Beginner's Guide to Coffee Bean Selection - Tips for Choosing Coffee Flavors

FrontStreet Coffee - Beginner's Coffee Selection

1. Coffee Bean Varieties

Currently, there are over 100 varieties 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. From a compositional perspective, 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 fruit acidity.

Additionally, Arabica has slightly lower chlorogenic acid content (5.5-8%). Chlorogenic acid not only provides antioxidant properties but is also an important component for resisting pests. Therefore, Arabica is more susceptible to pest damage and climate influences. It is generally grown at higher altitudes, producing fewer and slower-growing fruits. The fruit is oval-shaped.

2. Coffee Processing Methods

Several common processing methods include: natural, washed, honey, and barrel fermentation, which has become popular in the past year or so.

Natural: Coffee beans have rich fruit aromas, sweet aftertaste, and high body.

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

Honey: Coffee beans have a sweeter aftertaste, delicate fruit flavors, and high body.

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

The processing method is related to local natural conditions. If there is abundant sunlight and water scarcity in the area, natural processing methods will be more common. Conversely, washed processing methods 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 the net. The allowable error margin depends on the standards adopted.

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

In Brief:

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall, delighted to share knowledge about coffee with everyone. We share without reservation, simply hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, there are three low-discount coffee events every month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to enable more friends to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past 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