About Coffee
Coffee beans actually come from a cherry fruit that is red when fully ripened. Coffee trees produce these cherries in a cluster similar to grapes. Inside each cherry are two green coffee beans which are roasted to produce the coffee that we drink. Coffee is generally classified by two main categories: Arabica and Robusta. While Arabica is more expensive it offers a better flavor over the cheaper Robusta which has a more acidic quality. Brazil is the largest exporter of coffee in the world as they export both Arabica and Robusta however there are many regions of the world where coffee is grown and each has it's own characteristics. Coffee is grown mainly in areas south of the equator such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Sumatra, Java, Kenya, Ethiopia and others.
Many environmental factors contribute to the quality and flavor of coffee such as temperature, sunlight, weather, and soil make-up.
Coffee Storage tips
Coffee is best stored in a cool dry place in an airtight container. Never store coffee in a refrigerator or freezer as freezing can damage the coffee and storing in a refrigerator may lead to the coffee absorbing moisture and the odors and flavors of other things stored there.
Coffee Brewing Tips
- Clean coffee brewing equipment is essential in brewing a quality cup of coffee. Make sure your brewing chamber and holding vessel are clean before you start.
- Since coffee is comprised of 98% water, good water is very important. While spring water may offer great taste, it can be very hard on the brewing equipment causing it to develop scale and quickly block up. Regular tap water usually contains chemicals such as chlorine that can give an undesirable flavor. Filtered water is the best choice as is will provide a great taste as well as prolong your equipment life.
- The recommended brewing temperature of coffee for maximum extraction of flavor and aroma is 195-205 degrees with a brew time of 4 to 6 minutes for a drip coffee maker using 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water as a rule.
- Storing your coffee after it is brewed has a great impact on the amount of time it will be fresh. Coffee in a glass decanter sitting on a warmer will usually break down quickly (about 30 minutes) while fresh brewed coffee stored in a glass lined sealed thermal vessel will last much longer.
