When ordering coffee at a coffee shop, you can ask not only the usual “latte, two sugars, hazelnut syrup”, but also ask the barista about the types of coffee he uses. Knowing more about the varieties and characteristics of coffee, you can try new flavors of your favorite drink without fear that you will not like it at all, and, on occasion, surprise your friends with unexpected knowledge about coffee. For example, you might talk about how unroasted coffee beans have a longer shelf life, which means they can retain their aroma longer. In addition, green coffee can come from farms that do not roast coffee, which means that the finished drink will have a unique taste. You can read more about coffee from such farms on festcoffeemission.com.
The barista will tell you that there are two main types of coffee, and that due to the demanding growing conditions, Arabica beans will cost more, but will also be worth the money due to the low caffeine content and high acidity, which allows the beans to develop a complex bouquet of flavors. In addition, even in the neighboring countries of Latin America, Arabica coffee beans will have different characteristics:
- fruity, chocolate and caramel notes of coffee beans from El Salvador;
- soft taste and chocolate notes of Honduranian coffee beans;
- rich sour taste and fruity notes of coffee from beans grown in Colombia;
- notes of citrus and caramel, as well as the nutty and chocolate flavor in beans grown in the Costa Rica;
- balanced taste with crisp acidity and a hint of nutty and chocolate flavor in Mexican coffee.
Robusta beans have a higher caffeine content, so coffee from them will be stronger. If you buy a mix of Arabica and Robusta, get ready to add some more water to your coffee. The Vietnamese, who drink pure Robusta, balance the taste of the drink with sweetened condensed milk. In addition, you can ask about Brazilian coffee: this is the largest supplier of coffee in the world, and both Robusta and Arabica are grown in the country, so in any Brazilian blend you are provided with coffee with low acidity and chocolate and nutty notes in the taste.
You can start by ordering an espresso from the blend you are interested in, and then, having tasted the drink well, note for yourself if you liked any undertones in its flavor. And so like that, cup by cup, you will find your perfect drink.