What are the characteristics of African coffee beans and how to brew them for great taste? Stories from African coffee regions

Why Do African Coffee Beans Have Berry Aromas?

Do you pay attention to the type or origin of coffee beans when you drink coffee? Although there are many factors that affect coffee flavor—such as the degree of bean roasting, the grind size of coffee powder, and brewing temperature—these layers accumulate to create the cup of coffee before you. However, the most fundamental flavors can actually be glimpsed from the "origin"!

Coffee Bean Types and Regional Analysis

The world's coffee-producing regions are distributed in the areas north and south of the equator, also known as the "coffee belt." Among the coffee-producing regions, there are more than 10 varieties of coffee beans, but currently, the most common coffee bean types are only Arabica and Robusta.

In the early days before coffee became popular, due to limited channels for obtaining high-quality coffee beans, Robusta beans commonly grown in Asian regions were more prevalent. This type of bean is generally planted in lower altitude areas. Due to climate influences, the beans have lower fat and sugar content, and the taste is more bitter and intense, with not much flavor variation or characteristics.

Another type, Arabica beans grown in high-altitude regions, constitutes the vast majority of specialty coffee beans on the market. Because they grow in higher altitude areas, their growth rate is slower, allowing them to develop beans with complete flavor profiles. Therefore, overall, Arabica beans have a sweeter, smoother taste with rich fruit aromas, making them popular among coffee enthusiasts.

Although common coffee beans can be divided into the two categories mentioned above and their characteristics summarized, in reality, coffee bean flavor is affected not only by altitude but also by soil, monsoons, climate changes, and other factors that cause taste variations. Therefore, the flavors of coffee beans from each country and estate are different. You can first use a world map to find your favorite bean flavors, and if interested, further study the beans produced by different estates in that country. This will help you find coffee that suits you more efficiently.

Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, etc.) is the origin of coffee, so there are more varieties, with generally more wild aromas and strawberry or blueberry aftertastes.

FrontStreet Coffee's African Coffee Bean Characteristics:

Yirgacheffe

Flavor description: Floral and refreshing citrus aroma, smooth and rich acidity with sweet fruit notes, accompanied by fresh wild berries, stevia, honey, cocoa, lemon, and other flavors.

Sidamo

Flavor description: Sweet lemon, orange peel, wild ginger, and other aromas, with a fresh and gentle syrupy mouthfeel, accompanied by various fruit aromas and floral notes, with rich and varied layers.

Kenya

Flavor description: Green apple and berry flavors with caramel and coffee berry sweetness, bright aroma, crisp and sweet taste, smooth and refreshing on the palate.

Burundi

Flavor description: Has peanut skin aroma and bright fruit acidity.

Geisha Village

Geisha Village is a coffee-producing area that has suddenly emerged in recent years, located in Bench Maji. Only Geisha variety coffee is grown here.

Flavor description: Unlike Panamanian Geisha, the Geisha here has obvious African regional characteristics, with bright lemon and citrus acidity, jasmine floral aroma, and sugarcane sweetness.

FrontStreet Coffee's Brewing Parameters for African Coffee Beans:

V60/90℃/1:15 ratio/Time: two minutes

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473