What Coffee Beans to Buy for Beginners: A Guide to Selecting Beans Based on Different Taste Profiles

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FrontStreet Coffee - Beginner's Coffee Selection Guide

Only Look at Roasting Date, Not Expiration Date

First, we need to correct a concept for everyone: coffee beans are not better the fresher they are; they need a resting period. After the resting period comes the "optimal flavor period," and once that period passes, the coffee naturally becomes "expired." Generally, for single-origin beans, choosing those within one month after roasting is fine, unless the roaster's quality is really poor.

Beans freshly roasted will have their best flavor when opened about a week later. At this time, the roasted and smoky flavors have basically dissipated, and the inherent flavors of the coffee beans fully emerge—making it the perfect time for tasting. As for espresso beans, they tend to stabilize about two weeks after roasting. Beans within three months will taste very full in terms of freshness, aroma, and mouthfeel. However, once the flavor period has passed, they are no longer worth drinking; once past the expiration date, you should discard them more decisively.

Because coffee beans contain oils, and when these oil substances oxidize, they can easily produce aflatoxin, which has direct carcinogenic effects on the human body.

Merchant Recommendations Are for Reference Only—Choose What You Like

Sometimes merchant recommendations are very professional, but other times they might just be marketing gimmicks. So, whatever flavor of coffee you like, find a merchant that offers that flavor. For example, if you like washed Yirgacheffe—with its light floral notes, soft citrus acidity, and honey and cream chocolate aftertaste—you definitely won't be able to accept the bluntness of Mandheling, or even dislike the neutrality of Blue Mountain. If you're not sure whether this coffee is roasted to your taste, you can buy the smallest package to try. If conditions allow, you can also go to the shop to try samples, find several varieties you like, and then become a regular customer. Believe that the coffee shop will increasingly make coffee that matches your preferences.

When selecting coffee beans, the packaging capacity and material are very important. Light-proof packaging with one-way gas valves, eco-friendliness, and avoiding excessive packaging are things every coffee enthusiast should pay attention to. I've seen people sell coffee beans in glass bottles, and I guess everyone can only "hehe" at that. Because coffee beans are most afraid of oxygen, moisture, and sunlight.

After choosing the right material, if you don't open the purchased coffee, it can generally be stored at room temperature. If opened, it's recommended to drink it as soon as possible. If you really can't finish it all at once, please seal it with a sealing clip, put it in a fresh-keeping bag, and place it in the refrigerator to prevent flavor loss. As a beginner, if you can master the above principles for selecting coffee beans, believe that when you purchase coffee beans in the future, your thinking will be much clearer!

Knowledge Point

Arabica is one of the two very important varieties in the commercial coffee industry, with the other important variety being Robusta.

In Summary

FrontStreet Coffee is a dedicated coffee research establishment, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unrestrained sharing is purely to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee discount events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest prices. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for six years!

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473