Which Coffee Beans Are More Acidic? Which Coffee Beans Are Not Acidic? Is It Better for Coffee to Be More Acidic or More Bitter

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Choosing Coffee Based on Taste Preferences

As a coffee beginner, you might wonder whether you need something more acidic or with more fermentation notes. Perhaps you prefer something stronger in taste or milder in flavor. Based on these preferences and the flavor characteristics of different coffee processing methods, we can recommend the most suitable coffee for you.

If you prefer coffee beans with more acidity, choose washed beans such as Kenyan or Yirgacheffe (washed). If you prefer something richer and more full-bodied, select Mandheling (wet-hulled). For sweeter beans, natural-processed options like Red Geisha, Red Cherry, and other natural-processed beans, as well as Costa Rica honey-processed beans (sweet) are excellent choices.

Understanding Coffee Acidity

Many people mistakenly believe that sourness in coffee indicates staleness. In reality, coffee is naturally an acidic beverage. Whether coffee tastes acidic depends on the bean variety and roast level. The longer the roasting time, the higher the degree of caramelization, and the more acidic compounds are destroyed, resulting in less acidity. Conversely, shorter roasting times mean lower caramelization, preserving more organic acids in the coffee beans, which makes them more likely to taste acidic.

Additionally, brewing temperature affects acidity. Lower water temperatures more easily extract acidic compounds compared to higher temperatures. For those who dislike acidity, it's best to drink coffee while hot and avoid excessive stirring or prolonged保温, as the acidity becomes more pronounced as the temperature decreases.

Coffee acidity is not a standard for judging quality or freshness - it's entirely a matter of personal taste preference. If you dislike acidity, choose dark-roasted beans or Asian varieties. If you enjoy more acidic coffee, opt for light-roasted beans or African varieties. It all depends on personal preference.

Summary of Green Bean Processing Methods

Acidity: Washed > Semi-washed > Semi-natural > Honey > Wet-hulled > Natural

Sweetness: Natural > Honey > Semi-natural > Semi-washed > Washed > Wet-hulled

Production Risk: Wet-hulled / Natural > Washed / Honey > Semi-washed

Equipment Cost: Washed / Semi-washed > Semi-natural > Honey / Wet-hulled > Natural

Water Usage: Washed > Semi-washed > Semi-natural > Honey / Wet-hulled

Recommended Acidic Coffee Bean Brands

FrontStreet Coffee roasts acidic coffee beans including: washed Yirgacheffe coffee, Kenyan AA coffee, and Panama "Floral Butterfly" coffee, all of which offer excellent brand and quality assurance. More importantly, they offer exceptional value - a half-pound (227g) package costs only around 80-90 RMB. Calculated at 15g per pour-over coffee, one package can make 15 cups, with each specialty coffee costing only about 6 RMB. Compared to the dozens of RMB per cup typically charged in coffee shops, this offers exceptional value.

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. They also provide online services at https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473