How to find the coffee bean that suits you
The search for the perfect cup of coffee can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt. Some people travel the world in search of that golden happiness. It is not easy either, good coffee is the result of many factors that ensure a different coffee taste. Sometimes when buying coffee beans you can no longer see the forest for the trees. Fortunately, you are not alone in your search. We make it easier for you with these tips (or call it a treasure map for the real Coffee Pirate):
How are you going to use the coffee beans?
Before you start, think about what kind of coffee you often drink. Do you like espresso, cappuccino, 'regular' coffee or latte, pay close attention. Some coffee beans are better suited for espresso and others for regular coffee. If you are a real espresso drinker, a dark, Italian or French roast of an Arabica-Robusta mix is a good choice. The beans in these roasts are roasted for a long time and thus give a full and bitter coffee taste with a good crema. This is therefore perfect for your favorite espressos. Lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos all have an espresso base. Here you can also go for a dark roast or, if you like a fruitier taste, for a medium roast. Do you prefer a regular cup of coffee without frills? Then light or medium roasted coffee beans are a better option. You can choose from 100% Arabica beans (fruitier) or a mix of Arabica and Robusta (fuller). Because the beans are not roasted for long, they retain their sourness and fruity flavour and are 'easier' to drink.
What do you like?
The big question is of course: what is your personal preference? In addition to roasting, the origin of the coffee bean also has a great influence on the taste of your coffee.
Are your beans from Brazil? They are often sweeter.
Illy Arabica Selection Brazil coffee beans
Jones Brothers Italian Lover coffee beans
Caffè Molinari Rosso coffee beans
Caffé del Doge Rialto Classico coffee beans
If you go for a bean from Mexico, expect undertones of caramel or chocolate.
Jones Brothers The Big Shot coffee beans
Passalacqua Mexico coffee beans
Segafredo Selezione Organica coffee beans
Each country produces its own distinctive beans. The flavors are so different, we could write a separate guide about them. So we did: read more about the different flavors from all over the world here .
Many coffee packages say 'single origin'. This means that the beans come from one specific country or sometimes even plantation. However, many coffee brands mix beans to achieve a specific taste. For example, Lavazza mixes fruity Arabica coffee beans from South America with full Robusta beans from India in their Lavazza Gran Riserva blend. This mix creates a balanced coffee with an elegant taste.
Do you crave a lot, little or no caffeine?
Not entirely unimportant in the search for coffee is the caffeine content. Do you drink coffee to wake up in the morning or to enjoy in the evening, this difference can be important. Robusta coffee beans contain up to twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. Robusta coffee beans that are also lightly roasted contain the most caffeine. It goes without saying that dark roast Arabica beans contain the least caffeine. Of course, you also have decaf coffee beans. These are indeed simply coffee beans without caffeine. Perfect for after dinner or if you no longer need caffeine in your life.
Don't forget…
As you can see, finding the right bean is not easy. It is a matter of trial and error, and most of all, drinking many cups of coffee. Oh, the life of a coffee lover is hard!
