is not something standard that you either love or hate. With so many different options, there is an endless world of exploration waiting to be explored. To let you navigate around it like a pro, we are sharing some of the most liked coffees and the factors that coffee lovers choose to get there. All that lovely flavor and aroma that you can imagine in a perfect cup of coffee comes from logic and human preference. So, let us dive right in and start by seeing what the world of coffee has to offer.
Top Types of Coffee
Before we tell you how the pros choose their coffee, let us look at a few types of coffee beverages that have found global renown. These are all quite popular and have a lot of people who can vouch for their incredible taste and aromatic experience.
1. Café Americano
This is one of the drunkest coffees in the entire world. Made by adding hot water to an espresso shot, this is one of the most versatile coffees in existence. You can create a huge spectrum of taste and aroma by simply modifying the amount of water you add to it. A counterpart to this coffee is the Australian Long Black which reverses the process by extracting espresso directly into a hot cup of water.
2. Flat White
This type of coffee is one of the two most commonly photographed coffees in the world. The flat white is a combination of double shot espresso and milk. The milk is added in a frothy form which allows for a layer of silky microfoam to form on top of the coffee. However, unlike the other famous coffee cappuccino, the froth is much denser and has less foam to it. The origin of this coffee is still in dispute as to whether it came from New Zealand or Australia.
3. Cappuccino
Probably the most commonly consumed type of coffee after black coffee, cappuccino is a combination of espresso and frothy milk. The origin of cappuccino is believed to be in Austria where a coffee-based drink called “kapuziner” was served by the local coffee houses during the 18th century period. The drink then found its way to Italy and found further development, until it became a globally popular drink. The balance for liquid and froth, according to the Italians, should be more in the favor of froth.
4. Turkish Coffee
Considered by many to be the origin of all coffee consumption globally, Turkish coffee is a thick and rich flavored drink. It is made in a special pot called ibrik or cezve and it contains roasted beans, cold water, and sugar (optional). The concoction is put on low heat and almost brought to a boil, all the while creating thick froth. It is one of the most unique flavoring coffees and certainly worth trying.
Things to Consider When Buying Coffee
If you ask this question from a coffee enthusiast, you will probably never hear the end of the answer. While there are a lot of factors and preferences influencing this question, we want to stay objective. The following factors, when used properly, can easily help you find the perfect coffee for your needs. These factors are the ones that affect all types of coffee and should be a consideration, regardless of what your personal choice may be.
1. Fresh Roast
This one is quite self-explanatory, especially if you have ever had coffee made from freshly roasted beans. The fresher the beans are, the more aromatic and flavorful the coffee will be. Of course, that does not mean old coffees are bad. There are some myths saying coffee that is more than 2 weeks old is bad which is not true. But you should try to get as fresh a roast as possible. Experts suggest going for coffees that provide the roasting date on the packaging.
2. Type of Roast
Also referred to as a roast profile, this is the way coffee has been treated. Usually, you will find either an espresso roast or a filter roast. The names suggest that one of them is intended to be used with an espresso machine while the other is to be used in a coffee maker. Espresso roasts are usually much finer and caramelized for flavor enhancement. A filter roast will have less development and you will feel a much more acidic flavor as compared to an espresso.
3. Single Origin or Blended
In simple words, single-origin coffee comes from a single farm in a specific place whereas blends can have coffee beans coming from all over the world. The purpose of making single-origin coffee is to create a unique flavor that you will only get from that specific coffee. Blends on the other hand try to elevate your experience by combining multiple taste tones into one and hopefully create a synergetic experience.
4. Natural or Wet Processed
The coffee you get can either be naturally processed or “washed” to bring it to its final form. The latter removes the outer pulp from the coffee beans after which they are placed in tanks for fermentation before drying. This leads to an acidic flavor that creates a strong kick. Natural processing however retains the pulp throughout the drying of the coffee beans. This provides a much fruitier flavor and an incredible aroma.
All these factors are a guideline which allows an individual to decide what they want to get. Let us know what your favorite coffee turns out to be after using these factors.
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