These tips will help you find the perfect coffee for you:

The search for the perfect cup of coffee can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. There are people that will travel all over the world in search of liquid happiness. It’s not an easy journey because good coffee is the result of many factors. These factors have a big influence on the final taste. We understand finding the right coffee isn’t easy. Fortunately, you are not alone in your search. We will make your journey easier with these tips (or call them a treasure map for the real KoffiePiraat). This will help you find your favourite coffee:

  

How are you going to use the coffee beans?

You will have to start at the very beginning. Which type of coffee do you like to drink? There is a big difference between regular coffee, cappuccino or latte’s. Your type of coffee will determine if you are going to use Robusta or Arabica beans.

Real espresso fans should look for a dark Italian or French roast, a mix of Arabica-Robusta beans. The coffee beans have been roasted for a long time and thus give a full and bitter coffee taste with a good crema. Latte’s and cappuccinos use these espresso’s as their base.

 

Do you like a regular cup of coffee without taste-enhancers like milk or sugar? Then you should look for 100% Arabica beans that are light or medium roasted. It’s also possible to use a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans for a stronger body to your cup of Joe. Remember that the beans shouldn’t be roasted too long. The coffee beans will have their acidity, fruity taste and will be softer for your tastebuds.

 

 

What do you like?

The next step is very important: what is your personal preference. In addition to roasting, the origin of the coffee bean also has a major influence on the taste of your coffee. Coffee beans from for example Kenya are often sweeter. Are you going for an Altura bean from Mexico? Expect undertones of caramel or chocolate. Every country produces its own distinctive beans. The taste differs so much that we could write a separate guide about it.

 

There is also the concept of Single Origin coffee versus melanges. Single Origin coffee is coffee from one specific country or plantation. If you are going to mix these different coffee beans, you will get a new melange with a specific taste. Many coffee brands are mixing different beans for a balanced coffee with an elegant taste. For example, Lavazza mixes fruity Arabica coffee beans from South America with full Robusta beans from India in their Lavazza Gran Riserva blend. So before you buy coffee, look at the beans and their origin.

 

 

 

Do you want a lot, a little or no caffeine?

You’re almost there! There is just one question that we have to answer: how much caffeine do you want in your coffee? The caffeine content is not entirely unimportant in the search for coffee. Most people drink coffee to wake up. A cup of coffee after a meal also sounds good. But how do you make sure you don’t stay up all night?

 

Whén you drink your coffee can be an important factor in your decision. Robusta coffee beans contain up to twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. Robusta beans are also lightly roasted so they won’t lose their caffeine content. You can say that dark roasted Arabica beans contain the least caffeine, so they are perfect for in the evening.

These are not your only options, though. You can also choose decaf coffee beans. These are beans that produce coffee without caffeine. Perfect after dinner or if you don’t need caffeine in your life. 

 

 

 

Last but not least...

Finding the right coffee bean is not easy. It’s a matter of trying, falling and getting up again. You have to taste a lot of different cups of coffee to find the perfect bean or melange. Oh no, the life of a coffee lover is so hard!