How Beginners Should Choose Coffee Beans - Flavor Selection Tips

FrontStreet Coffee Shares How Beginners Can Choose Coffee Beans

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

1. Types of Coffee Beans

Currently, there are over 100 types of coffee in the world, with the two most common being Arabica and Robusta/Canephora. These two coffees differ significantly in taste, composition, and growing conditions. Below, we will compare the differences between them.

Arabica: Expensive, smooth taste, low caffeine content

In terms of composition, Arabica has lower caffeine content (0.9-1.2%), 60% more fat than Robusta, and twice the sugar content. Consequently, Arabica tastes sweeter and smoother, with a plum-like acidity.

Additionally, Arabica has lower chlorogenic acid content (5.5-8%). While chlorogenic acid provides antioxidant properties, it's also an important component for resisting pests. Therefore, Arabica is more susceptible to pest damage and climate influences. It is typically grown at higher altitudes, produces fewer fruits, and grows more slowly. The fruits are elliptical in shape.

2. Coffee Processing Methods

Several common processing methods include: natural (sun-dried), washed, honey, and barrel fermentation, which has become popular in the past year.

Natural (Sun-dried): Coffee beans have rich fruity aroma, sweet aftertaste, and full body.

Washed: Coffee beans have fruity or floral aromas, moderate acidity, and lighter body.

Honey Process: Coffee beans have a sweeter aftertaste, delicate fruity aroma, and full body.

Barrel Fermentation: Coffee beans have certain connections to corresponding wine aromas, such as brandy or whiskey, with moderate body and lower acidity.

The processing method is related to local natural conditions. If the local area has abundant sunshine and lacks water, the natural processing method will be more common. Conversely, the washed processing method will be more prevalent.

3. Coffee Bean Grades

The purpose of coffee bean grading is to provide a general benchmark for trading. Currently, there is no universally accepted coffee bean grading method worldwide. The grading names and criteria are actually determined by each producing country.

Identification Standards: Take 300g of green beans and screen them through metal sieves with different hole sizes. The basic unit is 1/64 inch, called "mesh," used to screen coffee beans with sieves ranging from 8-20 mesh, which is 8/64-20/64 inches (approximately 3-8 millimeters). The smaller the number, the larger the hole. Typically, beans below 14 mesh have no opportunity to become specialty coffee.

During the screening process, there will naturally be some that slip through, and the margin of error depends on the standards adopted.

Choose Your Coffee at FrontStreet Coffee

At FrontStreet Coffee, you can choose coffees from different countries, regions, and with various flavor profiles. Here, you can select based on your flavor preferences - whether you like fruity and floral aromas, rich flavors, or balanced profiles, you can find them all here. Additionally, there are coffee events every month with significant discounts. When shopping online, make sure to look for the name FrontStreet Coffee.

The price of daily coffee beans starts as low as 9.9/100g, aiming to let coffee enthusiasts enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price while spreading the culture of specialty coffee, allowing more coffee lovers to buy affordable and delicious coffee.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473