How we pick our products
Waking up in the morning, preparing the coffee pot and waiting for the coffee to be ready while enjoying the aroma that is released during the process is a great satisfaction without a doubt. Chances are, if you are reading this article, it is because you are also a lover of this delicious beverage. However, do you know how to differentiate between the different types of beans, or what the different roast levels are due to?
We want to help you expand your knowledge on the subject, and at the same time, help you make the right choice depending on your tastes and needs. In this article we provide you with relevant information and show you everything you need to know before buying a packet of coffee.
Contents
Summary
- This is a drink that has a wide variety of uses: from social, for appointments and events, as a nervous system booster to start the day or during the course of the day, thanks to its stimulating properties.
- Key elements of its effectiveness directly influence users’ expectations: whether it is arabica or robusta, or whether it is ground or in beans. The first two options are key.
- Important factors when purchasing them are their packaging, which can have a greater or lesser amount of content, their colour, which should be dark, and their origin, as there are areas of the country and the world that are better at creating them. The softness of the powder is determined by its density.
The Best Coffee: Our Picks
Buying guide
Although it may seem simple, the data to be considered should not be underestimated in order to make an intelligent choice of coffee. Therefore, the best thing to do is to check what we are talking about, however obvious it may seem. With this in mind, we offer you this buying guide.
What is coffee and what are its benefits?
Coffee is a consumable native to the tropics, and it is the fertile lands of the Americas that are generally considered best for growing it. In this sense, Mexico and Colombia have historically stood out as great exporters of the item that has given them international fame and makes them recognised as the best in this field.
Arabica or Robusta coffee – what should you pay attention to?
Arabica coffee. The variety best valued internationally for its recognised flavour and fragrance. This type is characteristic of America and some Asian countries, and it is in both places where it is best grown and where the best known manufacturers, such as Tresso or Solo Dios, come from.
Robust coffee. Of African origin, it is widely cultivated in Asia and Brazil. This variant is not highly valued due to the fact that its taste is bitter and acidic, not suitable for delicate palates. The amount of sugar or milk needed for this type of coffee is usually higher and, in addition, its strong effects are another element to consider.
| Arabica | Robust | |
|---|---|---|
| Acidity | Low | It is very acidic |
| Bitterness | It is bitter, but does not hinder the taste | Very bitter |
| Fragrance | Intense and penetrating | Intense aroma |
Ground coffee or coffee beans?
Ground coffee. This is the typical form in which the consumable is sold and consumed by people. Usually the companies that market this do so in ground form. Ground may have additives, such as preservatives, which alter the purity and delicacy of the flavour.
Coffee beans. It is little known and difficult to find this type, but it is highly valued by large coffee consumers. This type has no chemicals to alter them and must be ground before drinking.
| Ground | In beans | |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity of aroma and flavour | Low, lost when ground | High, preserved as long as in beans |
| Durability | Up to 1 month | Up to 2 months |
| Preservatives | Yes | No |
Other details refer directly to the heaviness, which is often greater, but is compensated for by the fact that once the fruits are broken, the amount of product that usually comes out is considerably greater.
Buying criteria: factors that allow you to compare and rate different coffee models
Naturally, the versatility and performance of something consumed depends to a large extent on the customer’s expectations. The user is advised to always reserve some attention to this because there are species of coffee clearly and objectively worse than others. These are some nuances that should be known.
- Packaging
- Colour
- Region of origin in Mexico
Packaging
There are bags that have greater or lesser capacity, and this is elementary to be able to know if you are acquiring something that has a good relationship in reference to its performance and its cost. But it is not only about the size of the package itself, but also about other details, such as the material and the presentation.
Bottles. These can be glass (preferably) or plastic, and the lids can be screw-on, snap-on or flip-top. This is a much more versatile presentation, as you can store it easily and re-use the container later. We recommend an airtight lid to preserve the aromas.
Pouches. These are popular packaging because they are cheaper, but they are not recommended if you want to preserve the aroma and flavour of your coffee, as even the ones that offer sealing are never completely airtight.
Colour
The colour of the coffee depends a lot on how it was treated before the customer gets his hands on it. This treatment, of course, has a great impact on the quality of the coffee, as it can affect the aroma and taste of the coffee. In this section, it is important to know whether the purchased item is in beans or ground, as in both cases, the colouring is different.
If it is intact, it should be a very dark colour, which lightens as it is ground. However, as a general rule, this powder will be substantially more opaque than that which can be bought in this state. The latter, the crushed ones, should have a deep brown, almost woody shade to be really good.
Region of origin in Mexico
Chiapas and Veracruz stand out as places where this type of consumables are made with a high quality, with several of the most recognised brands from these places. Several of them have even managed to become embedded in the international market, giving it a native stamp that makes these places globally recognised as coffee growers.
Be that as it may, it is vital that those who wish to buy good coffee take into account where it comes from. Discerning palates will be delighted to explore the latitudes where it is best made.
(Featured image photo: Worachai Yosthamrong / 123rf)
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